Full-frame vs. APS-C format - What's so great about full-frame?
Every photography fan has heard the term "Full-frame camera" or "full-frame sensor" before. But what is a full-frame sensor anyway and what impressive advantages does this larger sensor actually have compared to a smaller sensor? Before you buy a new camera, we want to answer these questions for you.
The image sensor makes the difference
The advantages of the crop factor
In contrast to a full-frame camera, a camera with a smaller sensor also selects a smaller image section. Only the inner part of the image is captured; the image is "cropped" at the edge. The so-called "crop factor" for APS-C and MFT cameras describes the relationship between the actual focal length of the lens and the focal length impression created by the smaller image section. Due to the crop factor, APS-C cameras also achieve a longer focal length. If you photograph with a focal length of 200mm on a full-frame camera, the image section on an APS-C camera corresponds to a focal length of approximately 320mm. This can be a significant advantage for wildlife or sports photographers, for example.
Can I also use lenses for full-frame on APS-C?
Advantages of full-frame sensors:
We have already identified the technical differences between the sensors. Now the question arises as to what advantages a larger sensor brings with it.
Full-frame sensors are considered the "royal class" of SLR cameras. At low ISO settings, there is hardly any difference between full-frame sensors and smaller sensors. In particularly good lighting conditions (and thus lowest ISO setting), the full-frame sensor cannot yet show many of its strengths. In low-light conditions, however, the larger sensor performs much better. If the ISO value is increased, a considerably better detail fidelity and a much lower image noise can be observed with the full-frame sensor. This image noise is also familiar to amateur photographers: a kind of dust suddenly appears on the digital images or the image looks grainy.
A camera with a full-frame sensor can easily be set to a light sensitivity of ISO 6,400 and higher - the image quality hardly deteriorates. Especially in low-light situations, such as in theaters or at evening open-air events, the advantages are clear. Compared to an APS-C SLR, a full-frame sensor gains about one aperture and thus considerably more light. So if you often want to shoot great photos in low-light conditions, you should take a closer look at the full-frame sensor. The dynamic range of your photos, becomes a lot larger through the 35mm format sensor. This means that the colors are more brilliant and the subsequent scope for editing the photos is increased. Especially for astrophotography, this is a criterion, which is why many astrophotographers have already switched to larger sensors.
Sony Alpha 7 IV (ILCE-7M4) Body
- Sony Alpha 7 IV (Sony a7 IV)
- mirrorless full-frame camera
- 33 megapixels
- 2x BIONZ XR image processors
- Real-time autofocus
- 10 BpS with up to than 800 frames (JPEG + RAW) in constant continuous shooting
- swivel and tilt 3'' touchscreen 7,62 cm
- up to 5.5 f-stops shutter speed with integrated 5-axis optical image stabilization
- latest real-time tracking technology and autofocus with eye detection for people, animals and now also birds
- Full-frame 7K oversampling for extremely detailed 4K 30p recording
- 4K 60p video recording in Super35 format
- NP-FZ100 battery with high storage capacity
Bundles with Sony Alpha 7 IV (ILCE-7M4) Body
Sony Alpha 7 IV (ILCE-7M4) + SEL 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
Sony Alpha 7 IV (ILCE-7M4KB) + SEL 16-35mm f/4.0 G PZ
Sony Alpha 7 IV (ILCE-7M4) + SEL 24-70mm f/2.8 GM2
- Mirrorless Sony a7 III full-frame camera
- Rear-exposed Exmor R CMOS image sensor with 24.2 megapixels captures every detail
- Extra wide dynamic range with 15 f-stops
- Autofocus system with 93 percent sensor coverage
- 4D FOCUS with 425 AF contrast autofocus points complemented by 693 phase autofocus points
- Continuous shooting speed of up to ten frames per second
- Possibility of mechanical or silent shutter release
