Camera Sensor Sizes, Explained
Full-frame, APS-C, Micro Four Thirds and 1-inch name the size of the chip that records the image; a bigger sensor gathers more light from the same scene.
By Andrian ChengContributing writer.
On this page
The short answer
The sensor is the chip inside a digital camera that records the picture. Its size is one of the specs that most separates one camera from another, and the names refer to physical dimensions:
| Name | Approximate size | Crop factor |
|---|---|---|
| Full-frame | 36 x 24 mm (the size of a 35 mm film frame) | 1.0 |
| APS-C | about 23.6 x 15.6 mm (Canon: about 22.3 x 14.9 mm) | 1.5 (Canon: 1.6) |
| Micro Four Thirds | about 17.3 x 13 mm | 2.0 |
| 1-inch | about 13.2 x 8.8 mm | 2.7 |
The sizes and crop factors come from the Wikipedia article on image sensor formats, which lists the dimensions used by each maker. Exact sizes vary slightly between models of the same format.
What the size changes
Field of view. A smaller sensor records a smaller part of the image a lens projects. The crop factor tells you how much: a 50 mm lens on a camera with a 1.5 crop factor frames a scene like a 75 mm lens would on full-frame.
Light gathered. At the same exposure, a larger sensor collects more light in total because it has more area. Full-frame has roughly 860 square millimeters of area, APS-C about 330 to 370, Micro Four Thirds about 225, and a 1-inch sensor about 116. More light generally means less visible noise in dim scenes.
Size and price of the system. Lenses for a larger sensor have to project a larger image, so they tend to be bigger. Sensor size is one of several reasons cameras in the same category differ in size and price.
None of this makes one size right for everyone. A small sensor allows a compact camera with a long zoom lens; a large sensor suits shooting in low light.
Sensor sizes on Wiki Shopping
How many cameras on Wiki Shopping list each sensor size, on October 23, 2026. Sizes with a filter page link to it.
| Sensor | Cameras |
|---|---|
| Medium format | 9 |
| Full-frame | 192 |
| APS-C | 96 |
| Micro Four Thirds | 9 |
| 1-inch | 44 |
| Not stated in the listing | 1,457 |
Of the 1,807 cameras on Wiki Shopping, most listings do not state a sensor size. Of those 1,457 cameras, 389 are instant cameras, 285 mirrorless, 229 compact and 173 action cameras. Browse them by type, for example instant cameras, compact cameras or action cameras.
How to choose
- Already own lenses? Sensor size and lens mount go together. Filter by lens mount, for example Sony E mount cameras or Canon RF mount cameras.
- Low light and shallow focus. Look at full-frame cameras and full-frame mirrorless cameras.
- Small and light. Look at cameras with a 1-inch sensor and APS-C cameras.
How we count
Each camera on Wiki Shopping has its sensor size read from the store listing. A camera whose listing gives no sensor size is counted as "Not stated". The counts change as listings are added or removed.
Shop by spec
Cameras
Compact, 1-inch, 4K
- Compact Powerhouse: Canon PowerShot V10 vlogging camera features a sleek, pocket-sized design; perfect for on-the-go creativity; enjoy the ultimate, compact digital camera in portability and ease of use
- Versatile Vlogging Camera: Incredible low-light capabilities with a 15.2-megapixel 1-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor; features a retractable front-facing screen, built-in subject detection, micro-HDMI output port, external mic auxiliary port and USB-C charging
- Adaptable Built-In Stand: Comes with an innovative stand that folds in both the front or back; content creator camera with a flexible stand allows for versatile shooting angles and hands-free operation in a variety of settings
- Wide-Angle Brilliance: PowerShot V10 digital video camera is equipped with a fixed 19mm wide-angle lens (35mm equivalent), perfect for expansive landscapes, tight interiors and everything in between
- Image Stabilization: With recent updates (version 1.2.0 or later), the PowerShot V10 4K camera has three image stabilization modes while shooting videos, IS Off, IS On and IS Enhanced
- High-Speed Shooting: Superb 4K camera for video recording; 8-bit 4K video capture at up to 30 fps; Full HD video capture at up 60 fps; 14 movie color filters available to help you set the mood and ambiance
- Crystal Clear Audio: Capture every detail with a pair of high-quality stereo microphones; a third microphone in the middle helps remove any unwanted background noises
Mirrorless, Micro Four Thirds, 20 to 29 MP, 4K
- THE ICONIC GH5, NOW WITH LIVE STREAMING: Attention hybrid content creators-the GH5M2 supports both wired and wireless unlimited live streaming for indoors and outdoors, together with a USB Power Delivery feature.
- VIDEO FORMAT OPTIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL USE: The GH5M2 is capable of unlimited video recording in various settings including C4K/4K 60p 4:2:0 10-bit and simultaneous output over HDMI during 4K 60p internal recording.
- PHOTO STYLE PRESETS MINIMIZE YOUR EDITING: Presets include V-LogL, Cinelike D2/ V2, MonochromeS and L.ClassicNeo.
- POWERFUL IMAGE STABILIZATION: Advanced I.S. to 6.5-stop slower shutter speeds for stable handheld shooting. Double SD Memory Card slot for relay recording.
- WITHSTANDS HEAVY FIELD USE: The magnesium alloy full die-cast front / rear frame and is not only splash and dust resistant, but also freezeproof down to -10 °C (14°F).
Mirrorless
- Compact and light, ready to be carried anywhere – and everywhere!
- Print straight to a compatible instax printer, or share via the dedicated app
- Film camera-style retro design with dial-based control
- Unique 2-in-1 mode combines stills and/or video to give you a creative edge
- Set your own style with 26 analog-inspired film and filter options
Mirrorless, Full-frame, Body only, Canon RF
- Lightest, smallest full-frame EOS camera
- RF mount compatible with RF lenses and EF/EF-S lenses with optional mount adapter
- High image quality with 26.2 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor and DIGIC 8 Image processor
- Dual pixel CMOS AF for fast and accurate auto focus
- Use the EOS Utility Webcam Beta Software (Mac and Windows) to turn your Canon camera into a high-quality webcam, or do the same using a clean HDMI output.