by Great photography relies on a good camera. Whether you are a beginner photographer or a professional, you must have come across the term full-frame of an APS-C camera.
But do you know the comprehensive details of both these cameras? And without proper insight, you never know what these cameras are capable of. And how they are different from one another.
Full-frame and APS-C camera differences and comparison has been a hot topic for the longest period now. So, we decided to clear the clouds and explain the essential differences between a Full-frame camera and an APS-C camera.
In this detailed article, you will get to know all the precise descriptions of both cameras because knowing the perfect camera type is key to an ideal camera purchase.
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What is a Camera Sensor?
In simpler words, the camera sensor is the heart of the camera; it plays a major role in capturing the light and creating the image. It’s the part that receives the light from the lens and converts them into an electronic signal that can be viewed or stored on the device.
In addition, it usually detects and conveys the information that can be used to make an image. There are three separate camera sensor types that are characterized by the sensor size.
Two of them are significantly popular these days: Full-frame (36 x 24mm) and the APS-C or crop sensor (22.3 x 14.8mm). The ultimate difference between them is the sensor size, but let’s see what persona they reflect, comparing their expertise and potential.
APS- C Cameras
In APS-C cameras, APS stands for the “Advanced Photo System type-C.” These APS-C cameras are the most entry-level or mid-range DSLR models, and they typically measure about 22.3 x 14.8mm. These cameras’ crop-sensor proposes a clear image with a narrower angle of view, and they capture the smaller section of the whole scenario. Therefore, these are considered a convenient option with the low-price range, easy portability, compact size, and classic filming counterparts.
Origin of APS-C cameras
The APS-C camera is defined to be smaller in contrast to the full frame. These cameras have their origin in the C “Classic” format of the APS Film negative format. This format was first brought by the digital appliances manufacturer in 1996. Unlike the traditional, the camera received vast fandom when digital photography came into existence, associating the same size image sensor. The sole agenda of making this format camera is to keep things easiest and accessible to amateurs or non-professional photographers.
Advantages of APS-C camera
- Stating the theory, let’s see how these APS-C cameras are the wisest choice by studying their dominant advantages.
- They are highly portable and convenient to carry around
- They are affordable, and a beginner-level camera
- They have smaller file sizes and the easiest user-friendly controls.
Limitations of APS-C cameras
- Enough with the good version of the story; let’s throw some light on the negative factor or the cons of the APS-C sensor-ed camera.
- They cannot process higher image quality than full-frame
- They expel nosier and sometimes inaccurate ISO performance.
Full-Frame Cameras
The full-frame cameras have another popular name, “35mm full-frame”. These full-frame cameras are premium, with higher physical dimensions, with different pixel counts. In these cameras, without alteration, the full-frame sensor is sized 36mm by 24mm, significantly based on the traditional film format. Adapting the term for 35mm image sensor, these full-frame cameras offer the greatest deal in creativity with upgraded features like shallow depth of field, immersive bokeh, and widest-angle filming inching every corner of the scene.
Origin of Full-frame cameras
No one knew the full-frame term in the past; this originated from the 35mm film popular in the classic days. So yeah, it is adopted from the 35mm film reels or negatives used in cinema; these 35mm film negatives have the image area the same as the full frame. Back in the day, the 35mm cameras were smaller enough for convenience and large enough to propose a high-quality image. This is the factor responsible for their high demand as a perfect kit for professionals and beginner photographers. However, when the digital era comes around, these 35mm lenses, aka full-frame, are the ones offering higher dimensions.
Advantages of a full-frame camera
- Heard a lot about full-frame cameras; let’s stick to the logical facts and study their greatest positive abilities.
- They have a bigger sensor, meaning they capture more details in the frame.
- A bigger sensor means a bigger pixel and greater amount of light, and better ISO experiences.
- Greatest image quality, high-end retouching, and modifications.
Limitations of full-frame cameras
- Perfection is a myth, and so does the fact that a “Full-frame camera comes with no flaws.” Here are some of the limitations of the same.
- A bigger sensor objectifies the bigger body and a heavyweight.
- They do not come with a pocket-friendly budget.
