Understanding a Full-Frame vs. a Cropped-Sensor Camera

Lately I have been asked a lot of questions about cameras, which one to buy and what the difference is between a full-frame camera vs. a crop-sensor camera. SO I decided to spell it out simply so you can understand the difference between cameras that have a full-frame sensor and a crop-frame sensor. 

On a full-frame camera (a camera with a full-frame sensor) this is referring to a sensor-size that is equal to 35mm film. In other words, the rectangular sensor that captures your image will record the same area as 35mm film will (roughly 24mm x 36mm). 

A cropped-sensor refers to any camera that has a smaller sensor than that of a full-frame camera. Most entry-level cameras have this cropped sensor. If you were to take the same photo with a full-frame camera, using the same lens from the same distance as a crop-frame camera, the cropped-frame camera would capture a smaller field of view; this means a smaller piece of the scene projected by your lens. The full-frame camera will get more of the edges of the same scene, or more 'real-estate'. 

You can see the difference in the example below. The image on the left was taken with a Canon 5D Mark III and the image on the right, a Nikon D7000. Both cameras had a 50mm lens, shot with an aperture of f/2.8 and were taken from the same spot (the same distance from the dog). 

Every cropped-sensor camera has a crop factor of either 1.3 x, 1.5x or 1.6x (the field of view gets smaller). This means your sensor will be a smaller version of a full-frame sensor. 

Let's take a look at what each option has to offer to figure out which one is right for you. 

Full-Frame

A full frame sensor will give you better performance in low light scenarios, allowing you to have a better ISO performance at high ISO numbers. They also give you a little better image quality than a crop sensor. This is why they are considered "professional camera bodies" and most professional photographers pick full-frame cameras over cropped. Full-frame also allows a wider-angle of view which can be helpful for things like landscape or architectural photography. A full-frame DSLR will also give you a slightly more shallow depth-of-field than a crop sensor DSLR. 

Advantages: 

• Better low light performance

• Shallower depth of field

• Better dynamic range

• Wider angle of view

Cropped-Frame

Having a cropped sensor will lose that extra 'real-estate' in your photo. With a wide-angle lens on a crop-sensor camera, you won't get the widest field of view like you would with a full-frame camera. On the other hand, a crop-sensor DSLR paired with a telephoto lens will give you more distance from this smaller field of view. For example, if you have a 200mm lens on a crop-sensor camera, you apply the 1.5x crop factor to the lens (200 x 1.5 = 300). This would really get you 300mm focal length for the subject you are shooting, or in other words, FREE ZOOM! This can be very beneficial for shooting subjects that are far away, such as getting closer shots of an athlete in a sporting event or for wildlife photography. We'll talk more about the crop factor and lenses later on. 

Advantages: 

• More affordable

• Wider range of lens selection

• Increased focal length

• Lighter and smaller 

For most people, the decision is based upon cost. Think about the advantages of both, how they apply to what you photograph and what your budget for photography is in order to make the best decision.

In my next post I will teach you how to understand the way lenses work with both full-frame and crop sensor cameras. This can be confusing to understand so hopefully I can make it more simple for you!

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Understanding Lens Selection

Now that you have your DSLR, it's time to switch gears and consider lens selection. Before choosing the right lens you need to know a little more about how they work! The first thing to understand is that every lens has a certain focal length(s) which is measured in millimeters (such as 50mm). This focal length, paired with the kind of sensor your camera has, determines how much can fit into a photo. 

Shorter focal lengths or wide angle lenses such as 20mm or 35mm allow you to be close to your subject (they fill most of the frame) and the background seems to be farther away. They also allow you to fit more into your frame.

Longer focal lengths, such as 105mm or 300mm lenses, allow you to stand farther away from your subject (having your subject fill your frame) but the background seems closer than normal. These lenses make a smaller area look larger (the higher the focal length number is, the more zoom you'll have). Let's break it down into the types of lenses there are and why you would want to shoot with these lenses. 

