Written by Sanne
Edited on
19 April 2024
·
15:45
What's the difference between all image sensors?
Before you buy a camera, it's important to know what type of image sensors there are. The image sensor of the camera largely determines the quality of your photos. Be sure to make a well-considered choice about this. We'll explain the most important features of each most common image sensor here.
Full-frame
A full-frame sensor is the largest possible image sensor. The size of the images are the same as that of an old movie tape.
- A full-frame sensor provides a better image quality and sharper photos.
- With the large amount of pixels on the sensor, you reduce the risk of noise and can take better photos in low light.
- You can take photos with a wider image angle with a full-frame sensor, which is useful for architectural and interior photography.
- A full-frame sensor makes a camera more expensive, larger, and heavier.
APS-C
A sensor of APS-C format is the most common image sensor for digital cameras. They are a lot bigger than the sensors in small cameras.
- Thanks to the crop factor, the image is already zoomed in a bit, so that you don't need a big zoom lens.
- More lenses are available for APS-C sensors.
- With an APS-C sensor you have less trouble with distortion and vignetting at the edges of your image.
- If you use high ISO values, you get more noise in your photo.
Micro Four Thirds
A Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor is a quarter of the size of a full-frame sensor. You can often find these sensors in mirrorless cameras.
- A camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor is often very compact.
- If you buy a camera with this type of sensor, lenses of many different brands often fit into it.
- The MFT sensor has a crop factor of 2, so you can zoom in a lot on subjects like wild animals.
- You are much more likely to get noise at a high ISO value.
1 \ "
A 1-inch sensor is the largest sensor among the small sensors, and this type of sensor can be found in compact cameras.
- Cameras with a 1-inch sensor are compact and lightweight.
- A 1-sensor provides the best image quality of all small sensor types.
- The images that a 1-inch sensor makes contain very little detail.
1/2.3"
Most compact cameras have a 1/2.3-inch sensor. Other versions of small sensors that occur in compact cameras are 1/4 inch, 1/3 inch and 1/3.5 inch.
- Because of the small sensor, the camera is small and light, and you take with you everywhere.
- The image quality of cameras with a 1/2.3-inch sensor or smaller is minimal.
