Why do so many top pros and discriminating shooters choose cameras with 24x36mm sensors? Because a full frame camera gives them benefits and an edge, both in terms of image quality and creative control. To understand exactly how this works, you’ve got to wrap your head around two basic ideas: pixel size and pixel density, that is, the number of pixels per square millimeter. Here’s how each one affects image quality.
What is a full frame camera?
A full frame camera is a digital camera that has a sensor that is equal to the size of 35mm film, or 36x24mm. Full frame cameras provide the largest sensor you can buy in a consumer camera. Typically, mid to professional-level mirrorless or DSLR cameras are full frame cameras.
A full frame sensor allows for more light and information to get into the camera, which increases quality and sharpness and provides greater dynamic range. While there are higher quality sensor types out there, like medium format cameras, many professionals prefer the full-frame format.
Diagram of the Most Common Sensor Types:
Pixel Power: The Benefits of a Full-Frame Digital Camera
1. Full-frame cameras have bigger, better pixels
The larger the sensor, the larger each pixel will be for a sensor of any given megapixel (MP) rating. Think of a pixel as a two-dimensional image element or image capture point. Larger pixels can capture more color information and also capture incoming light with greater efficiency and less noise than smaller pixels. This is the main reason full-frame sensors can deliver better performance at higher ISO settings than so-called crop sensors. They can also capture a greater dynamic range, and differentiate finer color variations within a given hue. All these characteristics enhance the accuracy, realism and vibrancy of the captured image.
2. Full-frame cameras can deliver higher resolution
Full-frame sensors can also be configured to provide higher MP ratings and greater resolution than smaller sensors. This enhances the sensor’s ability to capture fine detail. Increasing the number of pixels on a full-frame sensor does make each individual pixel smaller. But these pixels are still large enough to retain the large sensor advantages of high image quality, extended dynamic range, etc. The manufacturer determines the precise balance between high ISO performance and high resolution largely based on the needs of end users.
A classic example: The Sony Alpha a7S III, which has a full-frame 12.1MP CMOS sensor, and a top ISO of 409600, is aimed primarily at low-light shooters and videographers. Meanwhile, the broad-spectrum Sony Alpha a7R IV, has an ultra-high-res, full-frame 62.5MP CMOS sensor and a top ISO of “only” 102400.
3. Full-frame cameras provide enhanced depth-of-field control
Full-frame cameras require longer focal-length lenses to cover the larger 24 x36mm format at any given coverage angle, compared to smaller-sensor cameras. For example, 50mm, 35mm, and 25mm lenses are normal lenses on full-frame-, APS-C-, and Micro Four Thirds-format cameras respectively. As a result, full-frame lenses of equivalent coverage provide a shallower depth-of-field at any given aperture, so long as the images being compared have the same field of view (framing). This shallower depth of field is especially noticeable at apertures of f/2.8 and wider, and makes it easier to achieve pleasing pictorial results in portraits or scenes where the sharply rendered main subject “pops” off the soft background or foreground.
4. Full-frame cameras have your wide-angles covered
An incidental advantage of full-frame digital cameras is that wide-angle lenses designed for 35mm film cameras retain their full wide angles of view when used in your full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera. Example: Mount an old manual-focus 24mm f/2.8 Nikkor on your new full-frame (FX-format) Nikon D5 and it’ll cover the full 24mm field; mount it on a APS-C (DX-format) Nikon D500, and it’ll only cover a 36mm semi-wide field due to the 1.5x crop factor. On the flip side, crop-sensor cameras can transform your trusty vintage 50mm f/1.4normal lens into a cool wide-aperture moderate telephoto, or extend the effective reach of your telephoto zoom—two good reasons to hang onto that compatible sub-full-frame body rather than trade it in.
5. Full-frame cameras let you output oversize images
Since full-frame sensors capture more information at every pixel point, they deliver huge RAW image files that can be printed out or digitally projected in large exhibition and gallery sizes such as 24 x 36 or 40 x 60 inches without visually compromising image quality and detail, even when they’re viewed close up. Photographers that specialize in shooting images for billboards and giant photomurals often go even larger, opting for medium- and large-format digital capture. However, most photographers that make big prints consider their full-frame cameras to be the perfect solution.
6. Full-frame images are radically cropped
Cropping is one of the prime creative tools in photography. It’s not always possible to compose perfectly at the moment of exposure, and many images are enhanced by cropping out distracting details or by bringing out dynamic elements. It’s a lot easier to crop images shot with a full frame sensor without compromising image quality or increasing visual noise, because you start out with more information and detail to begin with. The difference is especially noticeable in radically cropped images where the final image represents 50% or less of the image captured by the sensor.
APS-C vs full frame camera: What’s the difference?
So what’s the difference between APS-C cameras and full frame cameras? The difference lies in the size of their sensor. Full frame cameras have a sensor that is 36mmx24mm, based on the traditional 35mm film format. APS-C or Advanced Photo System type-C format cameras have a sensor that is 1.5 times smaller, at 25.1mm x 16.7mm.
Photographing with a smaller sensor camera lowers the amount of light and information that gets into the camera. This, in turn, decreases image quality and dynamic range. If you’re wanting to photograph with professional full frame lenses on an APS-C camera, there will be a 1.5x crop factor on the focal length. This is thanks to the smaller sensor size in the APS-C camera, which can limit how wide you can shoot.
Benefits of a Full-Frame Camera
These six real-world advantages are excellent reasons for choosing a full-frame-digital camera. But there are also compelling reasons why an APS-C- or Micro Four Thirds-format camera might be a better choice for you.
In general, full frame cameras, especially DSLRs, are larger, heavier, and more expensive than their smaller-format counterparts. And, through the magic of advanced image processing software and sensor design, leading APS-C-format cameras like the Nikon Z50, Fujifilm X-T4, and Sony Alpha a6600, and Micro Four thirds cameras like the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix GH6, and Olympus OM-D E-M1X can deliver pro-caliber performance. But if you really need that “extra edge,” full-frame is a great way to go.
When is it time to upgrade to a full frame camera?
Simply put, if you’re wanting to significantly increase the quality and resolution of your images, you’ll want to upgrade to a full frame camera. Full frame cameras provide better low light performance, increased sharpness, and greater dynamic range.
Full frame cameras also allow you to work with professional-level lenses, without the 1.5x crop factor. Any professional will tell you that quality glass is a game changer and is what takes your images to the next level.
If you’re wanting to take that next step and improve as a photographer, or even make it a full-time career, investing and upgrading to a full frame camera is a must.
