However, technological advances have also been significant for crop-sensor cameras. Which one should photographers choose?
There still is a price difference between a crop-sensor (APS-C) and a full-frame, with a full-frame being the pricier option. The good news is that advances in crop-sensor technology mean you can shoot images up to 50MB in resolution.
Do you really need to pony up the money for a full frame, or is a crop-sensor enough for your needs? What are the differences between the two cameras? Are they significant enough to justify putting up the money for the more expensive camera?
You’ll need to look back in time, so to speak, to understand a fundamental difference between crop-sensor and full-frame cameras. The crop-sensor cameras have a smaller image sensor than the physical frame of a 35mm film camera.
You’ll find that entry-level and mid-range DSLRs and many mirrorlesses or compact system cameras (CSCs) also have smaller systems. Why does that matter? Those sensors produce images with a narrower angle of view. Their sensors can’t capture a scene the same way or size that a full-frame camera can.
We’ve put together a six-point comparison of the full-frame vs. crop-sensor (APS-C) systems to help you decide.
