Do you realy need Full Frame? Full Frame vs Crop Frame Cameras

 Do you realy need full frame? That's the question i hear often on youtube. And many youtubers compare an image taken with a full frame camera and another image taken with a crop sensor camera under the perfect light conditions like inside a studio or during a sunny day. And they claim that a cropped sensor camera is as good or almost as good as a full frame camera. 

Well my answer is yes. I do need a full frame camera. But sometimes i also need my Sonya6000 or my Lumix G9. Sometimes as a back up tool and some others as my main camera.

                                                          Sensor Sizes Comparison

 

First lets see why i need a full frame camera:

• Broader Dynamic Range. Sometimes modern APS-C cameras have better dynamic range than older full frame cameras. For example Canon 5D ii is not better than the Sony a6000
  
• Better high ISO performance and better low light capabilities in general. A bigger sensor can gather and use more light!
• Usually if not all of the times they have better and more Bokeh
• Better handling because the camera body has a larger size and full frame cameras usually target professional photographers
• Professional bodies. Full frame cameras have a bigger size and that means a large grip and better ergonomics. Usually both full frame lenses and bodies are weather sealed
  

So yes, a full frame sensor offers superior image and video quality with less noise and fewer artifacts.

 

                                             Image taken with an APS-C camera

 

But on the other hand a cropped sensor can be handy, at least sometimes. Why?

• Because it's cropped, a Micro 4/3 camera (2X) will turn a 200MM full frame lens to an equivalent of 400mm. That means better and more reach. And yes its budget friendly. There are photographers that use their full frame lenses to their aps-c bodies. For example, you can use your Sony A7iii E mount lens to your Sony a6500 body. You do not need an adapter for this purpose. Canon has a different approach though and you cant simply attach an EF-s lens to an EF mount.
  

• Usually for many people size does matter so they prefer a cropped sensor camera which is usually smaller and more compact.
  

So my answer is yes. I do need a camera with a full frame sensor to have better video and stills quality especially under harsh conditions. But if someone cant afford a full frame and/or he is interested in action and wildlife photography, a Micro Four Thirds Body or an APS-C will be his first choice. Some others prefer compact and lightweight designs that can fit inside their pocket. Do not forget that sometimes the best camera is the one that you can carry with you.