Dynamic range is the range of tones and colours an image has. So now let’s look at how full frame cameras deal with dynamic range when compared to a crop sensor. Raw images viewed at 100% - Testing Dynamic Range What we are looking at in this test is the differences in detail, noise, and dynamic range. When shooting in raw, a camera’s colour profile can be changed easily therefore testing for colour changes here is pointless. I can tell you that is totally irrelevant as you can change the colours so easily in post processing. Maybe you would expect this in good lighting conditions but even so, here is a good, real life, example of this.Ĭolour differences – Now you may hear people talk about how the colours are better from one brand to the next and that is why should buy brand A over brand B. When you consider the full frame example was taken at a lower ISO, the difference in noise is minimal. This is where it gets interesting! You will see noise appear more in blank areas of a scene, i.e. This will come into play in low light situations. More noise at higher ISO – Smaller camera sensors tend to perform worst at high ISO’s. These days all new cameras produce fantastic results. Lower quality than full frame – But let’s be clear on this, because APS-C is lower quality than full frame, doesn’t mean it’s ‘low quality’. Remember, it’s not what you’ve got it’s what you can do with it so don’t be fooled by spending big money to get great shots! The most cost-effective system is the starter camera kits most of the big names offer. The APS-C (crop sensor) system is the most common and therefore there are a lot of camera brands competing for your money and that’s where bargains can be had. In short, a lighter and smaller lens can zoom in further.Ĭheaper – in general smaller sensor cameras are cheaper, particularly the APS-C system. 600m on a full frame camera will be 400mm on a crop sensor. If you want to carry around a small kit with a light tripod, then this will be the way to go.įocal Lengths go further – The same focal length on an APS-C camera will zoom in further than on a full frame camera. Smaller kit- in contrast to the above these kits are a lot smaller and lighter. Not only this, but the lenses and accessories for full frames are also more expensive, so make sure you have deep pockets! APS-C Crop Sensors When you start carrying around a full frame camera, 3 lenses and a tripod that will take its weight, you’ll notice the difference believe me!Įxpensive – Full frame cameras tend to be more expensive. Don’t forget, the bigger the camera the bigger the lenses and tripod needed. To learn more about ISO and noise, click here.īigger camera bodies and bigger lenses – Full frame sensor kits are a lot larger and heavier. Full Frame Sensorsīigger sensors mean more detail – Comes into effect if printing very big images or doing high end retouching and digital manipulation.īetter in low light situations – A bigger sensor has bigger pixels which means each pixel can capture more light and this creates less noise at higher ISOs. When deciding which is right for you, firstly consider the following pros and cons. But, is it enough to warrant upgrading to a full frame camera or is the quality of a crop sensor sufficient enough for you to ditch big full frame systems? In short, the bigger the sensor size, the better the image quality will be. Now we’ve discussed the different sizes, it’s time to consider the image quality in relation to the size of the sensor. Not only will the camera body be smaller but so will the lenses and all the accessories. The second is size – Full frame cameras are bigger and heavier, so some people chose the crop sensor system to make their kit smaller and lighter. In this very competitive world of ‘ What camera should I buy?’ cost makes a big difference in your decision. The first is cost – it cost less to manufacture smaller sensors therefore that cost can then be passed onto the customer. There are two main reasons camera companies make different size sensors. In general, the bigger the sensor, the bigger the camera body will be, and more information will be captured. The main difference between a crop sensor (APS-C) and a full frame sensor is its size. Micro 4 3 sensor – 17mm along its longest edge.įor this blog we will be focusing on full frame and crop (APS-C) cameras only. There are 3 common sizes of camera sensors and here they are in order of big to small:įull frame sensor – 35mm along its longest edge (based on the old 35mm negative size).ĪPS-C Sensor (also known as Crop Sensor) – 22mm along its longest edge. Now it’s a digital chip, commonly known as a camera sensor. Let’s keep this simple! A camera’s sensor is what captures the light and creates an image, in the old days it was camera film that captured the light.
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