In this article we will set out the main differences between a full frame sensor camera and a cropped frame one. Hopefully this article will clarify the advantages and disadvantages of both, making the choice of which kind to go for much easier for you.
What is the difference between a full frame and cropped sensor camera?
Many years before digital cameras existed the photography industry was producing cameras with a standard frame size of 36mm x24mm. When digital cameras first began to come into production the sensors were smaller than the industry standard 35mm.
A full frame sensor camera is one where the digital sensor inside is exactly the same size as a piece of 35mm film. A cropped sensor camera is one where the camera is smaller than a piece of 35mm film. Typically in these cameras the sensor is a 1.6x crop, meaning the sensor is 40% smaller than a 35mm film.
Full Frame Sensors and Focal Length
Apart from quality, the main noticeable difference between full frame and cropped sensor cameras is the effect they have on focal length. Using the same lens on both kinds of sensor will yield different results. A smaller or cropped sensor will result in an image which appear more ‘zoomed in’ or telephoto in nature than the same lens on a full framed sensor camera.
The result of the above is that each lens on a cropped sensor camera (such as the Canon 450d Rebel Xsi) will in fact produce n image with a field of view 1.6 times the lenses focal range: a 50mm lens is infact a 80mm, a 20mm is in fact a 32mm, a 300mm is in fact a 480mm etc
Here is a diagram showing this effect. Both images were taken from exactly the same spot, both using a fixed 50mm lens. The top image was taken with a Canon 300d (a 1.6x crop sensor) and the bottom photograph was taken with a Canon 5d full frame sensor camera.
photo by Steve Kaye
Advantages of Full Frame Sensor Cameras
The main benefit full frame sensors is image quality. A larger sensor with the same number of pixels as a smaller one will produce a better quality image. The reason is that each pixel will be bigger, enabling it to gather more light which means that less digital digital amplification needs to be applied to each pixel. In short, the quality is much better with less ‘digital noise’ than is produced by a smaller sensor..
The above benefit of full framne sensors are amplified in low light conditions. High ISO settings are well known to create more noise (often referred to as grain) in images. This noise is amplified by cropped frame sensors.
In addition to better low light performance full frame sensors also have a larger dynamic range. All cameras see less f-stops of light than the human eye can. This results in highlights and low lights being blown out and tonal details being lost in digital images. Full frame sensors (due to their larger dynamic range) are better at capturing fine tonal differences that help to create better more realistic looking images.
Advantages of Cropped Sensors
Ok so all of the above has been indicating that full frame sensors are better in every way than cropped frame sensors. This can be backed up to some extent by the fact that full frame sensors are the choice of professional photographers.
Telephoto lenses tend to be more expensive than lenses with shorter focal lengths. By using a camera with a cropped frame you have a natural advantage of being more zoomed in. This means you can get a longer focal length using cheaper lenses.
In addition because of the enormous popularity of consumer grade dslrs (that use cropped sensors) the big manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon, Sigma & Tamron now make a variety of lenses designed specifically for smaller sensored cameras. A few years ago photographers were using lenses designed for full frame sensors meaning that they weren’t ‘getting the best’ out of their lenses.
Another advantage of cropped sensor cameras are their relative size, weight and cost. Being smaller, lighter and cheaper than full frame cameras they are often much better suited to the amateur or hobbyist photographer. Full frame camaeras such as Canon’s flagship 1D series are big heavy beast that most people won’t want to carry around all day while on their holidays.
Full Frame Vs Cropped Sensor: Conclusion
In summary cropped frame camera are more than capable of producing images at high enough quality to satisfy all but the most picky amateur. Their increased popularity has encouraged manufacturers to invest much more in their research and technology (for example producing lenses designed specifically for cropped sensor cameras) so that the difference in quality compared to ful framed sensor bodies is minimal to the untrained eye.
For most amateurs the decision to go full frame is one that can be put off for a few years. Non pro photographers, hobbyists, amateurs (whatever you want to call them/us) are probably better investing their money in better lenses before a camera with a bigger sensor.
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