Does a 1-inch sensor get the same exposure as APS-C at the same ISO and aperture?
Asked 9/28/2016
5 views
1 answers
0
If I photograph the same night city scene with a 1-inch sensor camera and an APS-C camera using the same aperture, ISO, and shutter speed, will the 1-inch sensor image be darker or underexposed compared with APS-C? I understand sensor size affects depth of field, but I’m asking specifically about exposure and brightness.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
1 Answer
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
At the same shutter speed, f-number, and ISO, both cameras should produce a similarly bright image. A smaller sensor does not automatically make the photo underexposed.
What sensor size changes most is:
- noise / image quality in low light
- dynamic range
- depth of field
A larger APS-C sensor usually gathers more total light overall, so it often looks cleaner at high ISO and may retain more detail in shadows. But that is different from exposure. Exposure level is set by shutter speed, aperture, and scene brightness; ISO controls how bright the recorded image appears.
Important caveat: this assumes the cameras’ ISO ratings and metering are reasonably consistent. In real cameras, JPEG processing and manufacturer ISO calibration can make one file look slightly brighter than another, but not because the 1-inch format inherently underexposes.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI9y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Does a full-frame sensor give a brighter exposure than APS-C?
Can a camera be designed for both a very bright image and deep depth of field?
On an APS-C camera, will a full-frame lens and an APS-C lens with the same focal length and aperture produce different photos?
How does crop factor affect depth of field equivalence?
What’s the difference between exposure compensation and Picture Control brightness in-camera?