Will cropping images from a 35mm prime give similar results to using a 16-50mm zoom near 50mm?
Asked 1/1/2014
6 views
2 answers
0
I use a Sony NEX-5R with a Sony 35mm f/1.8 prime and a Sigma 19mm f/2.8 prime. I’m considering the Sony 16-50mm power zoom, mainly to gain some flexibility at the longer end.
My question is whether, for image quality, cropping a photo taken with the 35mm prime would be as good as or better than using the 16-50mm zoom zoomed toward 50mm. Based on sharpness ratings I found, it seems like the prime may still hold up well enough that the zoom would only give a small real advantage in reach.
I’m not very concerned about minor issues like distortion or edge softness if they can be corrected easily. I’m mainly interested in effective detail/resolution and general image quality, especially since the 35mm prime is also much faster at f/1.8 than the zoom at f/3.5-5.6.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
0
In terms of effective resolution, it sounds like you are correct. Actually, working even more against the 16-50, most lenses tend to be sharper in the center than on the outside, so there is a good chance that the effective resolution of the center of the prime is significantly higher than the entire field of view of the prime.
There may be other issues, but it wouldn't surprise me if they overall looked better since primes are much easier to produce a quality lens than a telephoto is and 7 effective megapixels is really nothing to write home about. The best bet is still probably going to be to look at samples though. Things like chromatic aberration can only be corrected so much, though generally I'd expect the prime to have fewer issues there too, even given the crop.
Originally by user11392. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11392
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Broadly, yes: for effective resolution, cropping from the 35mm prime could plausibly match or even beat the 16-50mm near its long end.
Your reasoning is in the right direction, and there’s an extra point in favor of the prime: lenses are often sharpest in the center, so if you crop from the middle of the 35mm image, that cropped area may be sharper than the zoom’s full frame at 50mm.
Also, primes are generally easier to make sharp than compact zooms, and the 35mm f/1.8 should also give you a clear low-light and depth-of-field advantage over the slower zoom.
That said, the zoom still offers convenience and framing flexibility across a range of focal lengths, not just a small gain from 43mm to 50mm. So if your only concern is image quality at the long end, the 35mm crop may be enough. If you want the versatility of 16-50mm in one lens, that’s the stronger reason to buy it.
The best check is still to compare real sample images, since artifacts like chromatic aberration and overall rendering matter too.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI12y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Do prime lenses still have an advantage over kit zooms at the same aperture?
Are superzoom lenses really that bad for everyday photography?
35mm vs 50mm on Sony a6000: can I just step back with the 50mm?
Should you wait to buy a zoom lens until you've learned to 'zoom with your feet'?
Sony ZV-E10: should I buy the E 55-210mm zoom or the FE 50mm f/1.8 for portraits and everyday use?