Crop Factor Explained: Full Frame vs. APS-C vs. Micro Four Thirds

Crop Factor Explained: Full Frame vs. APS-C vs. Micro Four Thirds

2024-04-28 • 6 min read

Dive into the world of sensor sizes and understand how crop factor influences your photography in terms of field of view, depth of field, and more.

Crop Factor Explained: Full Frame vs. APS-C vs. Micro Four Thirds

Understanding crop factor is essential for photographers who want to make informed decisions about lenses and camera bodies. Crop factor refers to how a camera sensor’s size affects the field of view compared to a traditional 35mm full-frame sensor.

What is Crop Factor?

Crop factor is a ratio that describes how much smaller (or larger) a camera’s sensor is compared to a full-frame sensor. The most common crop factors are:

  • Full Frame (1.0x): Standard reference size (36mm x 24mm)
  • APS-C (1.5x or 1.6x): Smaller sensor, common in many DSLRs and mirrorless cameras
  • Micro Four Thirds (2.0x): Even smaller sensor, popular in compact and lightweight systems

How Crop Factor Affects Field of View

A lens mounted on a crop sensor camera will have a narrower field of view than the same lens on a full-frame camera. For example, a 50mm lens on an APS-C camera (1.5x crop) gives a field of view equivalent to a 75mm lens on full-frame.

Impact on Depth of Field

Crop factor also influences depth of field. For the same aperture and framing, crop sensors produce a deeper depth of field compared to full-frame sensors, which can affect background blur and subject isolation.

Why Does Crop Factor Matter?

  • Lens Selection: Understanding crop factor helps you choose the right lens for your desired composition.
  • Focal Length Equivalence: It allows you to compare lenses across different systems.
  • Creative Choices: Knowing how sensor size affects your images can help you achieve the look you want.

Conclusion

Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or wildlife, understanding crop factor will help you get the most out of your gear and make better creative decisions.

Back to Blog