A full-frame camera can be just what you need to boost your photography. It is the top choice among professionals to ensure the highest image quality and performance, and for good reasons.
However, they are quite a significant investment that won’t suit all photographers the same.
So, you should be 100% sure about what you need and why.
Generally speaking, full-frame cameras provide higher resolution and a wider field of view for many different situations: fashion, portrait, sports, documentary, etc.
I love their versatility, and I can assure you that the improvement in image quality is pretty noticeable once you leave cropped sensors behind.
For that reason, in this article, I’ll cover everything about full-frame cameras (whether DSLR or mirrorless) to help you decide if that’s the next step you must take.
Let’s begin with a general definition.
Table of Contents
What is a Full Frame Camera?
A full-frame camera is a digital camera with an image sensor the same size as the traditional 35mm film (36 x 24mm). It is the largest sensor in a consumer interchangeable lens camera.
Usually, these cameras are aimed at professionals. The larger sensor makes them bulkier and more expensive, but they yield superb image quality that no cropped sensor could beat.
Even so, they are not built for everyone— they are best suited for photographers who need to capture the most detail possible, particularly in low-light conditions.
That leads us to the following point:
How is a Full Frame Camera Different?
A full-frame camera has a wider sensor with bigger pixels that capture more light, allowing for more detail, higher resolution, and better low-light performance. And that’s just to mention a few perks.
In addition, these cameras include much more advanced features for experienced photographers. That makes them versatile for many situations, from fashion to sports or wildlife photography.
Another benefit of full-frame cameras is that there is no crop factor, so you can better utilize the focal length of your lenses.
Nevertheless, full-frame cameras are significantly costlier than APS-C or Micro Four Thirds cameras, not only because of the bulkier body but also because of the lenses. Going full-frame means saying goodbye to your budget-friendly APS-C lenses and starting over again.
But why? Let me explain it a bit more:
A lens designed for a smaller sensor won’t cover the entire surface of a full-frame sensor, and you would lose information towards the edges of the picture. Therefore, it is mandatory to invest in new lenses whenever you decide to upgrade to the full-frame world. And sadly, that is not a viable option for beginners.
Full Frame DSLR vs. Full Frame Mirrorless
Nowadays, you can find full-frame sensors in DSLRs and mirrorless cameras to suit different photographers.
Of course, both systems have pros and cons. So, to decide which one is best for you, you’ll have to consider a few aspects:
1. Battery Life
Battery life: Since the sensor is constantly exposed—and therefore, the screen or EVF is always on—mirrorless cameras consume more power than DSLRs. So, if battery life concerns you, you might prefer a full-frame DSLR over a mirrorless.
2. Compatible Lenses
Compatible lenses: although they have the same sensor size, mirrorless and DSLR cameras use different lens mounts, so you should check the compatible lenses available before making your decision. Consider your needs and budget, and choose the option that gives you more flexibility.
3. Performance
Performance: full-frame mirrorless cameras might be the best choice for professional sports photographers who need the fastest autofocus. Since there is no mirror, the AF system is quicker and more accurate.
4. Portability
Portability: A full-frame DSLR is large and heavy, which can be annoying when traveling. So, if you want all the benefits of a large sensor combined with the portability of a small body, you should definitely go for a full-frame mirrorless camera.
Do You Need a Full Frame Camera to Be a Professional Photographer?
Although full-frame cameras offer plenty of benefits for the most experienced photographers, you don’t need to spend that much money to become a respected professional. Instead, focus on investing in good lenses and lighting equipment.
Over time—and after years of experimenting—you will begin to understand your needs as a photographer and whether it would be worth investing in a full-frame camera.
Why Use a Full Frame Camera?
Simply put, a full-frame camera captures more light and allows for a wider field of view. That can be extremely helpful for many situations, such as shooting in small spaces and dark environments. Moreover, it also affects image quality and depth of field, enabling you to get sharper photos with better bokeh.
To sum it all up, here are the three main reasons to choose full-frame cameras:
1. Increased Resolution
Many people would think that resolution depends entirely on the megapixel count. However, it’s the sensor size that matters the most. That’s why a 20-megapixel full-frame camera can produce better photos than a 40-megapixel phone camera.
As I mentioned before, a bigger sensor has bigger pixels, so it collects more data to create beautiful, crisp images.
