Image sensor format

In digital photography, the image sensor format is the shape and size of the image sensor.

The image sensor format of a digital camera is one of the key parameters that determine whether a particular lens will work well with a particular camera. In particular, image sensors in digital SLR cameras tend to be smaller than the 24mmx36mm image area of the 35mm camera bodies from the same manufacturer. As a result, lenses produced for 35mm film cameras may mount well on the digital bodies, but the larger acceptance angle of the 35mm system lens allows unwanted light into the camera body, and the smaller size of the image sensor compared to a 35mm negative results in cropping of the image compared to the results produced on the film camera. This latter effect is known as FOV crop or crop factor.

See also

• Digital photography#Sensor size and angle of view

• Film format