- Various 4k video functions
Sony Alpha 7 III (ILCE-7M3) Body black
Bundles with Sony Alpha 7 III (ILCE-7M3) Body black
Sony Alpha 7 III (ILCE-7M3) + battery grip VG-C3EM
Sony Alpha 7 III (ILCE-7M3) + SEL 24-70mm f/4.0 ZA OSS
Sony Alpha 7 III (ILCE-7M3) + SEL 85mm /f1.8
Sony Alpha 7 III (ILCE-7M3) + SEL 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
Canon EOS R8 Body
- Canon EOS R8 Body
- 24.2 megapixels
- Full-frame sensor
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
- up to 40 fps with electronic shutter
- maximum sensitivity ISO 102,400 (expandable up to 204,800)
- 4K videos from oversampling
- Rotating and swiveling touchscreen
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Switch to fotokoch.deBundles with Canon EOS R8 Body
Canon EOS R8 + RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
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Switch to fotokoch.deCanon EOS R8 + RF 24-240mm f/4.0-6.3 IS USM
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Switch to fotokoch.deCanon EOS R8 + RF 24-105mm f/4.0-7.1 IS STM
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Switch to fotokoch.deCanon EOS R8 + RF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS USM
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Switch to fotokoch.deSony Alpha 7R V (ILCE-7RM5) Body
- Sony Alpha 7R V (ILCE-7RM5) Body
- 61 megapixel
- Exmor R CMOS full frame sensor
- High-performance hybrid AF with 693 phase AF points
- 425 contrast AF points and wide sensor coverage (86%)
- 8K24p (4K60p) video function with S-Log3, S-Cinetone
- adjustable 8 cm (3.2 inch) touch display with 2,095,104 pixels
- electronic viewfinder with (approx.) 9.44 million pixels
- high sensitivity: ISO 100 - 102,400
- AI-based scene recognition for people, animals, birds and now also for insects, cars, trains and airplanes
- rugged weatherproof magnesium alloy body
Bundles with Sony Alpha 7R V (ILCE-7RM5) Body
Sony Alpha 7R V (ILCE-7RM5) + SEL 24-70mm f/2.8 GM2
Sony Alpha 7R V (ILCE-7RM5) + SEL 70-200mm f/2.8 GM2
Sony Alpha 7R V (ILCE-7RM5) + SEL 24-105mm f/4 G OSS
Sony Alpha 7R V (ILCE-7RM5) + Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
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Canon EOS R6 Mark II Body
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II Body
- 24 megapixels
- with standard ISO up to 102,400 for outstanding image quality in all lighting situations
- extremely fast
- up to 40 frames per second with full AF/AE tracking
- Deep Learning AF now also with detection of horses, planes and trains
- IBIS with up to 8 stops of compensation
- Professional quality video with 4K60p oversampled without crop and 6K60p RAW with external recording
- up to 6 hours of video recording time
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Switch to fotokoch.deBundles with Canon EOS R6 Mark II Body
Canon EOS R6 Mark II + lens adapter (without control ring)
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Switch to fotokoch.deCanon EOS R6 Mark II + lens adapter (with control ring )
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Switch to fotokoch.deCanon EOS R6 Mark II + Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM
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Switch to fotokoch.deCanon EOS R6 Mark II + Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0 L USM
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Switch to fotokoch.de- Leica SL2 Body
- mirrorless system camera in a class of its own
- CMOS sensor with 47 megapixels for superior image quality
- new Leica Object Detection Autofocus
- Image stabilization through sensor shift technology
- ultra-fast Maestro III processor
- leica EyeRes viewfinder with 5.7MP resolution
- ISO range: 50-50,000
- 14 f-stops dynamic range
- up to 20 frames per second
- 4K/60fps and 5K/30fps
- perfect tool for filmmakers
- Display item - may show slight signs of use
Leica
- Panasonic Lumix DC-S5II
- 24.2 megapixel full frame sensor
- new processor with L² technology
- Dual Native ISO
- uncompromising image quality
- Phase Hybrid AF
- built-in fan
- 5.9K video
- Burst: 30B/s (electr.) / 9B/s (mech.)
