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Micro 4/3rds vs. Full Frame

Started 10 months ago | Questions thread
philzucker
philzucker Forum Pro • Posts: 10,390
Re: Micro 4/3rds vs. Full Frame
5

photojoe55 wrote:

Am I correct that in Macro work, the main advantage of Full Frame is due to the sensor size, (1:1 = 1:1 and it is simply quite a bit larger)

I wouldn't say "advantage". Depends on what you want to achieve, because the designation "1:1" is tied to sensor size. An object 36 mm wide fills a full frame sensor at 1:1, an object 18 mm wide a m4/3 sensor also at 1:1. If both sensors have the same pixel count and resolution is not diffraction or lens limited, magnification of similar sized prints will be greater with the smaller sensor.

and a main advantage of a smaller sensor like micro 4/3rds is an increased Depth of Field? If that is correct, would an even smaller sensor like in the FZ300 produce an even greater Depth of Field?

It's not that simple, because you have to factor in diffraction. It's true that you get more DOF at the same f-stop with smaller sensors, but diffraction sets in earlier too. In macro work you get to diffraction limiting apertures very soon, especially with smaller sensors. In the end looking at similar sized prints of pictures taken at diffraction limited resolution, sensor size doesn't make a difference - all prints will have the same DOF.

Thank you in advance, …Joe

Hope this helps!

Phil

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