Wide Angle Lenses: The shorter your focal length is, the wider your angle of view will be or the more you'll be able to fit into your image. A wide-angle lens is usually considered anything under 35mm. This is especially useful for landscapes and interiors; trying to fit as much of scene in a photo as you can.

Standard Lenses: Standard lenses (such as 50mm or 85mm) are great for portraits and everyday scenes. A 50mm lens acts similar to the way our eyes see a person or subject; thus being a standard lens (with standard magnification) making our subject look more natural. Most cameras come with a kit lens, such as an 18-55mm lens. 

Telephoto Lenses: Telephoto lenses don't fit as much in the frame. This allows you to get closer shots of your subject and have a smaller depth of field (easier to get a blurry background). Telephoto lenses can be great when shooting portraits, wildlife and/or sports because they allow you to get close to your subject. 

When considering a lens, it is important to remember that not all DSLR camera's have the same size of sensor. The lens and the sensor go hand-in-hand so be sure that the lens you buy is compatible with the format of your sensor. Most entry-level DSLR cameras have a smaller or cropped sensor (like an APS-C sensor); when choosing a lens, a standard 50mm lens acts like a 35mm lens on a cropped-sensor camera (the view isn't as wide as it would be if the lens was on a camera with a full-frame sensor).

Here's a list of what companies label their APS-C format SLR lenses:

• Canon - EF-S

• Nikon - DX

• Pentax - DA

• Sony - DT

• Sigma - DC

• Tamron - Di II

• Tokina - DX

You can use full-frame camera lenses on an cropped-sensor camera, but these APS-C format lenses will not work properly on a camera with a full-frame sensor. Keep this in mind if you plan to upgrade to a full-frame camera body in the future. Each camera has a certain kind of lens mount as well, which means how a lens physically fits onto the camera. You won't be able to mount a Canon lens to a Nikon camera :) 

Lenses are categorized into two categories; fixed or prime lenses and zoom lenses. A fixed lens stays at one focal point (like 50mm) and doesn't have any moving parts. They are smaller, lighter and allow for brighter, sharper images. Since they have no moving parts, the glass provides higher quality images. Fixed lenses are considered 'faster' because they have large apertures (like f2.8) which let in more light. Zoom lenses (such as 18-55mm) allow you to move from one focal length to another. These can be convenient but you'll give a little of the quality when choosing a zoom lens. They just aren't quite as sharp as fixed lenses.

Consider your subject matter and what you spend the majority of your time photographing. This will determine the kind of lens you want to invest in. If you shoot sports, wildlife or street-style photographs, a zoom or telephoto lens would be a great choice for you. If you want great portraits, investing in prime lenses is the direction to go. If you want an all-around lens to travel with that will give you a good range, something like an 18-200mm lens would be nice to have. Cameras are excellent these days, the real difference is made when you pair your DSLR with a great lens. They can be expensive but the investment is worth it to get great images. We'll cover more about recommended lenses soon!  

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Top Five Point and Shoot Cameras Under $500

Christmas is right around the corner! Here is another great gift guide with my round-up of the top five point and shoot cameras under $500.00! If you're looking for a step up from your camera phone, but still want something compact and easy to travel with or fit in your pocket, check out these sweet little cameras. 

1. Sony DSC-RX100/B - $398.00 (amazon)

• 20.9 Megapixel 1"-type Exmor CMOS sensor

• 28-100mm eauivalent F/1.8-4.9 lens

• Up to 10 frames per second

• ISO 125-6400 + expandable

• 3" LCD screen 

• 1080p video

This camera is stunning. There are newer versions, but they cost much more and this quality at this price is hard to beat! It has excellent image quality due to its large sensor, with a fast auto-focus and an awesome f1.8 Carl Zeiss lens with 3.6x zoom. This lens is sharp! The body is ultra-slim and sleek. When it was first released, some said it was "...the most appealing pocket-sized digital camera yet" and it was "a monumental achievement in the technology" (for point and shoot cameras). 

