Why You Should Consider Abandoning Full Frame and APS-C and Go for Something More Extreme

Why You Should Consider Abandoning Full Frame and APS-C and Go for Something More Extreme

There are good arguments for photographers walking away from full frame/FX and APS-C/DX, instead going for medium format and Micro Four Thirds (MFT). This may be where cameras are heading in the future anyway.

Before you raise your hackles, hear me out. I should start by saying there is nothing wrong with your camera. All big brands make great models, and if what you own is probably perfect for your purposes. I’m not going to argue with that. Furthermore, if you are a competent photographer, I am sure you will be able to adjust your shooting techniques for getting the best out of any system you use. I also understand that you have invested a lot in the system you use and have an interest in it not becoming obsolete.

However, if you are thinking of changing your camera system for any reason, and there are a multitude of reasons why people do, or you are considering buying an interchangeable lens camera for the first time, then please mull over what I have to say.

The most compelling photography usually happens when we push parameters to extremes. Very fast and very slow shutter speeds typically produce better results than those that sit in the middle. Super wide-angle and telephoto lenses regularly bring us more exciting images. High- and low-key images look great, as do those with a lot of contrast and very little. Then, photos shot at low level or very high up generally hold more interest than those taken at eye level. When we shoot between those extremes, the photographs can become, for want of a better word, meh.

Shooting outside normal parameters can make images more interesting.

Challenging the conventions of the herd and shunning the commonplace can enhance your creativity, letting you stand out against the rest.

Therefore, should we consider choosing interchangeable lens cameras at the largest and smallest end of the range? If so, pushing the boundaries means that, instead of full frame and APS-C, we should think about the medium format and Micro Four Thirds.

I can already hear the steam coming from under your collar, but let me explain further.

The Argument Against Full Frame and For Medium Format

Again, I reiterate that images shot with any camera can be superb. There’s nothing wrong with the full frame you have. It's well made, and you take superb photos with it.

Nevertheless, the results of images best suited to larger sensor cameras are not the same on full frame as can be achieved with a medium format camera. Moreover, medium format is relatively rare, whereas full frame cameras, while maybe not 10-a-penny, are widespread. Shoot with a medium format camera, and the result has a greater chance of uniqueness.

Then, on top of that, there is the price overlap, which is growing. Medium format cameras are coming down in price. A Fujifilm GFX 50S II retails at $3,999 while a Canon EOS R5 is only $100 less, while the EOS R3 is $2000 more. Additionally, the physical size of medium format cameras is shrinking, making them more versatile in the field; the GFX 50S II (149.9 x 104.1 x 86.4 mm) is about the same size as a Canon 5D Mark IV (150.7 x 116.4 x 75.9 mm).

Yes, there are some functionality differences, and the overall cost of a medium format system is more. Nevertheless, If you've been arguing in favor of full frame over crop frame cameras, then, logically, the same arguments apply to medium format over full frame. Therefore, you should upgrade.

The Argument Against APS-C and for Micro Four Thirds

Here's looking at the other end of the sensor-size scale and why Micro Four Thirds (MFT) may push other crop sensor formats from the market. Getting back to my introduction, this is about taking advantage of the extremes, and like medium format, MFT is an extreme.

I want you to forget the boring arguments from the usual detractors of crop frame cameras. They are usually driven by two factors: justification for their own more expensive choice and commercial interest. The arguments are skewed too, only presenting the supposed disadvantages and none of the advantages of crop frame systems.

Moreover, their criticisms aimed at MFT are invariably based on comparisons with a full frame. But that is comparing apples and oranges. A better comparator would be with other crop-sensor formats, such as APS-C and Nikon’s DX.

Just like the comparison between full frame and medium format, a big advantage of MFT is that their images are rarer than those shot with the ubiquitous APS-C cameras. This difference will help your photos stand out from the crowd.

Photos that look different from the rest stand out.

There is not a huge difference in sensor size between MFT and APS-C. But because MFT is slightly smaller, it is more capable of taking advantage of the crop factor benefits.

What are the system's advantages? Firstly, it is the reduced perspective, bringing background subjects closer to the foreground for any given focal length. That crop factor also means that the same focal length can be used to achieve a greater effective magnification, thus allowing wildlife photographers to get closer to the subject with physically smaller lenses. Similarly, macro shooters have a greater magnification too. 

