The Full-Frame Digital Edge: It Cuts Two Ways! - The upsides and downsides of upgrading to a full-frame digital camera

By Jason Schneider

Shooting with a full-frame digital camera is seen as the mark of a pro or serious enthusiast, and many professionals do indeed favor cameras with full-frame (24x36mm) sensors. In general, full-frame cameras, especially DSLRs, are larger, heavier, and more expensive than their APS-C- and Micro Four Thirds-sensor counterparts. In addition all full-frame cameras require lenses that are larger and heavier than smaller-sensor cameras at each equivalent zoom range or coverage angle. And the wider the aperture is, the greater the size/weight difference. Why are knowledgeable shooters inclined to shoot full-frame? Because full-frame cameras give them a discernible edge in terms of image quality, low-light performance, and creative control. Here’s a quick rundown on full-frame advantages.  

Full-frame cameras offer enhanced image control:  Full-frame cameras require longer focal-length lenses to cover the larger 24 x36mm-format than smaller-sensor cameras. For example, the normal lenses for full-frame-, APS-C-, and Micro Four Thirds-format cameras are 50mm, 35mm, and 25mm respectively. In short, full-frame lenses of equivalent angular coverage provide a shallower depth-of-field at any given aperture than lenses for smaller formats, assuming the images being compared have the same field of view (framing). This shallower depth of field, especially in pictures shot at wide apertures (f/1.2-2.8), makes it easier to achieve classic pictorial effects in portraits and scenic images that combine sharp in-focus areas that “pop” off attractively soft backgrounds and foregrounds.

Full-frame sensors have larger pixels: The larger the sensor area, the larger each pixel is for any given megapixel (MP) rating. Larger pixels can capture more color information and are more efficient at capturing incoming light than smaller pixels, resulting in lower noise levels. This is the principal reason that full-frame sensors deliver better performance at higher ISO settings than smaller sensors. They can also capture a greater dynamic range and render finer color distinctions within a given hue. The result: Better overall image quality, color accuracy, and brilliance..

Full-frame sensors can provide higher resolution:  Full-frame sensors can also be designed to provide a larger number of smaller pixels, while still keeping the individual pixels large enough to maintain high image quality, low noise, and an extended dynamic range. The result: higher MP ratings and greater resolution than can be achieved with smaller sensors, enhancing the sensor’s ability to capture fine detail. The manufacturer determines the precise balance between high ISO performance and high resolution based on the needs of the camera’s target audience.  Example: The Sony Alpha a7S II, which is aimed at low-light and video shooters, has a full-frame 12.2MP CMOS sensor and a maximum ISO of 409600. The broad-spectrum Sony Alpha a7R II employs an ultra-high-res, full-frame 42MP CMOS sensor and a lower, but still impressive, maximum ISO of 102400.

Full-frame cameras maintain full wide-angle coverage: Another advantage of full-frame digital cameras is that older wide-angle lenses designed for 35mm film cameras retain their wide-angle field of view when they’re used on a full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera. For example, a 24mm lens for a 35mm SLR will cover the full 24mm field when it’s mounted on a full-frame DSLR, but will only cover a 36mm semi-wide field on an APS-C-format DSLR due to the 1.5x crop factor. On the other hand a smaller-sensor cameras can “extend” a normal, telephoto, or zoom lens by its crop factor, thereby increasing its effective reach. That’s why keeping compatible sub-full-frame body in your shooting stable may be a good idea.

Full-frame cameras are better for large output sizes. Since full-frame sensors capture more information at every pixel, they deliver huge RAW image files that can be printed out or digitally projected in large exhibition and gallery sizes, e.g. 24 x 36 or 40 x 60 inches, without visually compromising image quality or detail, or increasing visible noise. Photographers specializing in mural-size images may opt for medium- and large-format digital cameras, but most photographers that make large prints rely full-frame cameras to do an excellent job.

Full-frame cameras enhance cropping flexibility: Many images can be improved by cropping out distracting details, or to emphasize dynamic elements in the composition. It’s a lot easier to crop images shot with a full frame sensor without adversely affecting image quality or increasing visual noise because you capture more information and detail in the image file. With full-frame images you can usually achieve impressive results even when the final cropped image represents only 50% or less of the image captured by the sensor.

While full-frame cameras do indeed deliver all the significant advantages listed above, it’s important to remember they’re not the only game in town. By leveraging advanced image processing software and state-of-the-art sensor design, today’s leading APS-C-format cameras like the Nikon D500, the Canon EOS 5M, and Sony Alpha a6500, and top Micro Four thirds cameras like the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and Panasonic Lumix GH5 can deliver excellent imaging performance in a wide range of professional applications.

Editor’s Picks: Amazing Leica Full-Frame Interchangeable Lens Cameras

Leica SL (Typ 601): Leica’s rugged, minimalist, full-frame, L-mount mirrorless camera is clearly aimed at pros and serious enthusiasts, featuring a 24MP CMOS sensor coupled to a high-performance Leica Maestro II Image Processor. It’s capable of shooting full-res bursts at speeds up to 11 fps at sensitivity settings from ISO 50-50000, as well as capturing DCI 4K video at 24 fps in Super35 mode. It can also record UHD 4K video (3840 x 2160) at 30 and 25 fps, and Full HD at up to 120 fps. Street price: $7,450.00, body only.

Leica M10: The ultimate digital Leica M, it integrates a 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor with an advanced Leica Maestro II Image Sensor to deliver outstanding image quality an responsiveness, a full-res burst rate of 5 fps, and sensitivity settings from ISO 100-50000 selected with a dedicated ISO dial. Also built into its slimmer, more traditional body is a more accurate, higher magnification 0.73x range/viewfinder with auto-indexing, manually selectable parallax-compensating frame lines, a 3.0-inch 1,04m-dot LCD with Gorilla glass protective cover, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. The manual-focus M10 captures still images only, and it features weather-resistant brass construction. Street price: $6,595.00, body only.