2. Sony Alpha a6000 - $548.00 (amazon)

• 24 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor

• ISO 100-25600

• Hybrid AF with 179-point cocal plane phase-detection 

• Up to 11 frames per second continuous shooting

• 3-inch tilting LCD with 921,000 dots

• OLED electronic viewfinder

• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC (wireless sharing)

OKAY this one is JUST over $500, but it might be work the extra $50!! This is an amazing mirrorless camera that has an amazing sensor (same as most entry-level DSLRs), offers manual modes, has a great autofocus, allows you to shoot in a RAW format, shoots HD video and has wi-fi sharing. My sister has this camera and she has been really impressed with it, and loves it. It's a high-quality, high-class camera and it even comes in white! You also have the option to interchange lenses

3. Canon Powershot SX710 HS - $279.00 (amazon)

• Built-in Wifi connectivity, wireless transfer of images and video to compatible mobile devices

• 20.3 Megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor with DIGIC 6 Processor

• 30x optical zoom (25-750mm)

• Large 3-inch LCD with wide viewing angle

• Stunning 1080p HD video with a dedicated movie button

This well-designed, well-built canon boasts an incredible zoom lens, image-stabilization, noise-reduction and the ability to share photos to social media and mobile devices. It performs well in low-lit settings and has a quick focus. You also have full control of your exposure (manual mode). The flash isn't annoying and only pops up if you push the button and tell it to. The quality and zoom this canon has at this price makes it a great buy!

4. Nikon Coolpix S9900 - $272.95 (amazon)

• 30x optical zoom telephoto lens with vibration reduction

• 60x with Dynamic Fine Zoom and enhanced digital zoom

• Swiveling vari-angle display

• 3.0-inch 921,000-dot LCD screen

• Wi-Fi and NFC sharing

This 16 Megapixel camera has great quality and detail and packs a pretty great zoom lens, with vibration reduction. It also allows automatic and manual controls for honing creative skills. The video has a time-lapse option, which is also fun. Some complain about poor photos in low-light; if you have the patience to try the manual shooting modes this can be avoided. If you want to leave it on full-auto mode, you might not love the results in lower-lit settings. People love the design and build of the camera, the swivel LCD screen and the great zoom.

4. Olympus TG-4 - $349 (amazon)

• 4X wide-angle optical zoom with fast f2.0 high speed lens

• Waterproof to depths of 50 feet, freeze proof to 14 degrees F, shockproof to 7 feet, crushproof to 220 lbs. 

• RAW capture, Underwater HDR & Modes

• Wi-Fi / GPS / e. Compass

• 1080P HD Video

This tough camera is basically disaster proof and still takes sharp and bold photos! You can drop it from 7 feet, take it in cold-weather climates and completely under water for great images. If you're looking for an adventure and a great camera to carry along with you, this is one of the greatest rugged cameras out there AND it still fits in your pocket!

Images Courtesy of Amazon.com.

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Black Friday Deals on Camera Gear

Everyone loves a good deal. Black Friday is just around the corner and I decided to feature some amazing Black Friday sales on cameras and other gear that are too good to pass up! It's worth looking into to save (in a lot of cases) hundreds of dollars. If you're shopping around, think first about what you're looking for and watch out for bundles. If they include a lens you know you won't use much, steer clear of that and save your cash for a lens you really want. Another way to save big is by considering purchasing a previous model of a camera body. Remember, if you are starting out, there are a lot of amazing cameras out there and you don't always have to feel pressure to buying the latest and greatest! Let's get to the deals!

DSLR Cameras:

If you're looking at a beginner DSLR camera, this deal on the Nikon D3200 with two lenses is a good buy. You save $480.00 on this bundle, giving you the 18-55mm kit lens and a zoom lens, with the camera body for only $396.95! They basically give you the zoom lens for free. We can't complain about that. 

To get the newer edition of this camera with one lens, the Nikon D3300 with the 18-55 kit lens will be $399.00 on best buy; also a good deal if the newer camera means more to you. 