You will often hear the uneducated complaint about the depth of field (DOF) at particular f-stops of MFT cameras. However, DOF is only partially affected by the aperture. Proximity to the subject, focal length, plus viewing size of the image also have a bearing. MFT just needs a different way of working, and you can say the same about any system. There are fast lenses with great-looking bokeh available at all focal lengths; MFT shooters can and do blur their backgrounds.

Shot with Micro Four Thirds (OM-D E-M1). The crop factor effectively magnifies the subject within the frame, and out-of-focus bokeh is achievable (190mm at f/5.6).


Additionally, we photographers don’t always want the shallowest depth of field; just because you have an f/1.2 aperture doesn’t mean you will be shooting at that setting. For example, with a portrait, we may want the whole face in focus and not just the eyes. There are also times when we want to add background detail for context, and MFT can do this at a wider aperture. Then, with landscapes, we often want back-to-front sharpness, something that's easier to achieve at a wider aperture with MFT.

With the massive advances in modern sensor technology, the image quality of MFT is so good that any real-world differences in quality between it and APS-C are redundant. After all, look at the excellent quality of modern cell phones. Their sensors are far smaller than MFT, yet for a few photographic genres, people are shooting more than adequate photos with them.

If you want further convincing, look at the photographs taken by the top pros that use Micro Four Thirds. For example, in Joe Edelman's photography, you would be hard-pressed to tell his photos apart from those shot on any other system.

On top of all that, there are the practicalities and ergonomics of shooting. The MFT system brings huge advantages in size and weight. With the aging population, a smaller, lighter system that delivers outstanding results is massively appealing. This advantage doesn’t just apply to older photographers. Having previously worked in outdoor education, I know mountain guides, sailors, canoeists, and hikers who happily carry the rugged, weather-sealed, and diminutive OM-D cameras on their adventures.

The small size and weight of MFT make the cameras great for genres as diverse as travel, landscape, wedding, wildlife, and photojournalism, plus everything in between. Their discreteness suits street photographers too; larger systems become obvious and can get in the way.

Will Canon and Nikon Catch Up?

Sadly, for their dedicated fans, it will probably take time for Canon and Nikon to catch up. Historically, those brands were regularly late to the game in adapting to the latest advancements. They were behind in adopting mirrorless, slow implementing in-body image stabilization, and, even now, Canon hasn’t restyled their cameras to the more attractive modern look that even Nikon has finally embraced with the Z fc.


Moreover, when they have finally made changes, the results from those brands have, at times, seemed rushed and inadequate. The Nikon 1 system was a flop, and the Canon R5 was brought to market with an overheating problem.

So, let’s hope, if they do ever swap to medium format or even MFT, they learn the lessons of their past and don't launch before they have properly tested their cameras.

Back in 2017, Sony was believed to be developing a medium format camera with a curved sensor, and new patents for the design of lenses have been trickling in ever since. If that happens, and Nikon and Canon don't catch up soon, they will either miss the boat or rush out another poorly conceived model. I wonder if there will be any other surprise announcements around the corner from other brands.

Thinking out of the Box About Camera Systems

Do you shoot full frame? If so, are you tempted to switch to medium format now that they are becoming more affordable? Or, if you were starting afresh, would you reject medium format in favor of full frame/FX? Alternatively, has the convenience and the quality of contemporary cameras in the smaller MFT system already made you abandon a larger format?

If you managed a camera brand, and in the context of the rapidly-shrinking market, would you take notice of the steady leakage of customers to both the bigger and smaller formats, would you be pushing your research and development department to change tack? Would medium format and MFT be in your game plan?

There are, of course, counterarguments for my point of view. As always, I welcome a friendly discussion about that in the comments. Thanks for reading.

If you're passionate about taking your photography to the next level but aren't sure where to dive in, check out the Well-Rounded Photographer tutorial where you can learn eight different genres of photography in one place. If you purchase it now, or any of our other tutorials, you can save a 15% by using "ARTICLE" at checkout. 

Ivor Rackham's picture

Earning a living as a photographer, website developer, and writer and Based in the North East of England, much of Ivor's work is training others; helping people become better photographers. He has a special interest in supporting people with their mental well-being through photography. In 2023 he became a brand ambassador for the OM System

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The GH5 with this lens is a good deal, but not cheap. It is also not a small combination, nor lightweight.The lens on this camera should be considered equivalent to a 24-120 at F5.6-8.0 in full frame in terms of DOF, Bokeh and Noise. But you simply cannot get the results of a full frame 85mm F1.8 on an MFT. I once loved the Lumix GX95 with the 42,5mm F1.7, because it was excellent, cheap and small. This camera is not small and not cheap. Now I prefer the additional options that FF gives me. And even in the APS-C range, I think there are better options.

