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Making Sense of Sensors - Full Frame vs. APS-C

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116 views

Making Sense of Sensors - Full Frame vs. APS-C

Uploaded by

Balachandra Kuppaswamy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Making Sense of Sensors – Full Frame vs. APS-C


There is more to a full frame sensor than simply being bigger than an
APS-C one and it is not necessarily the best choice for all types of
photography. Find out why in this in-depth article on the differences
between full frame and APS-C cameras and lenses.

Sep 29, 2016


It’s hard to find a photographer these days who doesn’t have a digital camera,
where an electronic sensor replaces film as the means of recording the results of
the shutter click. However, many of the terms used in film photography persist
into the digital era, such as ‘full frame’. In this article we will explain the
terminology and how the size of the sensor affects the quality of the images
taken.

Full frame Sensor Cameras


For those new to photography, let’s first get some basic definitions out of the
way. 35mm film was the dominant standard in still photography until digital
photography took off. The term ‘full frame’ refers to the sensor being the same
size as a single negative (or frame) on a 35mm roll of film ie 24 x 36mm. So, the
image sensor inside a full frame camera body is 24mm high and 36mm wide. The
ratio of width to height of a sensor is known as the aspect ratio which governs
the proportions of each image. With a full frame camera (and 35mm film) it is a
ratio of 3:2.

APS-C Sensor Cameras

APS stands for Advanced Photo System. This is a film format that was introduced
in 1996, but has since been discontinued. APS film frames measure 16.7 x
30.2mm, but there are three different APS digital image formats: H (high-
definition), C (classic) and P (panorama). All three are smaller than the original
APS and 35-mm film size, hence the term ‘cropped sensor’. The H format is the
same ratio as the entire APS negative, while the C format has an aspect ratio of
around 3:2, the same as in a full frame camera. The exact size of an APS-C digital
sensor varies slightly depending on the camera manufacturer. APS-C images
sensors can be found in most digital SLR, mirrorless and compact systems
cameras. It is no wonder, then, that the selection of APS-C lenses and camera
bodies on the market is very large compared to their full frame counterparts. All
ZEISS lenses are optimized for full frame image sensors, with the exception of
Touit.

Lenses are designed to suit the sensor type


The APS-C format is the one most commonly found in digital SLR, mirrorless and
compact systems cameras. This has led to a wider choice of lenses being
manufactured to suit APS-C sensors. All ZEISS lenses are optimized for full frame
image sensors, with the exception of the Touit range.

APS-C sensors: cropped images


Because an APS-C image sensor is smaller than a full frame sensor, APS-C cameras
have a smaller area to capture a scene. In other words, the scene is ‘cropped’, as
illustrated below. With an APS-C sensor, the angle of view is narrower. This
creates the impression of being zoomed in more. Although the depth of field
remains the same in both cases, the background is “sharper” than the same shot
taken with a full frame sensor and the same aperture. So by using different image
sensors, you have created two very different images.

The crop factor


The crop factor allows you to figure out what the field of view would be in a 35-
mm film format equivalent camera based on the actual focal length you are using
on a APS-C camera. It also helps you compare lenses. The crop factor is always
calculated by dividing the full format size by the size of the APS sensor. Let’s take
an example.
Suppose your APS-C image sensor is 25.1 x 15.7mm. If you divide 36mm by
25.1mm (36/25.1), you get 1.43. That’s the crop factor. If you put a 70-mm lens
on a digital SLR camera that has an APS-C image sensor and multiply this focal
length by the crop factor (70 x 1.43 = 100), you would produce the same field of
view as if you were using a 100mm focal-length lens on a full frame camera. Crop
factors for digital SLR cameras can vary between 1.3x and 2x. The higher the crop
factor, the more zoomed in the image will appear.

Which sensor is ‘better’?


It’s a myth that full frame cameras and lenses are, by definition, better than their
APS-C counterparts. Granted, due to the larger sensor size – and higher price tag
– professional photographers mainly use full frame cameras. But the choice of
APS-C or full frame is not about price or size. Ultimately, it depends on your goals,
ideas, and the kind of photography you like to do.

Staying in the background


One big advantage of APS-C sensors is that the cameras that have them are
smaller and lighter than a full frame camera. So if you like to do street
photography, compactness may be just what you need. You’ll be able to capture
the atmosphere and your subject while remaining inconspicuous. APS-C cameras
and lenses are a good choice for street photography as they are smaller and
lighter so less obtrusive.
Depth of field
A crop-sensor camera also comes in handy for macro shots. Recall that depth of
field (DOF) is the distance between the closest and furthest parts in an image that
will appear in focus. At the same aperture and for the same field of view, an APS-
C sensor will have a higher depth of field than with a full frame camera.

A full frame sensor camera and lens will have less in focus for a given aperture
and field of view than an APS-C combination, allowing more creative effects. 

APS-C cameras enable you to fill the frame with your subject from a greater
distance, so the images will look more zoomed in than if they had been with
taken with a full frame camera. This can be an advantage when you cannot, or
should not, get too close to your subject, such as wildlife, an athlete or another
source of action. An APS-C sensor magnifies telephoto lenses, enabling you to
get “closer up” with these. A 200mm lens on an APS-C camera will act like a
300mm lens on a full frame camera.
Advantages of full frame sensors
That said, full frame camera systems offer several distinct advantages over APS-C
sensors. For starters, you’ll have more control over the depth of field because
you’ll need to move in closer to your subject. This could be important for portraits
or if you want to create other aesthetic effects.

A full frame camera/lens combination also delivers better image quality. The
reason is the pixel pitch: a larger sensor with the same number of pixels means
each individual pixel is larger; this allows more light to be captured. Hence, full
frame systems also perform better when the light is weak, enabling you to
confidently raise your ISO settings. For night photography, full frame sensors win
hands down over APS-C sensors.

Full frame systems also produce more finer details because the pixels are larger,
creating a better dynamic range than an APS-C sensor would with the same
number of pixels. Because of a full frame sensor’s larger size and the larger field
of view it projects, a full frame lens/camera combination is also more suitable for
wide-angle shots, which is relevant for architectural, landscape or product
photography.

A full frame camera and lens is the best choice for wide-angle landscape images.

Mixing and matching


Given the ubiquity of APS-C lenses and camera models, how much mixing and
matching is possible between both systems?

All full frame lenses can be used on an APS-C camera with the same bayonet, but
you will still only get a cropped frame. Putting an APS-C lens on a full frame
camera will also produce a cropped scene. This will cause vignetting (black
corners) on the image as light can’t reach into all the corners. Fortunately, some
full frame cameras recognize an APS-C lens and automatically switch to a crop
mode. That happens if you put a Touit lens on a Sony full frame camera.

Investing for the future


Both full frame and APS-C sensor formats will continue to exist alongside each
other. That said, upgrading to full frame lenses and camera models will always be
a winning recipe for maximum creative potential. Full frame is also a solid
investment in the future because full frame systems never become obsolete.
Future innovation in both types of sensors will be driven by the quest for even
higher resolution, a trend already visible in video.
Full frame vs APS-C sensors and lenses summary

Which will suit you best?


Street Photography: APS-C, smaller, lighter cameras

Macro Photography: APS-C, greater depth of field

Sports, Wildlife: APS-C, greater reach for a given focal length

Architecture, Landscape: Full frame, larger field of view, more suitable for

wide-angle shots
Night Photography: Full frame, sensor captures more light

Creative Flexibility: Full frame, greater ability to choose a narrow depth of

field
Superior Image Quality: Full frame, higher pixel pitch
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ZEISS Camera Lenses Team


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