Is there any image-quality benefit to using DX lenses on a Nikon FX body?
Asked 7/18/2014
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2 answers
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I currently use a Nikon D3200 (DX) and am considering moving to a Nikon D610 (FX), but I can’t yet afford to replace my DX lenses with FX lenses. My main lenses are a Sigma 17-70 and Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.
I understand that DX lenses can be used on the D610, but the camera will crop to DX mode, reducing resolution compared with using the full FX sensor. Since both cameras are 24MP, would image quality be about the same when using these DX lenses, or is there still some benefit to the FX body?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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There's no benefit in terms of image quality to the larger sensor of the 610 if you are going to use DX lenses in crop mode (except possibly in noise, not sure exactly how the D610 cropped compares to the D3200). Having said that there's no real loss either when resizing images for the web - 10 megapixels is plenty.
You could probably get away with the 35 f/1.8 in FX mode if shooting in a dark environment where the black corners wont be as visible. You could also probably get an APS-H (1.3x crop) image out of it by chopping off the dark corners. I've done this with the Sigma 30 f/1.4 on a Canon 5D.
Likewise the Sigma zoom will probably project a large enough image circle for FX for at least part of the zoom range if you take the hood off.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
12y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
If you use DX lenses on the D610 in DX crop mode, there’s little to no image-quality advantage from the larger FX sensor itself. Because the camera crops, you won’t be using the full sensor area, and resolution will drop versus the D3200’s full DX-frame 24MP capture.
You may still see small differences in noise or processing, but the main image-quality factor here will be the lens, not the body format.
Where the D610 can still benefit you is in body features rather than pure IQ with DX lenses: better controls, higher shutter speed options, faster burst shooting, bracketing, and other advanced functions that can help for sports, wildlife, or landscapes.
Also, some DX lenses may cover more than the DX frame at certain focal lengths or with some corner darkening, but that depends on the specific lens and settings.
So: if you plan to keep using only DX lenses, don’t expect a major image-quality upgrade. The D610 makes more sense if you want its extra body features now and/or plan to add FX lenses later.
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