Do You Really Need A Full Frame DLSR?

From the Best of Mark Toal

The full frame sensors used in DSLRs ostensibly measure the standard 24 x 36mm film standard, the Nikon 600 for example has a 35.9 x 24 mm imaging sensor. The Micro-Four Thirds standard sensor size is 18 × 13.5mm.

So tell me again why you need a full frame digital SLR? Every day more people are realizing that a mirrorless Micro Four-thirds camera can do everything that an APS-C sensor digital SLR can do and almost everything that a full frame digital SLR can produce.

Joe and I both have successfully used Micro Four-thirds cameras for studio work and portraits. Last week a designer I shoot for called and asked me to photograph the latest house she designed. Without hesitation I took my Panasonic Lumix GH3 with the Lumix G Vario 7-14mm f/4.0 ASPH lens and headed out. To make the above photograph I used a flash to bounce a small amount of light into the shadows but otherwise it’s all natural light.

For another look at senor size and making big images, please see Joe’s post ‘Do You Need a Big Sensor for Big Photographs?’ that appeared earlier this month.

What you can do with a Micro Four-thirds camera? Please visit Mirrorless Photo Tip each day Monday through Friday for tips, tools and techniques that will help you make better photographs. And if you enjoy our website and want to read more, help us keep things running by donating $5 by clicking the Support Us button at the right-hand site of this page.