What utter rubbish. I have both GFX and X Mount Fuji systems. There are subjects that will be improved with medium format, but only recognized by pros and appreciated by a very select public. if then. What is glaring in this fable is the 4x weight and necessity for sticks unless you have either lots of light or strobes for hand holding medium format. No it’s not the bodies, it’s the lenses like all medium format. They add pounds to a rig and it’s not comfortable. Yes, my old Sinar/Linhof/ Hasselblad days are dear to my heart but size mattered with film. Size continues to matter less and AI more. There’s very little difference between a high end full frame and an affordable GFX platform. If you have the money and want even more weight, jump up to the mortgage or trust fund of Phase One or Sinar medium format. . But you’ll still be tied to sticks and a huge carry with even a couple of lenses. Camera formats are only as effective as the market they serve and unless you’re shooting Patek or Rolls Royce or have a show at MOMA,, you simply don’t need it. 99% of postings never realize the beauty of a medium format image and if the writer believes other brands will pop up with medium format, he’ll be waiting.. a long time…

You lost me at "What utter rubbish."

Why stop at MFT? Nikon had the CX format cameras with 1” sensor and a 2.7 crop factor and lenses from (equivalent) 18 to 810mm. The last model, the J5, had a 20MP Sony chip, and the earlier V3 “pro” model was 18.4. The 70-300 (189-810) zoom is small and light weight (19.4oz) compared with the 5 pound Nikon 200-500 zoom (300-750 on a DX ASP-C body). But the last models were released in 2015 and the line was killed in 2018.

Hi Robert, yes, because it is an obsolete format, that's the reason I didn't include it. It's a pity. But, there wasn't a big take-up; the competition was too steep.

MFT is no more "obsolete" than APS. And, it has a much larger selection of native lenses. When was the last time we got an APS sensor with more than 24MP? It was just one, the Samsung NX500, six years ago. Samsung subsequently quit the camera business.

Nice! Thank you for that, Ivor!

I switched from full-frame to Micro Four Thirds. The last full-frame device I had (still have, and still shoot!) was the Olympus OM-4Ti. :-)

But I still haul out the Linhof Super Technika from time to time. That's my new "full frame!"

First... The Zfc is a "modern look"? Think that was a word stumble.

Second, as someone who uses Pentax Q, M4/3, and GFX alongside half-frame, 35mm, 6x6 and 6x9 film... Every format has its own balance of strengths and weaknesses. Smaller sensor is more portable and lighter, larger is better quality - just find a happy middle ground you're comfortable with and enjoy. Or go multi-system. It's not that complicated.

The modern look is retro! I should have said "currently popular" or "retro." Well spotted, Milan.

I’m currently looking for a camera. I had a great RX100 then got lazy and lived off iphone 13. Then gave my RX to my son and realised that I really wanted to get back into photography. But, I find a huge mish-mash of cameras, M43, APS, FF, all basically trying to get people away from their phones! (ok, except for the pros). And after extensive research, it clearly comes down to this: FF exists because it got there first when tech couldnt possibly have managed light at smaller size sensors; APS came along in 1996 to create a lighter weight system (yes, you read right), but it never took the market completely from FF as the size difference isnt big enough. M43 started in 2008, to reap the benefits of fast advancing tech for smaller sensors and to bring back the original 4/3 ratio, which dates from early cinema days as the best ratio for portraits and subject focus. And there are now loads of lenses available for M43 at fine quality. The issues of DR and noise are long gone, even phones do fine there now, the latest M43 sensors are as good or better than competing APS models. The need for photo is what ? Doing what you cant do with a phone, ie great control of exposure and lens, and especially with your second hand for zooming. So its getting clearer to me that for ease of outdoor / longer range zoom work M43 is a no brainer, unless you’re a pro who has to have the best of the best, while street etc can be either. The differences between systems are so small now that its really down to choice of spec / capabilities / perceived qualities more than anything else. Logically, M43 should gain share, the lighter weight system will be more and more interesting as the downsides no longer exist.

I absolutely agree with you, Neil. I should add that I am a professional photographer, making a reasonable living from it. Some of my clients are big, internationally-known household names, others nationally known, and some local. Though I am trying to give them up, I also shoot weddings (getting prepared for one tomorrow) and events. My seascapes do well for me, too. Plus, I get commissioned to photograph for national magazines. I shoot with an OM-1, a Micro Four Thirds camera. Not one of my clients has complained about the image quality, and they always ask me back.