ASP-C vs Full-Frame? Is it still worth investing in ASP-C in 2023?

[Akroasis]

Dear Canon Community, 

I have a Canon Rebel T7 with a ASP-C x1.6 crop factor and want to know if there any professional photographers that still use ASP-C? Mirrorless and full-frame cameras are a popular choice among professionals. More dynamic range and bigger megapixels. I have two non cannon brand lenses. A 30mm f/1.4 (48mm equivalent) and 50-100mm f/1.8 ( 80-160mm equivalent) made for ASP-C cameras and I love the results I am getting so far. I like the "closeness". I haven't done a real world test just yet, but I will take advantage when I go to Japan for a month. I will be shooting both early mornings and afternoons with both lens. Mornings with a 30mm and afternoons with the 50-100mm and vice versa.  I will be buying another non canon ASP-C Lens thats 11-20mm f/2.8 to cover wide scenes (let more light in), but is it worth investing in ASP-C in 2023? I will be upgrading to a full frame mirror less in the future (not anytime soon). I enjoy doing a variety of styles like landscape, street photography and nature. I noticed a huge difference in my photographs with these lenses versus the stock lens that came with my T7. I am a hobbyist and want to do professional photography in the future. 

I do have a Canon EF10-18mm f/4.5-6.5 but will use that lens for video because of the IS feature. Once I get that 11-20mm f/2.8 those three lenses will cover all my needs. I love the simple features of the T7, but I think it important to note that to be a good photographer having the most expensive camera and lens will not always give you good results, but the person behind the camera who understand the fundamentals of photography and what style he/she is going after. I don't want to fall into a rabbit hole and throw a bunch of money away. I invested more money on quality lenses with a budget camera. I noticed a lot of the Canon cameras under $1000 are ASP-C even some of the mirrorless. Only features I noticed are recording in 4k and faster auto focus. I would like different perspectives on this take. Thank you! 

[rs-eos]

Sure; it really depends upon what the primary use case of the camera will be.  The crop factor can definitely aid with extra "reach".  So while a 400 mm lens is always a 400 mm lens, it will give a field-of-view equivalent of 560 mm on an APS-C camera.

This can lead to higher quality images in terms of resolution.  e.g. let's say you're comparing an APS-C and full frame camera that both capture 30 MP images.   While you could certainly crop an image captured with the full frame camera to match the image from the APS-C (same focal length lens used in this example), the APS-C image will be at its full 30 MP whereas you'd be around 19 MP for your cropped image.   This can be an issue if your desire is to have very high quality prints.

Now then, where the APS-C camera will have its pros, full frame has clear advantages regarding being able to have much wider field-of-view images for the same lens as compared to APS-C.   Individual sensor sites are often larger which leads to less noise.

You'll ultimately need to decide what types of photography you'll pursue and that should then lead to what type of sensor would be the best fit.

[Akroasis]

Hi Ricky, 

I will be doing the same type of photography. land scape, street and nature with a full-frame. The x1.6 crop factor will come in handy when I am in Japan because I be a bit further back from the crowds and that's where the 50-100mm ( 80-160mm equivalent) comes in handy. I can get a closer shot. I love the 85mm look when taking pictures of nature, building and land scape. If I were to upgrade to a full frame I would pick a high quality 14mm, 35mm and 85mm for my style, but might start with a 24-70mm. It will depend when that time comes. 

I do notice noise in my photos even at low ISO like 400 and 800, but that's due to not enough light and slower shutter speed. Any high quality  ASP-C cameras you recommend or would be an "upgrade" from the Rebel T7 or do they all preform the same? 

[rs-eos]

All of the R-series APS-C cameras would have better ISO performance than your T7.  Just how much, not sure.  I would think though at least a stop.

In terms of which camera to recommend, we'd need to understand your budget.  Also, would you plan to keep using your existing lenses for now with an adapter (and thus budget would only apply to a body plus adapter).  Or, would your budget also be covering new RF lenses too?

[Akroasis]

As of now my budget would be no more than $800. Just a camera body. I will continue to use my ASP-C lens 30mm f/1.4 and 50-100mm f/1.8. Those are my two main lenses and don’t plan on using Canon RF lenses at the moment.  I need something with less noise faster AF and have more ISO control. I wouldn't  mind using an adapter to use ASP-C lenses if its a full frame body. I do have two full-frame lenses I can use. 

[Akroasis]

I can push to $1000 max on a body. 

[Akroasis]

What do you think of the Canon EOS R10? Would it be a step up from the T7? It’s compatible with RF-S, RF, EF and EF-S mounts. 

[rs-eos]

I think the R10 would be a good choice.  The EOS T7 goes up to ISO 6400 (or 12800 extended).  Whereas the R10 goes up to ISO 32000 (or 51200 extended).   Does that mean that an R10 image at ISO 32000 would have the same noise levels an ISO 6400 on the T7? Not sure.    But it should indeed give you cleaner images.