Comparison of full-frame DSLR cameras from 2012
The new Nikon D600 camera. Photo by Nikon.
Comparison of full-frame DSLR cameras from 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera: | Canon EOS 6D | Nikon D600 | Nikon D800 | Sony α99 |
| Pixels (effective): | 20.2 MP | 24.3 MP | 36.3 MP | 24.3 MP |
| Sensor size: | Full frame (36mm × 24mm) | |||
| Sensor type: | CMOS | |||
| Optical viewfinder: | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Weight1: Body+battery+memory (Body only) | 755g (680g) | 850g (760g) | 1,000g (900g) | 812g (733g) |
| Screen size: | 3.0" | 3.2" | 3.2" | 3.0" |
| Autofocus points: | 11 | 39 | 51 | 192 |
| Frames per second | 4.5 | 5.5 | 4 | 6 |
| Built-in flash: | No | Yes | Yes | Yes? |
| Max ISO: | 25600 | 6400 | 6400 | 25600 |
| Built-in GPS: | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Price3: | $2,100 | $2,100 | $3,000 | $2,800 |
| Specifications: | Canon | Nikon | Nikon | Sony |
| 1. Weight: CIPA standard, with battery and memory card, without body cap, without lens. In brackets: camera body only. 2. The Sony α99’s main focusing system — a 19-point AF system with 11 cross sensors — is complemented by a 102-point focal plane phase-detection AF sensor overlaying the main image sensor. 3. List price, body only (no lens) | ||||
What size is Full Frame? | |
|---|---|
| Canon full-frame: | 35.8 mm × 23.9 mm |
| Nikon full-frame ("FX"): | 35.9 mm × 24.0 mm |
| Sony full-frame: | 35.8 mm × 23.9 mm |
| Sources: Canon, Nikon, Sony | |
What is “full-frame”?
The term “full-frame” means that the physical size of the image sensor is 35–36 mm wide. This is the full “35mm” size of traditional roll film.
Sensor sizes compared. Image from Wikipedia
The size “35mm” comes from the 3-¼″ movie film made by George Eastman (Kodak), for the cinematography work of William Dickson and Thomas Edison in 1892.
“The 35 mm width with 4 perforations per frame became accepted as the international standard gauge in 1909, and has remained by far the dominant film gauge for image origination and projection despite challenges from smaller and larger gauges, and from novel formats, because its size allowed for a relatively good tradeoff between the cost of the film stock and the quality of the images captured.”
— Wikipedia, 35 mm film
When Eastman modified his 35mm cinema film for still photography, he increased the size slightly to 36mm × 24mm, which became a de-facto standard following his patent in 1908.
Until recently, most SLR cameras used smaller-sized sensors as they are easier (e.g. cheaper) to produce. But a larger size sensor (for the same megapixel resolution) gives more space per pixel to record light, thus producing a better quality image.
Larger sensors are used in medium-format and large-format cameras, but they cost a lot more. Smaller sensors are used in APS, Four Thirds, Micro Four Thirds (MFT) and smartphone cameras, but they are generally lower quality.
One advantage of full-frame sensors is that they can take full advantage of the same lenses used for 35mm SLR photography.
Nikon’s term for full-frame is “FX.”
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Comments
Reply by Power Production.sudesh@gmail.com
December 28, 2019
Can you suggest me should I go for aps or four therd.. bcz my budget is no for full frame..
Reply by Jk
December 31, 2012
Hi, I think you missed Canons 5D Mark III. Cheers
Reply by Andrew Hudson, PhotoSecrets
January 6, 2013
CANON 5D Mk III
Hi JB,
You are right. Thanks for the note. I will add the Mk III.
Andrew