Using APS-C lenses on Full Frame Sony cameras

The Sony E mount is used for both full frame and APS-C cameras. This makes it a bit harder to understand which lenses perfectly match your camera. If you have a Sony APS-C camera, there is no problem as both full frame and APS-C lenses will work "in APS-C mode". This means that the APS-C crop factor is applied to the focal length which the APS-C lenses are already optimized for and the full frame lenses can handle as well.

Using APS-C lenses on a full frame Sony camera on the other hand requires some considerations, as the lenses are designed for smaller image sensors (APS-C) and may not cover the entire full frame sensor. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Compatibility

Sony E-mount APS-C lenses are fully compatible with full frame Sony cameras. However, A-mount APS-C lenses are not compatible with full frame Sony cameras unless they have been designed to cover the full frame sensor.

Image coverage

APS-C lenses are designed to project an image circle that covers the smaller APS-C sensor. When used on a full frame camera, the image circle may not cover the entire sensor, resulting in vignetting or a circular image surrounded by black borders.

Crop mode

Some full frame Sony cameras have a crop mode that allows APS-C lenses to be used while cropping the image to match the smaller sensor size. This can be useful if you need the extra reach of an APS-C lens or if you don't mind the lower resolution of a cropped image.

Image quality

The image quality of APS-C lenses on full frame cameras may not be as good as when they are used on APS-C cameras. This is because the lenses are not designed to resolve as much detail as full frame lenses, and may produce soft or blurry images at the edges and corners of the frame.

Focal length

When using an APS-C lens on a full frame camera, the focal length will be affected by the crop factor. For example, a 50mm APS-C lens on a full frame camera with a 1.5x crop factor will have an effective focal length of 75mm.

In summary, using APS-C lenses on full frame Sony cameras can be done, but it may come with some limitations in terms of image quality and coverage. It's important to check the compatibility of your lens and camera, and consider using crop mode if available.