Full frame vs. crop sensor

Full Frame vs. Crop Sensor: What's the Difference?

Kamera Express

Buying guide: full frame vs. crop sensor

The term full frame or crop sensor says something about the size of the image sensor the camera is equipped with. A full frame sensor has the dimensions of an ‘old-fashioned’ film negative: 24 x 36 mm. A camera with a crop sensor, also known as a ‘crop camera’, has a smaller sensor. This results in a crop of the image because the sensor is too small to capture the entire image. With a full frame camera, the full angle of view of a lens is used.

Full frame vs. crop sensor: the differences

The term full frame or crop sensor says something about the size of the image sensor the camera is equipped with. A full frame sensor has the dimensions of an ‘old-fashioned’ film negative: 24 x 36 mm. A camera with a crop sensor, also known as a ‘crop camera’, has a smaller sensor. This results in a crop of the image because the sensor is too small to capture the entire image. With a full frame camera, the full angle of view of a lens is used.

Camera brands use different sensor sizes, resulting in different crop factors. A common crop factor, including with the APS-C sensors from Fujifilm, Sony and Nikon, is a crop factor of 1.5. This means that the sensor is 1.5 times smaller than the full frame version, roughly 16 x 24 mm.

The larger sensor in full frame cameras provides a shallower depth of field, which means more beautiful bokeh in your photos. In general, the full frame sensor also has a greater dynamic range than a crop camera. This means you are less likely to experience noise at higher ISO values.

Focal lengths

As mentioned, a crop sensor creates a crop of the image. This means that the lens is not used right up to the edges, so there is, in effect, more zoom. A focal length of 24mm is therefore a reasonable wide angle on a full frame camera, while the angle of view on a camera with a crop factor of 1.5 is considerably narrower at the same focal length.

Photo taken with a full frame camera

The result of crop factor 1.5

An additional benefit of not using the full angle of view of the lens is that the often lower-quality edges of a lens do not appear in the photo. With a crop camera, you are therefore less likely to experience lens aberrations such as vignetting, distortion or edge softness.

Please note: not all lenses can be used on both full frame cameras and crop cameras. This is because the lens mount is different.

Pros and cons at a glance

Full frame camera

  • Greater dynamic range
  • Less noise at higher ISO values
  • The full angle of view of the lens is used
  • Shallower depth of field, so more bokeh
  • Lens aberrations are more noticeable
  • More expensive to buy

Crop camera

  • Cheaper to buy
  • Lens aberrations less visible
  • Smaller dynamic range
  • More noise at higher ISO values
  • Greater depth of field, so less bokeh

When should you choose full frame?

If your budget allows and you need a wide dynamic range and excellent performance in difficult lighting conditions, then the full frame camera is the right option. The camera performs better in dark lighting conditions, making you less likely to experience noise in your photos. In addition, you can also set yourself apart with greater blur (bokeh) in front of and behind your subject. Ideal for portrait photography or weddings, for example.

When should you choose crop?

If you mainly want to use a camera to capture memories, then a crop camera is perfectly suitable. Because the cameras are more attractively priced, you can buy an excellent camera even with a smaller budget. Do you head out with your camera now and then, or do you want to take fun snapshots on holiday? Then choose a camera with a crop sensor.

Rental

Can’t decide? Then renting a camera is a great option for you. This way, you can try everything out and see what feels best to work with. Take a look at Kamera Express Rental (formerly Budgetcam) for a wide range of mirrorless and DSLR cameras.

Good to know: your total rental fee will be deducted from the price of the camera if you decide to purchase it after the rental period.