An Introduction to DSLR Camera Technology
What does DSLR stand for?
Camera technology has come a long way, and it continues to evolve. Way back in the dark ages there were film cameras. If you were really into photography you could develop your own film in a dark room. Ever since the death of film, the market has been flooded with digital cameras. Since the technology is still fairly new as a whole, there are a lot of unknowns about digital photography, specifically high end digital cameras known as DSLR cameras. So, that begs the question, what does DSLR stand for anyways?
DSLR stands for digital single lens reflex. The DSLR camera technology combines a single lens reflex camera and an imaging sensor instead of film. If you want to break it down into the simplest definition possible, you are basically combining a lens and a computer sensor into one powerful machine. So that begs even another question. What is a single lens reflex?
Well, I’m glad you asked. A single lens reflex is the type of lens technology used from the lens into the camera’s sensor. In a single lens reflex design, the image of the photograph is sent through the lens. In transit, the image is bounced off of a mirror that alternates to send the image to a sensor within the camera itself and to the viewfinder so you can see where you are pointing the camera and what will be in the frame.
Now that you understand what DSLR stands for and how the single lens reflex design sends a photograph to the sensor and viewfinder, let’s explore what a sensor is and how sensor sizes differ from one another. There are two sensor types: full frame or 35mm equivalent, and crop sensor or APS-C. Beginner and some intermediate DSLR cameras will have APS-C sensors in them. Professional DSLR cameras, or more expensive cameras, will have a full frame sensor built into them.
Difference between full frame and APSC
When I’m talking with people interested in photography, people always ask me, “What is the difference between a full frame DSLR and a crop sensor DSLR?” Let’s go way back to the start of the saga with the death of film. Film’s most popular size was 35mm, however, when the DSLR camera came out, none of the sensors, which replaced film, were equivalent to 35mm. So, the big wigs at Canon put their heads together and came up with a sensor that was equivalent to 35mm. Thus began the great debate of full frame vs crop sensor.
Once the full frame sensor was introduced, Canon had to label all other sensors something. So, they chose to call them crop sensor DSLR cameras. Full frame sensors are actually 35mm equivalent sensors and crop sensors are APS-C sized sensors (as you might have seen them called before).
Positives of a full frame DSLR:
1) Low Light Performance – The performance of a full frame DSLR camera in low light situations cannot be beat. Their ISO goes WAY up there! Some even have an ISO range that tops out at 25,600! You might be thinking that the photograph is probably really grainy when taken at an ISO that high. Well, it is probably only about as grainy as a crop sensor would max out.
2) Bells and Whistles – Unfortunately, camera companies stay stingy when it comes to features that are built into DSLR cameras. Full frame cameras get more features built in, and crop sensors get the basics. It’s sad, really.
Negatives of a full frame DSLR:
1) Price – Full frame DSLR cameras are ridiculously expensive. Like, save for a couple years to buy one, expensive. In recent years, some full frame DSLR cameras have come down in price to tease us, but they are still very expensive.
2) Field of View – If you are a landscape photographer, don’t even read this because you want a larger field of view. All other photographers beware. Full frame DSLR cameras have a much wider field of view which won’t allow you to zoom as close to a subject like you are used to if you have been using a crop sensor.
Should I get a full frame?
The question, “Should I get a full frame DSLR camera,” is one that comes up all the time in the classes I teach as well as on forums, blogs, and all over the great and powerful Google machine. It’s a timeless question, really. There are pros and cons to full frame DSLR cameras just like any other large purchase. A ton of professional photographers use full frame DSLR cameras. Professional photographers most likely use full frames because of all of the features that are packed into the features menu.
First, if you are looking to buy your first DSLR camera, DO NOT buy a full frame DSLR. There are just way too many features that you can change. Just because it costs more doesn’t mean it’s going to produce better photographs for you. Actually your photographs might look worse because the learning curve of a full frame DSLR is so high.
I, for one, am a strong supporter of using your gear until you have learned it inside and out and can no longer progress your photography with it. If you really think that you know your camera as well as you know yourself, then you have my permission to upgrade to a full frame DSLR (like you need my approval…)
If you are an accomplished landscape photographer, I will fully support your decision to buy a full frame DSLR camera. Landscapes are my personal passion, so I know how much the wider field of view and additional features will help you. While I still think a crop sensor can do everything a full frame DSLR can do with accessories and plugins, I still support landscape photographers if they choose to upgrade to a full frame DSLR.
If you are a portrait or sports photographer I would think long and hard about switching to a full frame DSLR unless you are taking wildly creative shots that require multiple features. The crop sensor will still give you a zoomed in field of view, and it is loaded with almost as many features as a full frame DSLR.