I actually watched the entire video.
First of all, just because someone has the platform on Youtube to make this statement doesn’t give it more validity or more truth. It still is one person’s opinion. He provides no scientific data, no comparison test results, no actual sales numbers, market share numbers or any independent polling to back up his premise.
Let’s look at some of his arguments in that APS-C beats Fullframe and has won the war.
1) Lenses. He makes the argument that all makers are making more APS-C lenses now. Well yes they are making more than the limited few APS-C mirrorless lenses that existed before, both OEM makers and third-party lens makers. However there are many times more Fullframe lenses being made by all OEM makers and third-party lens makers. Hmmm, if they are making all those Fullframe lenses, folks must be still buying and using them on fullframe cameras.
2) The majority of fullframe mirrorless lenses can also be used on APS-C models with the same lens mount. So like in Sony’s case, all its fullframe E-mount lenses can be used with all its APS-C cameras.
3) He talks about a photog that took an APS-C camera as a backup on a trip along with his FF camera and later said he couldn’t tell the difference. Well I also have taken my APS-C Sony A6500 along as a backup with my FF Sony’s and yes the quality is pretty good, but isn’t the equal of my FF cameras.
4) He claims no client could tell the difference if they looked at an APS-C image vs a FF image. Well on a small computer monitor or smartphone or online, yes it is harder to see the difference, but that is more the limitation of the viewing resolution of your monitor or smartphone screen. I have had fullframe images of mine blown up to billboard size, hung in sports arenas, museums and even two stories big in Times Square NYC, and published in highest quality publications. They wanted the best quality I could give them, and I did with my fullframe gear.
5) He talks about no difference in image quality. Well I know his Fuji APS-C cameras have excellent image quality, but there is no way my APS-C 24mp Sony A6500 images have the sane resolution and detail of my Fullframe 24mp Sony A9, or my Fullframe 50mp Sony A1, or my Fullframe 61mp Sony A7RIV. I think presently Fuji APS-C cameras top out at 40mp of the XH2 and XH2S. That is excellent, but I will happily put my larger fullframe sensor 50mp and 61mp images against that APS-C size 40mp sensor shooting the same subject any day.
6) Physics is physics and his arguments don’t change that. I can get shallower depth of field with a comparable focal length lens with fullframe than I can with either APS-C or Micro 4/3rds . AI is great and is now in all formats from smartphones to micro 4/3rds, to APS-C, to even fullframe. So the playing field with AI is becoming level and any advantage here with AI in APS-C is becoming a moot point, just a fact. Sony makes most of the image sensors and cameras in smartphones, including all the top iPhone models. Sony tested and implemented their AI first in these smartphones with those small sensors, and now they and others have moved their AI into other larger format sensors. BTW, Sony makes the APS-C sensors and medium format sensors in most Fuji cameras. And they are moving more of that AI into their Fullframe models, as have other makers.
7) There is still a low light/high ISO advantage with fullframe. Yes I have and use programs like Topaz Denoise AI to eliminate high ISO noise if needed, but starting with a fullframe sensor I have less to do than with a similar high ISO/low light image from my APS-C camera. Yes sensor tech is advancing and APS-C sensors are getting better, but so are fullframe sensors getting better.
8) The claimed dynamic range of the APS-C 40mp Fuji X-H2 is 13 stops which is excellent. The Dynamic range of the top fullframe cameras is 15+ stops. Still advantage fullframe. Will you see the difference? I don’t know how you shoot, and how your process, present and view your images. But for this longtime pro I want the best DR I can get for my money and for my client work.
9) He talks about APS-C being smaller, lighter, and cheaper. Yes and no. The major makers are now making smaller, lighter and less expensive fullframe bodies . And along with those more compact fullframe bodies (like the fullframe Sony A7C, about the same size and form as its Sony APS-C 6400/6600 cameras), both OEM and third-party lens makers are making more compact, lighter and more affordable fullframe lenses. The price difference can be less than he makes it seem. Of course FF can be more expensive but the makers realize they need to have some less expensive fullframe cameras in their lineups and they have provided them. And you can buy quality used FF gear for the same price as the best new APS-C gear, cameras and lenses.
10)At 13:15 in the video he says, that for the average photographer and most working professionals they aren’t getting their money’s worth with fullframe gear. That is a ridiculous statement as he doesn’t speak for the average photographer or most fellow pros that I know and work with. And he has no idea what money we have spent on what gear and what our needs are, “average photographer” or pro.. And what defines his “average photographer” LOL
11)He claims makers’ engineers are spending their time and tech more on APS-C than fullframe. Makers are spending development money on ALL their formats, and much of the latest and greatest tech advances are in their top FF cameras, just a fact. Those top FF cameras are still the standard-bearers and flagships of those brands. He uses Fuji cameras that make great APS-C and medium format mirrorless, so their flagship cameras are going to be APS-C.
12)He claims there is no longer any reason to buy FF over APS-C, and APS-C does everything you need. Well that is certainly true for many shooters, and many others can equally argue that micro 4/3rds does everything they need and they don’t need APS-C. Everyone’s photographic needs, desires, and budgets vary.
13)He closes with “Rest in Peace Fullframe, APS-C has won the war.” I didn’t know there was a war here among formats. LOL
The clickbait title sure will get the video clicks and help his monetized Youtube channel make money for him. Hey I have nothing against anyone making a living. But the majority of working pros that I know, like myself and those that work for top news services and are doing high-end corporate , fashion, pro sports , photojournalism and more are sticking with their FF gear that is on the cutting edge of tech, performance and image quality.
Use what format suits you and be happy, but please don’t bet your house that APS-C beats Fullframe and has won some format war.
LOL
I am just one voice, one opinion like him. But most of you here in UHH know me as a longtime pro and as a longtime Professor of Photography at a state university where we have both kits of APS-C and fullframe gear for our photography students to use. .
I do administrate and moderate several Worldwide Facebook photography groups. I don’t have my own Youtube channel, I am too busy making my living working in photography. In my over five decades as a photographer I have used every format from tiny spycam minox to 11x14inch Dierdorf view cameras, and everything in-between, 35mm film, medium format film, digital micro 4/3rds, APS-C, fullframe, medium format. And I can tell you I know the differences in image quality of each of them.
Cheers and best to you all.
I actually watched the entire video. br br First... (
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