APS-C Sensor (1.5×) vs. Full-Frame 35mm Sensor
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
The Standard APS-C Sensor (measuring 23.5 × 15.6 mm with an active area of 366.6 mm² and a 28.21 mm diagonal) operates with a 1.53× (commonly rounded to 1.5×) crop factor relative to 35mm full frame. Standardized across Sony E-mount (Alpha 6000 series), Nikon DX (Z50, D500), and Fujifilm X-mount systems, it is the most popular interchangeable-lens enthusiast format.
The Full-Frame 35mm Sensor (measuring 36.0 × 24.0 mm with an active surface area of 864.0 mm² and a 43.27 mm diagonal) is the universal baseline benchmark in digital photography, defined with a 1.0× crop factor. Derived from the standard 35mm 135 still film format established by Oskar Barnack's Leica I in 1925, all focal length equivalents and field-of-view calculations are calibrated against it.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Dimensions (Width × Height)
|
23.5 × 15.6 mm (approx. 23.6 × 15.7 mm depending on silicon fab) | 36.0 × 24.0 mm (1.417 × 0.945 in) |
|
Diagonal Dimension
|
28.21 mm | 43.27 mm |
|
Active Surface Area
|
366.6 mm² (approx. 42.4% of 35mm full frame) | 864.0 mm² |
|
Native Aspect Ratio
|
3 : 2 (1.50 : 1) | 3 : 2 (1.50 : 1) |
|
Crop Factor
|
1.53× (Standard 1.5× focal length multiplier) | — |
|
35mm Equivalent Calculation
|
A 35mm lens yields the field of view of a 53.5mm lens on full frame (35 × 1.53) | — |
|
Camera Systems
|
Fujifilm X-T5/X-H2/X100VI, Sony A6700/FX30, Nikon Z50/Zfc, Ricoh GR III | — |
|
Crop Factor Benchmark
|
— | 1.00× (The reference baseline for 35mm focal length equivalence) |
|
Standard Pixel Pitches (Modern)
|
— | 4.5 µm (45 MP — Nikon Z8/Canon R5) to 8.4 µm (12 MP — Sony A7S III) |
|
Flagship Camera Implementations
|
— | Sony A7/A9/A1 series, Canon EOS R5/R6/R3, Nikon Z6/Z7/Z8/Z9, Panasonic Lumix S5/S1, Leica M/SL |