Full Frame versus APS-C digital sensors (Page 2): I like full frame cameras. No explanation forthcoming. : ) DSLRs started out with smaller sensors (smaller than 35mm film) because...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I like full frame cameras. No explanation forthcoming. : )

DSLRs started out with smaller sensors (smaller than 35mm film) because sensors were very expensive to make. Eventually, they offered us full frame (35mm film size) sensors. These cameras were larger, heavier, and more expensive. Both FF and crop cameras can take excellent pictures.

http://www.diyphotography.net/crop-vs-full-frame-sensor-different-cameras-perform-lens/
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/article/g588ouey/the-dx-and-fx-formats.html
https://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/new-dslr-owners-what-you-must-know-about-full-frame-vs-crop-frame-sensors-before-choosing-a-lens/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/features/dx-vs-fx-its-not-debate-its-choice
http://www.lightstalking.com/cameras-sensor-size/
http://neilvn.com/tangents/full-frame-vs-crop-sensor-cameras-comparison-depth-of-field/

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/heres-digital-slr-sensor-crop-affects-lenses/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/features/dx-vs-fx-its-not-debate-its-choice

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

gopher22 wrote:

I am relatively new to digital photography beyond "Point and Shoot" and am looking to buy something modern and more versatile. Perhaps one of the members would care to explain the difference between Full Frame versus APS-C, as in Full Frame sensor and Crop sensor.

Basically, if you shoot a ton of wildlife, go with a APS-C sensor, like on the Nikon D500 or the Canon 7D Mark II. You will get more reach and use more EFFECTIVE MEGAPIXELS than with a full frame. Like this shot of a Juvenile Bob Cat.
If on the other hand, you shoot a ton of landscapes, then a full frame could be useful, like with the Nikon D750, D610, D800, D810 or D850. You can get the most out of a wide angle lens on a full frame where getting the foreground and background all in the shot is important. An example would be this water fall shot from my Vermont trip that is next to my daughters house.

repleo Loc: Boston

gopher22 wrote:

I am relatively new to digital photography beyond "Point and Shoot" and am looking to buy something modern and more versatile. Perhaps one of the members would care to explain the difference between Full Frame versus APS-C, as in Full Frame sensor and Crop sensor.

If, as you say, you are ' relatively new to digital photography', you don't need a FF camera and probably won't enjoy lugging one around. An APS-C will give you all of the versatility you need. Use the savings to buy a couple of good fast prime lenses.
A more important question may be mirrorless or DSLR. Coming from a P&S you will find it much easier to adapt to a mirrorless than a DSLR. I stepped up from P&S to a mirrorless APSC Sony A6000 and was very happy. I eventually added a FF Sony A7Rii which is a fabulous camera, but the A6000 is still the one I grab if I am just going out to 'see what I can see'.
I am an admitted Sony fan, but I have never seen a complaint or derogatory comment about the Fuji offerings here.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

chrisg-optical wrote:

A little different explanation of sensor sizes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxZe4MuM8_Q

Here's some more full frame entertainment for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li94wfBJuVQ

Great links! Zack Arias did one, too.

https://youtu.be/PHYidejT3KY

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

gopher22 wrote:

I am relatively new to digital photography beyond "Point and Shoot" and am looking to buy something modern and more versatile. Perhaps one of the members would care to explain the difference between Full Frame versus APS-C, as in Full Frame sensor and Crop sensor.

Something to keep in mind is all the new cameras are capable of making awesome pics.

John from gpwmi Loc: Michigan

Discussion above is excellent. Everything is a compromise, so you have to understand the compromises and integrate all that information and then understand what's most important for how you use the camera most of the time, and the most important times. I recently switched from APS-C to Micro 4/3 for portability when hiking and lower cost and smaller size for some really good lenses. Not saying that's right for you.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am not going to discuss the differences between both cameras, that has been previously discussed. An APS camera, so called cropped sensor, is going to be cheaper, especially second hand or refurb, the lenses are going to be less expensive also and it will give you all the camera you need for your intended photography.
Wide angles are not a problem today with those cameras. Teles become "larger" allowing to almost duplicate the focal length for the delight of wildlife and sports photographers. Noise performance is pretty close to full frame, if you ever shoot beyond ISO 1600. Quality is excellent and it will be very hard for you (or anyone else) to tell the difference in the quality of enlargements if using the same lens.
Save your money and go cropped.

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

gopher22 wrote:

I am relatively new to digital photography beyond "Point and Shoot" and am looking to buy something modern and more versatile. Perhaps one of the members would care to explain the difference between Full Frame versus APS-C, as in Full Frame sensor and Crop sensor.

Think about what you like most about photography and the kinds of photographs you want to make. That will determine your purchases and whether will remain happy with whichever type of camera(s) you spend your money and time on. You may end up with more than one type of camera depending on budget and your interests. I like Burkphoto's answer regarding the different types--there is no one best, just the best tool for the job.

BebuLamar

Of course the difference is only size. Keep in mind though "Full Frame" isn't the largest size available it's only about the same size as conventional 35mm frame of a still film camera. APS-C has nothing to do with the Advanced Photo System either it's only about the same size (slightly smaller) than the APS-C film size. There are cameras with larger than full frame sensor and cameras with smaller than APS-C sensors.
Just like film larger size sensor has its own pros and cons. Both are suitable for high quality photography.

texashill Loc: Texas Hill Country

well done, as usual

Life is full of little trade-offs.

Meadwilliam

You’re getting some great advice except the one about field of view. That one is silly.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

But, a fuller image.
--Bob

Cdouthitt wrote:

An emptier wallet with ff

BebuLamar

Cdouthitt wrote:

An emptier wallet with ff

Yeah! The Nikon D750 is less expensive than the Olympus OMD-EM1 Mk II.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

BebuLamar wrote:

Yeah! The Nikon D750 is less expensive than the Olympus OMD-EM1 Mk II.

Comment for overall system (lenses too).

BebuLamar

Cdouthitt wrote:

Comment for overall system (lenses too).

So list your M43 lenses see if I can match with Nikon FX lenses.