While full-frame DSLRs can often be used with APS-C lenses, compatibility varies between brands.Ĭanon’s own EF-S lenses simply won’t fit onto its full-frame cameras, but third-party lenses will, and can sometimes be used with acceptable results.
Older models also often have interchangeable focusing screens, including manual focus and grid screens. One further benefit of full-frame DSLRs is that they usually have larger, brighter viewfinders than APS-C models, which can help with composition. Because a number of full-frame lens types don’t make much practical sense on APS-C, most notably wideangle and normal zooms, they can be picked up relatively cheaply if you shop around a bit.
Wideangles in the 20-24mm range, or short telephoto ‘portrait’ primes of around 85-100mm, don’t have many direct equivalents in APS-C land, either in terms of focal length or the shallow depth of field effects they can create.įor users thinking of getting into full frame, some second-hand lens bargains can also be had. However, note the word ‘nice’ – it’s probably not worth buying a full-frame camera to resurrect zooms that were relatively cheap when new, as their optical quality won’t match modern lenses.ĭespite this, perhaps the biggest advantage of full frame is the huge range of lenses available, and primes in particular. This means that any nice lenses you still have for an old 35mm film camera will work on a full-frame digital model in much the same way as before.
In general, though, they still give impressive image quality, often with specific advantages in terms of either resolution or high ISO image quality, or both.įull-frame DSLRs are also compatible with lots of film-era lenses without any cropping of the angle of view. With the rapid advances in sensor technology, however, older full-frame SLRs tend to have less of an advantage over current models with APS-C sensors, so it’s worth thinking about this if you intend to buy an older or second-hand model. Traditionally, full-frame cameras have offered higher resolutions, better image quality at high sensitivities and greater dynamic range compared to their APS-C-format contemporaries. Then, once you have dipped your toe in the water and decided that you want to commit to full-frame shooting, you can sell your used full-frame camera and lose little, or no, money. With previous-generation DSLRs readily available, and at prices that can be less than half that of the latest models, you can get the advantages of a full-frame sensor at just a fraction of the cost. So before you commit to buying a new full-frame DSLR, you could consider the alternative option of purchasing a second-hand model.
Pentax has recently entered the full-frame market, with the launch of the K-1.īear in mind, not only will you face the cost of upgrading your camera, it’s very likely that you’ll also need to upgrade your lenses if you’re coming from an APS-C system – even though these cameras are now more affordable than ever, the costs can still significantly mount up. Meanwhile, Sony offers a range of full-frame E-mount, mirrorless cameras, as well as the Alpha 99 which uses translucent mirror technology. They both still cost over £1,000, so they’re still very considered purchases. In fact, we are now in a second, or even third generation of DSLR cameras with full-frame sensors that are priced within the reach of the average enthusiast.Ĭanon and Nikon both have “entry-level” full-frame cameras available, such as the Canon EOS 6D and the Nikon D610. Cameras with full-frame sensors are one such example of this.
As technology becomes more affordable, features that were once the preserve of the professional photographer filter down into cameras that are attainable for the average enthusiast.