The Canon EOS Rebel SL1, is on sale for $449.00 (saving $250) and you can even get it in white if that sounds fun to you!

This Nikon D7100 bundle price will drop to $999.00 on Best Buy, which is a great deal saving you $700! This is a great Nikon camera for those looking into a step above the more affordable entry-level DSLRs. 

The Canon Rebel T5 with two lenses will be on sale for $399.99 on Best Buy, saving you $350. 

If you're looking for an awesome full-frame camera or want to upgrade, the Canon 7D Mark II DSLR body is on sale for $1,299.00 ($500 off). 

For Best Buy's full Black Friday ad for Cameras click here. To review and read my article about my top picks for entry-level DSLRs click here. 

Point & Shoot Cameras:

If a DSLR seems like a burden to carry around and you're looking for more compact camera, consider a point and shoot. This deal saves you $250 on the Sony Alpha a6000. This is an amazing mirrorless camera that has a great sensor (same as most entry-level DSLRs), offers manual modes, allows you to shoot in a RAW format, shoots HD video and has wi-fi sharing. The price is $548.00, and this link will get you a hidden bundle that comes with a bag, a card, two batteries and a charger for the same price as just the camera! The previous model, the Sony Alpha a5000 is also amazing and is on sale for $398.00. My sister has this and she loves it. 

The Canon Powershot ELPH is a lower-priced popular point and shoot, and it's on sale for $159.00. It offers 20.2 megapixels, HD video, and wi-fi sharing. Some reviews say that the image quality from this camera is fine for everyday sharing and social media, but not as great as they hoped for. My advice- always be sure to check the reviews to get a better idea if the product is right or not for you. This seems like an easy buy for the low price but the image quality might be a little lower.  

The Canon Powershot G7 X is a point and shoot that boasts high quality images with its great sensor and fast lens. Save $150 and get this little camera for $549.00. The battery life isn't the greatest, but people seem to love the results when shooting with this one. 

Lenses:

This Nikon macro & portrait lens bundle gets you two lenses for $496, saving you $320! This is a great deal. 

If you shoot Canon and want a telephoto lens that is good for shooting in the outdoors with enough light, or don't mind using a tripod, this Canon EF 75-300mm lens is only $179.00.  

Other Gear:

Get a 32GB SD card for only $14.99! This one ends in two hours on amazon.

Need an external drive for photo and/or video storage? This Western Digital 4TB drive is $40 off for only $119.00 (this is for Mac OSX users). 

This Tamrac bag has great reviews and can be used as a backpack or a sling bag. It is on sale for $69.95 saving you $60.

For the outdoorsy type, this Clik Elite Obscura backpack is bright and fun and is only $69.95, saving you just over $100. 

If you are looking for something more fashionable, like this really cute lavender Kelly Moore bag, it's on sale for $199, saving you almost $60. This is a good deal for this great brand. 

This fun ZLYC vintage bag is on sale for $155, saving you $195! 

If you need a tripod or a bag and purchase one of their qualifying camera accessories, you can get a $50 credit from amazon on future camera or lens purchases. 

Good luck shopping!

Best Beginner DSLR Cameras

It's November! Black Friday is approaching quickly, as well as Christmas. For a lot of people, this means thinking about upgrading or investing in a DSLR camera. It can be overwhelming sometimes to try and decide which DSLR camera to buy. Nikon and Canon are leading the industry, even though some companies such as Sony are quickly catching up. When it comes down to it, both Nikon and Canon have great technology, design and functions. Canon seems to be a little more popular as far as sales goes. You really can't go wrong with either brand, and if you are just starting out, you can almost close your eyes and point to one of their camera bodies from the last two years to present, and absolutely love it.