Technical Difference Between Full Frame and APS-C Camera
The Sizzling debate over the Full-frame and APS-C sensor camera has been going on for a longest time; there are many assumptions broadcasted that full-frame is for professional photographers or APS-C needs improvement. To clear the clouds of doubt, let’s list their differences and start with the major technical ones.
Lens Size – The full-frame cameras have a full-frame image sensor with a larger image area than the APS-C camera; stating the fact that the glass element of the lens is big enough to cover the whole sensor area; while the APS-C lens is smaller but lighter.
ISO – The full-frame camera tends to have the greatest control over ISO, and they are potent enough to push the ISO to the higher settings; which gives excellent dark-hour filming performance
Low light performance – Again, the full-frame cameras succeed in having the greatest low-light experience; they have a cleaner integration that is responsible for noise-free low-light filming. Another explanation is that full-frame cameras have larger photoreceptors with the same pixel count.
Focal length – Full-frame lenses are superior for a reason; when full-frame cameras give the true focal length of the full-frame lens without any alterations, which means wide-angle lenses deliver a wide view. The lens on APS-C cameras has moderation in focal length with crop factor.
Crop-factor – The APS-C camera doesn’t use the true focal length of the lens; they tend to alter the focal length with the crop factor corresponding to the “equivalent focal length. For instance, if you are using a 50mm lens with a 1.5x longer focal length, the equivalent length will be 75mm. There is no such thing as full-frame cameras.
Depth of field – The out-of-focus area is creatively crafted with a blurry effect in full-frame; Depth of field experience is another effective complementary in a full-frame camera. But you can also experience a better depth of field in APS-C with the shorter focal length lens, like 35mm (because they have a larger depth of field).
Viewfinder -The full-frame cameras have the largest mirror than any crop-sensor contemporaries, which is why you can see a brighter and clearer image on the viewfinder screen than the Live-view using a full-frame camera.
File – It’s obvious if you intend to shoot higher-resolution images, your picture size will be larger. So, the full-frame camera producing higher-resolution images always has a heavy large file size. This means you need to have a bigger storage capacity to back these files.
In-General Differences between Full-Frame and APS-C Camera
So these are the significant technical differences between full-frame and crop-sensor cameras, which directly have a serious impact on the shooting outcome. But apart from these, let’s see what other basic but essential differences these two cameras do have that might also be needed to configure while picking a winner out of them.
Image Quality– Unquestionably, the full-frame cameras are the ones with the highest image quality, as they give a wider dynamic range with the same pixel count as the APS-C camera.
Sensitivity imaging– Apart from the dominance, when the camera faces a low sensitivity scenario, the smaller pixel size APS-C camera sensor produces better image quality capturing precise details than the bigger full-frame.
Body Size– The full-frame cameras are the largest and heavier in size with the biggest sensor, which makes it quite difficult for outdoor travel photography. In contrast, the APS-C cameras are the lightest weight and most compact.
Engineering– Even with the lightest weight, the APS-C camera cannot provide you with the assurance of durability. The body of the full frame is rigid and durable and has the greatest longevity.
Price– with the biggest sensor and intellectual technique, the full-frame cameras have a hugely expensive budget, while the APS-C camera can be brought within a pocket-friendly budget.
Reach– Like the full-frame mastered wide-angle filming, the APS-C camera is famous for shooting magnificent wildlife and street photography with the longest reach. With the crop factor, you can have the extra figure in regular focal length for reach.
Versatile – The full-frame cameras are the modern and upgraded version with the most creative and intelligent features, which means they have more versatility than the APS-C cameras.
Final Words
The APS-C camera is compact and reasonably priced, while the full-frame has better image quality; the APS-C is convenient while the full-frame asks for professionals. However, they both are entirely different from one another.
Yes, there might be some hard and fast chaos in choosing the ideal camera to begin the photograph journey with; But No more debate over the full-frame and APS-C cameras anymore; no more assumption or improvisation, just the real difference and similarities.
After analyzing every inch, we came across the real capabilities, advantages, and limitations of both the APS-C and Full-frame camera.
Now with a better understanding, you are potent enough to invest in a productive camera (APS-C or full-frame) according to your need. So, all you need to think of only is the scenario and subject you want to shoot and start framing the world.