In other words, a full-frame sensor allows for more detail in your pictures, resulting in greater flexibility for high-quality prints, cropping, or high-end retouching.
2. Better Low-Light Performance
Bigger pixels also capture more light, which can be particularly helpful in low-light conditions.
Full-frame cameras are ideal for working at night or in any dark environment without the risk of excess noise that can reduce quality.
3. Wider Field of View with a Narrower Depth of Field
A full-frame sensor offers a larger field of view than a cropped sensor. This is not only useful for working in small spaces but also has a direct effect on the depth of field.
By having a wider field of view, you must get closer to your subject to make it stand out within the frame. With that, you reduce the depth of field and blur the background a little more to create a softer bokeh effect— convenient for creating eye-catching portraits!
Full Frame vs. Crop Sensor
Sure, full-frame sensors offer many benefits for photographers, but what about cropped sensors?
Be sure to check our guide on full frame vs. crop sensor cameras.
Using a camera with a small sensor has many advantages. Depending on the kind of photography you create, you might not even need to upgrade to a full-frame camera.
Let’s talk about the main differences between full-frame vs. crop sensors:
1. Size
Size: the main advantage of a crop sensor camera is the size. An APS-C camera is more compact and lightweight, making it a better alternative for traveling and vlogging.
2. Price
Price: full-frame cameras are expensive and best suited for professionals. Instead, there are many more alternatives for beginner, intermediate, and professional photographers in the APS-C camera market.
3. Dynamic Range
Dynamic range: full-frame cameras allow for a wider dynamic range, making them the best alternative for night photography. Contrarily, cropped sensors can’t perform that well in low-light conditions.
4. Crop Factor
Crop factor: the crop factor is the ratio of a camera’s cropped sensor to a traditional 35mm full-frame sensor. All cropped sensor cameras have a crop factor that tightens the field of view and affects the effective focal length. For example, an APS-C sensor with a 1.5x crop factor will ‘transform’ a 50mm lens into a 75mm. With full-frame cameras, you wouldn’t have to worry about that.
Final Remarks
Full-frame cameras have countless benefits for most professional photographers, opening the door to a new world of creative possibilities. They are much more versatile, offering a wider dynamic range, superb image quality, outstanding resolution, and better low-light performance. Yet, they are a long-term investment that not everyone needs.
So, once again, the decision to go full-frame will depend entirely on who you are as a photographer.
Remember that no camera can do the work for you, so take the time to experiment with your current equipment before investing in new gear.
Want to know more? Check our article on full-frame vs. APS-C cameras!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a full frame and a DSLR?
The terms “full frame” and “DSLR” refer to different aspects of a camera. Full frame refers to the size of the camera’s image sensor, whereas a full-frame sensor is larger and captures more light than a cropped or APS-C sensor. DSLR, on the other hand, stands for Digital Single-Lens Reflex and describes a type of camera that uses a mirror and prism system to reflect the light from the lens into an optical viewfinder. While many full-frame cameras are DSLRs, there are also full-frame mirrorless cameras available.
Do professional photographers use full-frame?
Many professional photographers opt for full-frame cameras due to their larger sensor size, which provides advantages such as improved low-light performance, better dynamic range, and greater control over depth of field. However, the choice of camera ultimately depends on the photographer’s specific needs, the genre of photography, and budget, and some professional photographers achieve exceptional results with both full-frame and cropped-sensor cameras.
Do full-frame cameras do better in low light?
Full-frame cameras generally perform better in low light compared to cameras with smaller sensor sizes. This is because larger sensors capture more light, resulting in less image noise, improved dynamic range, and better overall image quality in challenging lighting conditions. However, technological advancements have also made smaller sensors capable of producing impressive low-light results in many cases.
Nate Torres, with over seven years of professional photography experience, founded Imaginated, an educational platform designed to teach photography enthusiasts. Nate Torres is also a professional portrait and headshot photographer in the Orange County and Los Angeles areas. He specializes in portraits of individuals, couples, groups and headshots. Nate Torres is also a photography writer and content creator and educates other photographers on exposure, photography composition, photography editing, photography gear, and photography business. You can find his content on his personal website, social media, and YouTube Channel, as well as on blogs such as Fstoppers, Photofocus, and SLR Lounge.
