tedfarren Loc: Austin, TX

Can someone please explain, in simple terms, the difference between crop and full frame cameras. Many thanks.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Obviously, the FF camera has a larger sensor. In practical function, this results in images that can be enlarged more - or enlarged the same amount but with more clarity. Many FF cameras have very good low-light capability. I went from Canon APS-C ("crop sensor") 70D to a 6D, which is a FF camera. I had a dramatically improved image quality. I can crop/enlarge pretty small areas and still have a good image. This camera gets pretty good results shooting at an ISO up to about 25,000! I am not looking back....

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

sb said "obviously," but I'd never heard the term 'til I'd owned a digital camera for 3 years

Here's one article:

https://digital-photography-school.com/full-frame-sensor-vs-crop-sensor-which-is-right-for-you/

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SteveR Loc: Michigan

The link that Linda sent should explain it. Another way to think about it is that a lens will project an image that is circular. A full frame sensor which is rectangular will "see" more of that image. In fact, the full frame sensor could fit nicely on the circle but there are parts of the circle that are not projected onto the rectangle. A crop sensor will fit within the full frame rectangle and "crop" out some of the image that the full frame sensor sees because the crop sensor is smaller. That's why it's called a crop sensor. The illustration in the "The Full Frame Advantage" is possibly the best way to understand it.

http://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/the-full-frame-advantage--photo-8268

Notice when viewing the illustration that the image in the center is the same size for both crop and full size sensors.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

its all in the sensor size

(Download)

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

One major consideration on which to buy is that the full frame cameras are more expensive than the crop sensor cameras.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

On top of that the lenses are also more expensive and a lot heavier.

BebuLamar

Keep in mind that although some camera manufacturers do use the term full frame for the 24mmx36mm sensor. I have not seen any manufacturer use the term crop.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Nikon comes pretty close to using it on their site:
"There is, of course, no crop factor present with the FX sensor."
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/products-and-innovation/the-dx-and-fx-formats.html

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

Makes me want to rush right out and buy the Hasselblad H5D-200c Multi-Shot Medium Format DSLR Camera Body since it's only $44,995. LOL. I think I'll stick with Photoshop at $10 a month.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Here is a link to discussions on Crop vs Full Frame on UHH that I found by using the search function at the top of the page:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=crop+sensor+vs+full+frame&sectnum=0&username=

blackest Loc: Ireland

in digital terms full frame is a larger sensor and as a result you need less enlargement than with a smaller sensor, it's easier to get a shallow depth of field. Full frame sensors can have larger pixel sites which tend to give better noise levels.

Most people forget about film when it comes to full frame, but it's something you might try before investing in full frame digital. Last week I bought a flight case with a number of lenses and a Pentax ME Super it wasn't cocking the shutter but with a few drops of IPA to free things off (and evaporate after) it was cocking each time and I decided to run a film through it.

Operating the camera was pretty simple with shutter speed being set automatically for the aperture i was using. It gives warnings if the shutter speed is too slow or too fast as long as one of the green leds was lit it was fine. I found it easy to use and got it processed for €3 about $4.50 including the film. Exposure seems good and I have been scanning with an epson 4490 and vuescan. I have an SFX-n1 coming, probably tomorrow, which is a little more modern with AF and a motorised film winder. The cost of doing film is pretty reasonable working bodies can be had for very little money the sfx-n1 was €25 + postage. That includes an af lense :)

Of course i'm not going to shoot with it as I do with my Pentax K5 but it's worth remembering the lenses are all compatible.

If you shoot Canon or Nikon then you can get film bodies that will also work for you. At least this way you can try out full frame and see if is something you like.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Rembrandt said that about his paints

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Full frame refers to the sensor area matching the size of 35 mm film. Crop uses software algorithms to provide an enlarged image.

tedfarren Loc: Austin, TX

Many thanks to all for the great replies. I now understand the difference between crop and full frame😄