In film photography, all 35 mm cameras use film that measures 24 mm by 36 mm. During the photography industry's switch to digital, camera manufacturers developed camera sensors varying in size to replace film. Nikon developed two digital SLR sensor types, the DX and the FX. The DX sensor is smaller than a 35 mm frame, measuring 23.6 mm by 15.8 mm. The FX full-frame sensor maintains the full-frame dimensions that were on 35 mm film cameras. Both sensor types have their advantages and disadvantages.
DX Cropping
DX sensors have a smaller area than FX sensors, therefore the outside edges of the picture are cut out as they enter the camera. This causes the zoom range of the lens to increase by 1.5 times. A 50 mm lens on a DX camera is the equivalent of a 75 mm lens on a full-frame FX camera.
Detail Quality
Full-frame Nikon cameras record higher-quality images because of their superior ability to capture detail. The FX sensors take in higher amounts of color and light information. SLRs with FX sensors also perform better in low-light environments. DX sensors record high-quality images but lack the heightened level of detail that a full-frame sensor records.
Costs
Full-frame Nikon cameras are substantially more expensive than Nikon D-SLRs with DX sensors. Nikon cameras with FX sensors include the Nikon D3x, the D3s and the D700. As of November 2010, the full-frame cameras range in price from $3,369.95 to $7,499.95. Nikon cameras with DX sensors range in price from to $545.95 to $1,199.95.
Tags: Nikon cameras, with sensors, cameras with, cameras with sensors, Full-frame Nikon, Full-frame Nikon cameras