Canon APS-C Models

Phones and DSLR cameras both take pictures, but the size difference is enormous. Why is that? Because of the bigger sensor, which results in larger pixels and therefore better image quality, details and colors. This guide explains what APS-C means and how to decide if a Canon APS-C Model is right for you.

What is Canon APS-C?

All Canon entry-level DSLR cameras and some semi-professional DSLRs use the APS-C camera sensor. The more professional ones use Full Frame (FF) sensors, which are even bigger. What’s the difference?

A Canon camera with a APS-C sensor is exactly 1.6x smaller than FF, meaning it gets you 1.6x closer to your subject than with a FF camera. Confusing? Here’s an easier explanation, with an actual example:

1. Let’s say you own 2 cameras, the Canon Rebel T6i and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. The Rebel uses an APS-C sensor, whereas the 5D III uses a FF sensor. You decide to use the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens on both.

2. Because the Rebel T6i has a crop factor of 1.6x, any lens that you put on it will actually get you 1.6x closer to your subject than the same lens mounted on 5D Mark III. In our case, the 50mm would actually give you the same result as an 80mm lens on 5D III (50mm x 1.6 = 80mm) if shot from the same position.

The 5D Mark III (Full Frame sensor) would capture the entire image you see above, whereas the Rebel T6i (APS-C sensor) would capture only what’s inside the green box.

When we say the Rebel T6i has a 1.6x crop factor, it doesn’t mean that the camera takes a picture and then for some reason decides to crop it, we just use these terms to explain this better.

Also, a 50mm lens is physically always a 50mm lens, regardless of what camera you mount it on. It’s just the field of view compared to FF cameras that we’re talking about. Again, a 24-70mm lens on APS-C camera has a field of view equivalent to a 38-112mm lens (24mm x 1.6 = 38mm and 70mm x 1.6 = 112mm).

Crop Factor: 1.6x
Sensor Size: 22.2 x 14.8mm (Full Frame is 36 x 24mm)

How does this affect my images?

First, nothing happens to your images, there’s no quality loss, no cropping or anything like that. The crop factor isn’t something only DSLRs have, phones and cameras with smaller sensors have crop factors that are much bigger than 1.6x, some even up to 40x.

Is there anything bad about APS-C cameras?

Since any lens you put on “becomes 1.6x longer”, this isn’t really good if you want to capture as much as possible in your shot (landscape and indoor photography). To fix this, Canon created EF-S, a new lens mount back in 2003 specifically for APS-C cameras.

• EF lens mount will work on APS-C and FF cameras
• EF-S lens mount will work only on APS-C cameras

Since 2003, Canon has released a lot of EF-S lenses with the crop factor in mind, the majority of them being wide-angle. You can see the whole Canon lens list here or here.

However, the 1.6x crop factor is excellent for anyone who is into wildlife, animal, sport and portrait photography, as you can get closer to your subject without actually spending money on longer lenses. The Canon EF-S 55-250mm has the same field of view as an 88-400mm lens would on FF.

Nikon and a lot of other companies have crop factors around 1.6x as well, you can check them out here.

Which is better, Full Frame or APS-C cameras?

Deciding which is a better choice, a Canon Full Frame or APS-C camera, really depends on YOU. What kind of photography do you plan on shooting? Are there specific features that are important to you, such as low light or real-estate photography? What’s your budget, for both a camera and lenses?

For example, with a lot of landscape photography you want to try and capture as much of the scene as you can. So in addition to having a wide angle lens, a full frame camera will give you more freedom to capture what you want.

However, if you travel a lot or want to have the convenience of something light weight that’s easy to take with you then an APS-C camera is a great choice.  Because of the crop sensor it also will extend the focal length listed on your lens to get you a little bit tighter on your subject.

Canon APS-C Camera List:

This is a quick Canon APS-C cameras list. Below we have a table of all the APS-C cameras along with some of the key specs. If for some reason that table doesn’t load try hitting the refresh button.

• Canon EOS 7D Mark II
• Canon EOS 7D
• Canon EOS 80D
• Canon EOS 70D
• Canon EOS 60D
• Canon EOS 50D
• Canon EOS 40D
• Canon EOS 30D
• Canon EOS 20D
• Canon EOS 10D
• Canon EOS 760D/Rebel T6s
• Canon EOS 750D/Rebel T6i
• Canon EOS 700D/Rebel T5i
• Canon EOS 650D/Rebel T4i
• Canon EOS 600D/Rebel T3i
• Canon EOS 550D/Rebel T2i
• Canon EOS 500D/Rebel T1i
• Canon EOS 450D/Rebel XSi
• Canon EOS 400D/Rebel XTi
• Canon EOS 350D/Rebel XT
• Canon EOS 300D/Rebel
• Canon EOS 100D/Rebel SL1
• Canon EOS 1300D/Rebel T6
• Canon EOS 1200D/Rebel T5
• Canon EOS 1100D/Rebel T3
• Canon EOS 1000D/Rebel XS
• Canon EOS D60
• Canon EOS D30

Popular Canon APS-C Cameras List

Below is a list of Canon APS-C Semi-Professional DSLRs and Entry-Level DSLR cameras.

APS-C sensors are exactly 1.6x smaller than Full Frame (FF) cameras, meaning it gets you 1.6x closer to your subject than with a FF camera.

APS-C Lens Field of View

Here is a list of most common focal lengths and their field of view on an APS-C camera. You don’t really have to think about this while taking pictures, but it can be helpful if you ever plan on using a camera with a different sensor.