- FHD 120p
- HDMI type A
Bundles with Panasonic Lumix DC-S5II
- Professional system camera
- 50.1 MP Exmor RS CMOS full-frame sensor
- 30 frames per second continuous shooting
- Real-time AF with update rate of 120x per second with 159 AF points (92% of the sensor)
- ISO 100 - 32,000
- 9.44 million dot EVF with refresh rate of 240fps
- Dual drive mechanical shutter with 1/400 second synchronization
- 8K 30p and 4K 120p 10 bit video
- 5 axis image stabilization
- Dual CFexpress Type A SD cards
- Returned goods - may show slight signs of use + packaging damaged
Sony
- Leica SL3 Body
- 60.3 megapixels
- CMOS sensor
- mirrorless full-frame system camera
- 5.76 megapixel OLED viewfinder
- ISO values from 50 to 100,000
- HDMI 2.1 Type A (Full HD)
- 8K video (16:9)
- Hybrid AF through combination of contrast measurement
- 5-axis image stabilization up to 5 f-stops
- Bluetooth 5.0 LE + WiFi
- CFexpressType B + SD UHS II
- Leica L-mount connection
Leica
Canon EOS R5 Body
- Professional mirrorless system camera
- Full-frame sensor
- 45 megapixels
- 8K RAW video up to 29.97 fps
- 4K video up to 119.88 fps
- 5-axis image stabilizer
- Integration into professional workflows
- Continuous shooting up to 20 fps with the electronic shutter (mechanical 12 fps)
- two card slots: 1x CFexpress and 1x SD UHS-II
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 5,940 selectable AF positions and 100% field coverage
- AF with Deep-Learning AI
- effective Animal AF for detection of dogs, cats and birds
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Switch to fotokoch.deBundles with Canon EOS R5 Body
Canon EOS R5 + RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM black
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Switch to fotokoch.deCanon EOS R5 + RF 24-240mm f/4.0-6.3 IS USM black
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Switch to fotokoch.deCanon EOS R5 + RF 28-70mm f/2.0 L USM black
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Switch to fotokoch.de- Sony Alpha 7C R (ILCE-7CR)
- mirrorless full-frame interchangeable lens camera
- powerful 61.0 megapixel full-frame sensor
- BionZ XR processor
- integrated 7-stage stabilization
- compact size, stylish design
- AI autofocus for photos and videos
- optimized for even better creative experiences
- cinema-quality 4K 60p shooting
- perfect companion for portrait, landscape and street photographers
Sony Alpha 7C R (ILCE-7CR) Body
Bundles with Sony Alpha 7C R (ILCE-7CR) Body
Sony Alpha 7C R (ILCE-7CR) + 16-35mm f/4.0 G PZ Black
Sony Alpha 7C R (ILCE-7CR) + 20-70mm f/4.0 G Black
Sony Alpha 7C R (ILCE-7CR) + 70-200mm f/2.8 GM2 OSS black
Sony Alpha 7C R (ILCE-7CR) + 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS black
Nikon D850 Body
- 45.7 megapixels
- rear-exposed full-frame BSI CMOS sensor for higher light output per pixel
- Expeed 5 image processor
- 4K resolution
- 8K time-lapse video with external software and 4K time-lapse video directly in camera
- 7 frames per second / 9 frames per second (with MB-D18 battery grip and EN-EL18 high-performance battery)
- tiltable 3.2-inch LCD touch display with 2.36 million pixels
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Switch to fotokoch.deBundles with Nikon D850 Body
Nikon D850 Body + Battery Grip MB-D18
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Switch to fotokoch.deNikon D850 + Sigma AF 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM A Nikon FX
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Switch to fotokoch.deNikon D850 + Sigma AF 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS A Nikon FX
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Switch to fotokoch.deNikon D850 + AF-S Nikkor E 24-70mm f/2.8 ED VR Nikon FX
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Switch to fotokoch.de- Mirrorless full-frame system camera
- 24.5 megapixels
- 8 cm tiltable touch monitor
- 1.27 cm OLED viewfinder
- Image stabilizer (VR)
- Hybrid AF (phase and contrast detection)
- ISO 100 up to 51,200
- integrated stereo microphone
- 4K/60p video
- WiFi/Bluetooth
Nikon Z6 II Body
Bundles with Nikon Z6 II Body
Nikon Z6 II + Nikkor Z 40mm f/2.0
Nikon Z6 II Case +2pcs Set Nikon Battery EN-EL15c
Nikon Z6 II Body + Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S Nikon Z
Nikon Z6 II Body + Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Nikon Z
- 45.7 megapixel
- ISO 64 - 25,600
- 5 axis image stabilization (up to 6 stops)
- no mechanical shutter
- up to 8.3K with 60fps
- Display 3,2 inch, 4 axis tiltable
- two memory card slots: CF-Express + SD card
- HEIF 10 bit
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Switch to fotokoch.deBundles with Nikon Z8 Body
Nikon Z8 + Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
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Switch to fotokoch.deNikon Z8 + Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ II
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Switch to fotokoch.deNikon Z8 + Battery Grip MB-N12
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Switch to fotokoch.deNikon Z8 + Nikon battery EN-EL 15c
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Switch to fotokoch.deNikon D780 Body
- Nikon full-frame DSLR
- 24.5-megapixel CMOS sensor
- ISO range from 100 to 51,200
- Phase detection autofocus system with 51 points through the viewfinder
- fast hybrid autofocus system with 273 metering points and approx. 90% vertical/horizontal image coverage in live view
- Eye AF in Live View
- tilting LCD monitor with approx. 2.359 million pixels
- 4K/UHD movies in ultra-high resolution at 30p/25p/24p
- Exposure times from 1/8000s to 900s
Bundles with Nikon D780 Body
Nikon D780 + Sigma AF 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS A
Nikon D780 + AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4.0 ED VR
Meaning of the delivery status
Immediately available
The item is in stock and can be shipped at short notice.