It is important to remember that camera bodies are remarkable now-a-days. Investing in a good lens is where you will notice the difference in image quality. Prime or fixed lenses have great glass and create sharper images than zoom lenses that have moving parts. Think about what kind of photography you plan to do in the future, and what kind of lens/lenses you might need to save up for to get you the best results. If you already have a lens or two from a certain brand, it would be smart to go with that brand. I highly recommend adding on a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens to begin with. These retail for around $100 with canon, $200 for nikon. This is an extremely affordable lens that can take great portrait, product and food shots. The low aperture on this lens will give you a more shallow depth of field that people love. Also think if family members or friends have gear you might want to share with; it would be beneficial to get the same brand as them. Most friends and family I know usually pick between Canon and Nikon, so my recommendations are based between these two brands.

Here is my guide for the best DSLR cameras for beginners. All of these are under $1,000.

1. Nikon D3300 - Price $446.95 (with kit lens on amazon)

• 24.2 Megapixel CMOS DX-format sensor

• 5 frames per second

• 11 Auto Focus points with 3D tracking

• ISO 100-12800 +

• 1080 HD video / 3" LCD screen

• Easy panorama mode & a beginner friendly guide mode on camera

• Wi-Fi enabled (send photos wirelessly to your phone or tablet)

With the built-in beginner guide (on screen instructions/descriptions of settings), superior image and video quality and access to hundreds of Nikon lenses at that kind of price - this is a great pick. This camera controls the noise/grain in photos taken at a higher ISO very well (find out why ISO directly relates to image quality in my previous post Understanding ISO). It is also light-weight and pretty small for those looking to lighten their load. 

2. Canon EOS Rebel SL1 - Price $499.00 (with kit lens on amazon)

• 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor

• 4 frames per second continuous shooting

• 9 point Autofocus system

• ISO 100-12800 + 

• 1080 HD video

• 3" touch panel LCD screen

• Movie Servo AF (continuous focus tracking while recording video)

If you're searching for a smaller DSLR body, this is also great pick. This canon offers auto focusing while recording video which is awesome, and an improved live-view mode. 

3. Canon T5i - Price $649.00 (with kit lens on amazon)

• 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor

• 5 frames per second continuous shooting

• 9 point Autofocus system

• ISO 100-12800 +

• 1080 HD video

• 3" articulating touch panel LCD screen

• Movie Servo AF (continuous focus tracking while recording video)

This is a great Canon if you're going to take photography further than just a basic first-step DSLR. There is a T6i out, but the battery life is weaker and it struggles to track movement (no AF in live view). I'm not sure the extra Megapixels would make the T6i worth the extra money. The T5i comes with an upgraded kit lens, which is well worth buying this model over the T4i (which had some issues with the grip, otherwise almost identical to the T5i). 

4. Nikon D5500 - Price $796.95 (with kit lens on amazon)

• 24.2 Megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor

• 39-point Autofocus system

• 5 frames per second continuous shooting

• ISO 100-25,600

• High resolution, fully articulated 3.2" LCD touch screen

• Wi-Fi (share images to phone/tablet wirelessly) 

The D5500 is comparable to the D3300 when it comes to image quality, but boasts some of the newer features such as the tilting LCD screen, a more expansive Autofocus system, longer battery life and Wi-Fi if those are important to you. It also has a better grip making it easier to hold. If you want to save a couple hundred bucks, check out the Nikon D5300. The D5500 is almost the same camera, it just basically adds the touch screen and a longer battery life. 

If you're hoping to save a little more on a DSLR, you can always look into the predecessors of some of these models or look into buying used gear. It can be a risk, but you can also luck out and get great deals from others wanting to upgrade. If you can't decide between the lower priced Nikon D3300 vs. the Canon SL1, I'd recommend the D3300. Not just because I'm a Nikon shooter :) read more about that comparison here.

If you're willing to spend a little more, I also love the Nikon D7000 (now just around $500 for the body) and the D7100 is the more expensive upgrade (around $800 for the body), with the newest model the D7200 (around $1100 for the body) if you are wanting a step closer to the professional DSLR cameras. All three of these are great options. The Canon 70D is also a great option on this level (around $1200 with an 18-55mm kit lens).

Feel free to visit my contact page if you have any further questions about which camera is right for you!

Source - www.amazon.com