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Full Frame vs Crop Sensor Cameras in 2026 | Ask David Bergman

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Today's question from David J. is, "Are APS-C cameras as good as full-frame cameras?"

Go to http://www.AskDavidBergman.com to submit your own photo question and view the episode archive.
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00:00 Intro
00:45 Definitions
02:09 Crop Factor
03:34 APS-C Advantages
04:48 Full-Frame Advantages
08:04 APS-C vs. Full-Frame in 2026
10:05 Which Camera Is Right for You?

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✘ GEAR USED:

Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera
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Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens
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Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Camera
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Canon EOS R7 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
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Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Body https://dl.davidbergmanphoto.com/cle86

Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens
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Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Black Aluminum Tripod with MVH502AH Pro Video Head https://dl.davidbergmanphoto.com/tfa9g

Godox KNOWLED M300BI Bi Color LED Light
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Glow EZ Lock Octa Quick XL Softbox With Bowens Mount (48") https://dl.davidbergmanphoto.com/fghrb

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20 Comments

@felixrodriguez782 2 months ago Pinned

I started with apc cameras until I got canons 1DX MkIII for the full frame then when I when mirrorless I got the canon R5 which I now used as backup since I got the R5 mk II which give better response on my subject matters that I shoot ,
I am debating on if should get a apc camera for lighter load when on long trip.
This answers a few questions on the flexibility factor on full frame vs crop sensor Thanks David

@chocolatecatdad 2 months ago

The key is to understand the technical advantages and disadvantages of each sensor size and what do you really need. I shoot APS-C and have gotten used to the quirks of APS-C.

@descendinguniverse 2 months ago

Enjoying my Z50 II

@jammie-digitsmith4663 2 months ago

I've been doing photography for quite a long time, and started out with crop sensors and slowly moved to full frame. But I still use both cameras depending on where I'm going, what I need to do and the quality that I need to get. I shoot Nikon and they came out with a nice little z camera that I use as my carry around in my car. That way I don't have to take my big heavier cameras and I still get a good quality image. It is nice to have this update because I have noticed also that the crop sensor and full frame can have almost the same options. I think there's a lot of new photographers coming up that don't understand the crop sensor and this is a very good explanation.

@powephotography 2 months ago

I use a APSC mainly for the size and weight. I hike with my cameras and almost all of my photography is hiking. The main disadvantage I found it not finding longer telephoto lenses that are APSC sized. I could use full frame lenses but then takes away the advantage of smaller size and weight.

@filmphotog 2 months ago

For most folks, they don't EVER print and show their photos on line in reduced resolution. For them it's completely unnecessary.

@JamesJoseph-u1y 1 month ago

David, this is an excellent review and commentary on crop vs full frame. I have a FF DSLR and mirrorless APSC The smaller, lighter APSC is my go to now. I much prefer its size and weight. And the photo quality is the same or better. The FF low ight performance is negligible now with new tech APSC gear.

@sophietucker1255 2 months ago

I still use my Canon 7DMKII for wildlife and sports and still get very good and usable images. My best bald eagle images were made using the 7DMKII. I believe that while the body is important what with pixels and focusing the lens is the true heart of any good image

@shadowfoxsports 2 months ago

I agree with you - it really comes down to personal choice and what you intend to do with the camera. Personally I prefer FF cameras only because I tend to shoot in low light / night conditions and I need the advantage that the FF camera brings. But again, that's my choice. I know if I was a birder, I would definitely have the R7 in my bag. Currently shooting the R5 Mark II.

@el0blaino 2 months ago

I got aps-c after I got back into photography and realized I couldn’t afford the full frame camera I wanted and the store told me what aps-c was. If I never watched photography content I’d be completely satisfied! As it is I sometimes have to talk myself out of gear envy. Because in point of fact I do love that little camera and it makes great pictures.

@alwaysfirstclassmedia5375 1 month ago

thanks for sharing

@johnwinter6061 1 month ago

Good explanations.

And yes, that R50 is a little gem. It's why I traded my RP for an R8.

Yes APS-C CAN be as good as FF. I have
R8 24MP FF + 24-240
(Had RP 26MP with above lens)
R50 24MP APS-C + 100-400

I've got A4 prints that people cannot tell which is which.
In particular the RP @ 240 and 50% crop could not match the R50 @ 248 (effective 370) same image. Different quality. Optical zoom with APS-C beat cropping FF.

I agree the gap between FF and APS-C has shrunk. The gap between APS-C mirrored and FF mirrorless can disappear when they go on discount.

APS-C with long lenses is popular. Lighter and cheaper than FF equivalents with little difference in image quality.

As an aside that R8 is a low light killer. ISO 25,600 jpeg straight from the camera with noise hard to spot!

@jmtphotographymedia 2 months ago

Full frame = 35mm; APSC = Super 35. In the film world both were used and classics were made. Same can be done with photography. Features of the camera matter more these days. I personally feel Fuji X is all I need. A quality lens and flash can mitigate any low light "disadvantages', I embrace the grain, and use noise reduction if I don't. Its all about usage and choices.

@StuartRiley-d8m 1 month ago

David, Thank you for the video showing the differences in 2026. I have used every type of size of film and digital sensors in my many years. Due to my age and my declining ability to lift and carry heavy camera gear into the landscape and nature areas I typically shoot, I now use MFT or APS-C sized cameras. Both are less weight and are usually cheaper to fit into a smaller bag.

@johnclay7644 2 months ago

good question.

@Chris_Wolfgram 1 month ago (edited)

My first mirrorless camera was the R5.
A fine camera in many respects, but even with an 800mm lens, I was constantly doing 100% crops, and sometimes that still wasn't enough.
A friend talked me into renting an APS-C R7, and I immediately started killing it.
Ordered one of my own before I even returned the rental.

Then my R5 sat collecting dust.
Finally I sold it and bought a second R7. That was 3 yrs ago and I never looked back.

For my purposes, mostly trying to pull small to tiny birds up close and filling the frame, the R7 is a much better choice.

Btw, I couldn't care less about the weight of my kit. I use the 200-800, and it's always attached to a fully deployed 7 lb tripod and gimbal. My R7 "kit" weighs 13 lbs, and I hike many miles / hours with it fully deployed.
I ALWAYS use a tripod.

I don't really care about the price either. If Canon were to produce a straight up Pro level APS-C, and it cost $5K, I'd buy it.
But they never will, because there are not enough guys like me to make it profitable 🙁

@Avysaurus 1 month ago

For most cases, my crop is good enough to give great results. But when shooting bands in dark venues, I live for full frame.

@Proximax9 1 month ago (edited)

I used aps-c when I started... Then moved to aps-h... When I started my own company I got myself full frame. I'm thinking I will probably upgrade to medium format when my current camera (1DXii) is no longer sufficient, tho it will probably be a while

@peterleo16 2 months ago (edited)

This videio is good for those who do not understand 35mm F.O.V. when comparing with APS-C. They seem to alway say the lens focal length has changed from FF to APS-C not realising a lens focal length measurement will always be the same because it is designed and constructed as it was.

@winni223 2 months ago (edited)

The right answer is 'the one that pays your bills'. For 18 years as a commercial photographer in various niches no client has asked me if I shoot crop or FF. /Shooting primarily Nikon APS-Cs with lenses of both systems/