The item is also in stock in our shop in Düsseldorf.
Am Außenlager. Lieferzeit 4-6 Werktage nach Zahlungseingang
Der Artikel ist vor Ort in unserem Hauslager nicht vorrätig und wird nach erteiltem Kundenauftrag am Außenlager/beim Hersteller bzw. Disributor bestellt. Die zu erwartende Lieferzeit beträgt 4-6 Werktage.
Item has been ordered
The item has already been ordered from the manufacturer or distributor. The delivery time is usually between 1 week and 2 months. As soon as a more precise delivery time is known, we will publish the details on our website. After placing the order, you will be informed regularly about the delivery time.
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The item has already been ordered from the manufacturer or distributor. We have been informed of the expected delivery date.
This item is ordered exclusively for you
The item is currently not in stock and will be ordered for you from the manufacturer or distributor after you have placed an order. The delivery time is usually between 1 week and 2 months. After placing the order, you will be informed regularly about the delivery time.
Item has been ordered. Delivery time 1-3 months
The item is currently not available. We were not given a delivery time. Experience shows that the expected delivery time is 1-3 months.
Currently not available
The manufacturer or supplier cannot confirm a date, so we assume a waiting time of 2 to 9 months. You can still order the item and secure your place on the waiting list.
Please note: Despite updating our website regularly, it is possible that an item may be out of stock but shown as available for a short time, especially when orders are high. All information is therefore without guarantee. We will inform you immediately if there is a delay in the expected availability/delivery time. The availability information refers to an order quantity of 1. Availability may vary for higher order quantities.
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Notification when the product is back in stock No reservation and no place on the waiting listYou want to reserve the product?
Order now, pay later (prepayment) Notification when the product is back in stock Product reservation and fixed place on the waiting list Cancellable at any time free of charge (until delivery)Due to the larger image sensor, the full-frame camera also offers a somewhat shallower depth of field than SLR cameras with smaller sensors. This characteristic of a full-format camera can be used as a design element and, for example, create out-of-focus photos. This design element is particularly well known for portraits. In order to direct the viewer's gaze to the essential elements of the image, the photographer has the option of selecting the plane of sharpness more precisely, thus freeing up the subject. Because of this, the full-frame camera becomes a great companion for professionals and ambitious amateur photographers, in the fascinating world of artistic photography.
Anyone who is thinking about buying an SLR camera should also take practical considerations into account. On the one hand, there is the weight: cameras with full-frame sensors are naturally heavier. This can be a burden if you want to be mobile and are also dependent on many lenses. An SLR camera with an APS-C or MFT sensor is considerably lighter.
Full-frame cameras can handle mechanical stress better, due to their high-quality and robust construction for everyday professional use. For daily professional use, the full-frame camera is therefore certainly the better solution from this point of view. Last but not least, the price plays a major role in the purchase of the camera and lenses. Cameras with smaller sensors are significantly cheaper than cameras with 35 mm sensors.
Typical SLR cameras with full-frame sensor are for example various Canon- and Nikon models. Sony mainly has system cameras of the Alpha series in their range. Mirrorless cameras have the great advantage that they can be built more compactly. Mirrorless cameras are called DSLRs (digital single-lens reflex). In contrast, system cameras work without a mirror (the "m" here stands for the missing mirror = English "mirror") Not long ago, system cameras did not reach the speed of DSLR cameras, but today the mirrorless models like the Sony Alpha 9 are in no way inferior to the big DSLRs.
Our conclusion:
Whether a full-frame camera or one with an APS-C or MFT sensor is ultimately right for you depends entirely on your needs. If you want to work a lot in low light conditions, want to print the resulting photos especially large, or have the camera in daily use, then there is no way around a full-frame camera. To experience the feeling between camera manufacturers and sensor sizes, we will be happy to advise you in our D?sseldorf branch and you can determine for yourself which camera suits you best. Because you can also take outstanding pictures with an APS-C camera.
Buy full-frame cameras at Foto Koch:
Full-frame cameras from Sony Full-frame cameras from Canon Nikon full-frame cameras Full-frame cameras from Leica Full frame cameras from Pentax
25.09.2017 | JJ