What is a Full Frame Camera?
In the world of photography, there is a lot of technical jargon to wade through and this can often feel overwhelming for newcomers or even those of us who enjoy taking photographs regularly but aren’t professionals. One of the most frequently asked questions by photographers of all levels is, “What is a full frame camera?”. It makes a lot of sense because they’ve become increasingly popular in recent times, and understanding how they work can undoubtedly help you to improve your photography skills.
In this post, we’ll look at what a full frame camera is, the technology behind them, and the advantages of using them in your photography sessions.
So, what is a full frame camera?
Before we get into the technical side of things, it’s important to understand what a full frame camera is.
A full frame camera is a digital camera containing a sensor that matches the size of a traditional film frame – 35mm. This is often referred to as a standard-sized sensor because 35mm has been such a dominant format within the world of photography for many years.
The Technology Behind Full Frame Cameras
Now we understand what a full frame camera is, let’s dive a little deeper into the technology behind it and why it’s so important.
Let’s start with the full frame sensor. It has a larger surface area than other sensors, which means that it can capture more light.
Why is this important?
The ability of the sensor to attract more light means that it is efficient at taking photographs in low-light conditions, which then leads to the capturing of clear images, even in suboptimal lighting.
Furthermore, the larger sensor also contains larger pixels that can absorb more information when photographs are taken and, therefore, this helps to maximise the ability of the camera to obtain rich details, dynamic ranges and less noise.
What is a Full Frame DSLR?
When you’re talking about full frame cameras, you’re almost certain to run into the term DSLR – or Digital Single Lens Reflex – which is a camera that uses a mirror mechanism. The mirror reflects light into the camera lens and through to an optical viewfinder. So, when you’re taking photographs with a full frame DSLR, you’re looking at real-time light entering your lens.
In contrast, you also have DSLM – or Digital Single Lens Mirrorless – which doesn’t contain the mirror mechanism. Instead, light directly hits the sensor, and the live image is displayed on the camera’s electronic viewfinder or LCD. The benefits of mirrorless cameras are that they have a lightweight body but can provide similar benefits to a full frame sensor.
When you combine the immediate feedback a DSLR provides with the benefits of a full frame sensor, you’re left with an impressive camera that offers both an authentic experience and high-quality results.
Advantages of Full Frame Cameras in Improving Your Photography
Now you understand the ins and outs of how full frame cameras work, it’s worth checking out the advantages of using them when trying to improve your photography. Consider the following as examples:
Better Image Quality
Larger pixels in a full frame help images to appear crisper, contain less noise and, therefore, benefit from improved clarity. This means that your photographs will continue to look impressive even on large prints.
Enhanced Low-Light Performance
Low lighting can be a tricky thing for photographers to deal with and often leads to blurry images. Full frame cameras deal with suboptimal lighting conditions with ease due to their ability to absorb more light. What this means is that you won’t be relying on artificial flashes, which is another bonus.
Wider Field of View
Full frame cameras provide a wider field of view, which can help you to capture your natural view more easily. With a smaller field of view, you don’t have this ability, so a lot of what you see with your eyes is missing from the final image.
Improved Depth of Field Control
When it comes to depth, full frame cameras provide greater control to the photographer, which means you can get more creative by blurring backgrounds and emphasising your chosen subject.
More Lens Options
There is a huge variety of lenses available for cameras these days, but full frame cameras go one step further with a diverse range of add-on equipment to meet any demand. That means the full frame cameras can deliver high-quality images in almost all photography scenarios and settings.
Conclusion
Ultimately, a full frame camera is the perfect option for both casual and professional photographers. They provide a large range of advantages over other options and can perform well in less-than-adequate conditions, which can help you to improve your photography skills.
Learn more about our range of Lumix S cameras in our full frame, mirrorless camera articles here.
