Digital cameras: Sony now offers full-frame MILCs (Alpha 7 family).
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Revision as of 16:18, 30 May 2014
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: APS-C cameras can use lenses designed for full-frame DSLRs or even for film cameras, but the field of view changes because of the smaller sensor. The effect can be estimated by multiplying the focal length by a constant, 1.5 for most brands and 1.6 for Canon. For example, on a Nikon or Pentax APS-C camera, a 100 mm lens acts much like a 150 mm lens on a full-frame camera. This effect is often an advantage with telephoto lenses but can be a problem when you want a wide-angle lens.
: APS-C cameras can use lenses designed for full-frame DSLRs or even for film cameras, but the field of view changes because of the smaller sensor. The effect can be estimated by multiplying the focal length by a constant, 1.5 for most brands and 1.6 for Canon. For example, on a Nikon or Pentax APS-C camera, a 100 mm lens acts much like a 150 mm lens on a full-frame camera. This effect is often an advantage with telephoto lenses but can be a problem when you want a wide-angle lens.
*'''MILC''' (mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras) or '''EVIL''' (electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lens) cameras, are similar to DSLRs but they do not have a mirror flapping up and down in the camera body, which means that camera size, noise and vibration can all be reduced. These are a relatively recent development; some people consider them the wave-of-the-future and suggest that they may soon eclipse DSLRs while others consider them far less important. Ideally, they might offer quality comparable to a DSLR in a package about the size of a compact, and the marketers claim this is already achieved. That may not be entirely true, but certainly they are an interesting alternative if you want high quality while keeping down the weight.
*'''MILC''' (mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras) or '''EVIL''' (electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lens) cameras, are similar to DSLRs but they do not have a mirror flapping up and down in the camera body, which means that camera size, noise and vibration can all be reduced. These are a relatively recent development; some people consider them the wave-of-the-future and suggest that they may soon eclipse DSLRs while others consider them far less important. Ideally, they might offer quality comparable to a DSLR in a package about the size of a compact, and the marketers claim this is already achieved. That may not be entirely true, but certainly they are an interesting alternative if you want high quality while keeping down the weight.
−
: Mirrorless cameras from Canon, Fuji,
Samsung
and
Sony
all use APS-C sensors, while Nikon and Pentax use smaller sensors. As of mid-
2013
the largest players in this market are the Sony NEX and the Micro Four
-
Thirds system, but competition is fierce and that might change.
+
: Mirrorless cameras from Canon, Fuji, and
Samsung
all use APS-C sensors, while Nikon and Pentax use smaller sensors
. Sony offers both APS-C and full-frame MILCs
. As of mid-
2014
the largest players in this market are the Sony
Alpha (being rebranded from
NEX
)
and the Micro Four
Thirds system, but competition is fierce and that might change.
: '''Micro Four Thirds''' (18 by 13.5 mm sensor) is a joint standard with several companies involved, the most important being Olympus and Panasonic. Several abbreviations are in use — μ43, m43, m4/3 and MFT; we use μ43 in our articles. The "four thirds" refers to the 4:3 aspect ratio used; 35 mm film, full frame cameras and APS-C all use use 3:2. The focal length multiplier is 2; a 100 mm lens on μ43 acts like a 200 mm on full-frame. Both Olympus and Panasonic offer a range of bodies and a range of lenses, and you can mix and match across brands.
: '''Micro Four Thirds''' (18 by 13.5 mm sensor) is a joint standard with several companies involved, the most important being Olympus and Panasonic. Several abbreviations are in use — μ43, m43, m4/3 and MFT; we use μ43 in our articles. The "four thirds" refers to the 4:3 aspect ratio used; 35 mm film, full frame cameras and APS-C all use use 3:2. The focal length multiplier is 2; a 100 mm lens on μ43 acts like a 200 mm on full-frame. Both Olympus and Panasonic offer a range of bodies and a range of lenses, and you can mix and match across brands.
: There are other players as well. Leica offer a few bodies and a number of lenses, mostly jointly developed with Panasonic. Voigtlander have three super-fast F''0.95'' manual focus μ43 lenses at focal lengths equivalent to 35, 50 and 85 mm.
: There are other players as well. Leica offer a few bodies and a number of lenses, mostly jointly developed with Panasonic. Voigtlander have three super-fast F''0.95'' manual focus μ43 lenses at focal lengths equivalent to 35, 50 and 85 mm.