Are Full Frame Digital Cameras Better Than APS-C or M4/3 Cameras?

Fujifilm X-T1, 18-55mm f/2.8-3.5 lens @ 32.9mm; 1/35th sec. @ f/9; ISO 400 (click to enlarge)

So the question I was asked was, "Are full frame digital cameras better than crop sensor digital cameras, whether APS-C format of even M4/3 format?"

The next question has to be, "Better for what?"  Then I asked, "What are you going to do with the camera and what attributes of a camera system mean the most to you?  In other words, what do you need?"

Do you need absolute best image quality?
Do you need as light a weight system as possible?
Do you need to shoot at 8 or 10 or even 12 frames per second?
Do you need sophisticated flash capabilities?
Do you need to accurately track a rapidly moving subject and keep it in focus?
Do you need pocket-ability?
Do you need a large camera because you have large hands?
Do you need lots of options or just want a basic camera?
Do you need dials and knobs or prefer menus?
Do you need small and unobtrusive?
Do you need maximum battery life?
Do you need extremely high ISOs?
Do you need a tilt and swivel screen?
Do you need extremely long lenses?
Do you need to make very large prints?
Do you need to make images for sharing and only web viewing?
Do you need to shoot a lot of the time in low light?
Do you need only excellent JPEG images right out of the camera?
Do you need to carry all of your gear into the field most of the time?
Do you prefer image stabilization in the camera body or in lenses—or both?
Can you only afford less expensive gear?

And I can go on and on.  Full frame digital cameras are better in some ways than crop format digital cameras and not as good in other ways.  It all depends upon one's needs.

Before deciding on what camera will serve you best, you really need to sit down and write down your most important needs, then start to look for cameras in all formats that best meet your most important needs.

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!

Dennis A. Mook

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