fullformats

A full-frame camera refers to a digital camera that uses a full-frame image sensor. This sensor size is based on the dimensions of a 35mm film frame, which is approximately 36mm by 24mm. This established standard in film photography has carried over to digital sensor technology, with full-frame sensors being the largest common sensor size found in consumer digital cameras.

The primary advantage of a full-frame sensor is its ability to capture more light due to its larger surface area. This often translates to better low-light performance, with less digital noise at higher ISO sensitivities. Full-frame sensors also tend to produce images with a shallower depth of field, allowing photographers to achieve a more pronounced background blur (bokeh) which can isolate subjects effectively. Additionally, when using lenses designed for 35mm film, full-frame cameras will exhibit their native focal length without any cropping.

In contrast to full-frame, other digital cameras utilize smaller sensors, such as APS-C or Micro Four Thirds. These smaller sensors have a "crop factor," meaning they effectively shorten the field of view of a lens compared to its performance on a full-frame camera. While full-frame cameras offer distinct image quality advantages, they are typically larger, heavier, and more expensive than their smaller-sensor counterparts. The choice between full-frame and other sensor sizes often depends on the photographer's specific needs, budget, and desired image characteristics.