When is the right time to move from APS-C to full frame?
Asked 11/9/2015
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2 answers
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I currently shoot with a Sony a6000 and am considering moving to a full-frame camera, likely mirrorless. I know this would also mean buying full-frame lenses.
Is there really a “right” time to buy a new camera body, or is it better to upgrade only when your current camera is limiting you? I’m also wondering whether full frame should be thought of as an upgrade at all, or simply a different format with different tradeoffs.
More specifically:
- What kinds of needs actually justify moving from APS-C to full frame?
- Are there common times of year when new camera bodies are announced, making it smarter to wait?
- Do full-frame bodies typically see discounts around the holidays, or mostly older/entry-level models?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
12
When you need to. That is the one and only time you need to think about it.
If the answer to one or more of these questions is a Yes, then you may want to consider an upgrade...
- Do you need a shallower depth of field?
- Do you need a bazillion megapixels?
- Do you want to use old or specific lenses that require full frame?
- Is your viewfinder too small?
- Is your current equipment broken and in need of replacement?
- Is there some specific limitation that a new body offers over your current one (significant improvement in ISO sensitivity/gamut?)
By need I do actually mean need as in it's necessary to get the output you intended or to fulfil contractual obligations - anything else is really a want.
As pointed out in a comment, if you feel the goal is always going to be for a larger sensor then you have to ask is it worth eschewing full-frame entirely in favour of Medium Format?
For most the limitations on photography are glass and their artistic skills and then the right time to upgrade is only when your current equipment starts to fail.
Originally by user14028. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user14028
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The best time to buy is when your current camera is no longer meeting a real need. Full frame isn’t automatically an “upgrade”; it’s a different format with pros and cons.
Reasons to move to full frame might include needing shallower depth of field, better high-ISO performance, more megapixels, a larger viewfinder, compatibility with certain lenses, or replacing broken gear. If your a6000 already does what you need, there’s no urgency.
In other words, buy for a specific limitation, not because full frame is assumed to be the end goal. APS-C can be the better choice for many photographers depending on cost, size, weight, and effective reach.
As for timing, camera announcements often cluster around late fall and late winter/early spring, so if you’re not in a hurry, it can be worth watching those periods. But there is always another model coming, so waiting forever rarely helps.
Holiday discounts can happen, but they’re not guaranteed, and they often apply more to older models than brand-new releases. If a current camera meets your needs and fits your budget, that’s usually the right time.
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