A Canon full-frame sensor has an exact active surface area of 36x24mm.
Understanding Full-Frame Sensors
Canon's full-frame image sensors are designed to replicate the dimensions of a traditional 35mm film frame, which measures 36x24mm. This film format has a rich history, having been introduced as a standard width for movie film back in 1889. The adoption of this size in digital cameras provides a direct digital equivalent to a long-established photographic standard.
This specific sensor size is a cornerstone for many professional and enthusiast photographers due to the distinct advantages it offers in image quality and creative control.
Key Characteristics and Benefits
The 36x24mm dimension of a full-frame sensor provides several benefits:
- Superior Low-Light Performance: Larger photosites on a full-frame sensor can gather more light, resulting in cleaner images with less noise at higher ISO settings.
- Wider Field of View: Lenses mounted on a full-frame camera produce the focal length they are rated for, offering a true wider angle of view compared to smaller sensor formats that apply a "crop factor."
- Shallower Depth of Field: It's generally easier to achieve a more pronounced background blur (bokeh) with a full-frame sensor, which is desirable for portraits and selective focus photography.
- Dynamic Range: Full-frame sensors often exhibit better dynamic range, allowing for more detail in both highlights and shadows of an image.
Sensor Size Comparison
To put the full-frame size into perspective, here's a comparison with other common sensor formats used in digital cameras:
| Sensor Type | Approximate Dimensions | Crop Factor (vs. Full-Frame) | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Frame | 36mm x 24mm | 1x | Professional DSLRs, Mirrorless (e.g., Canon EOS R, EOS 5D series) |
| APS-C (Canon Crop) | 22.3mm x 14.9mm | 1.6x | Consumer/Prosumer DSLRs, Mirrorless (e.g., Canon EOS Rebel, EOS M, EOS R with RF-S lenses) |
| Micro Four Thirds | 17.3mm x 13mm | 2x | Compact mirrorless systems (e.g., Olympus, Panasonic) |
| 1-inch | 13.2mm x 8.8mm | 2.7x | Premium compact cameras, some drones |
Note: The "crop factor" indicates how much smaller the sensor is compared to full-frame, effectively magnifying the focal length of a lens.
Canon utilizes full-frame sensors in its high-end DSLR lines, such as the EOS 5D and EOS-1D X series, and prominently in its mirrorless EOS R system, including models like the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 Mark II, offering photographers top-tier image quality and performance.
