It is four years since the much-loved Leica CL APS-C system fell by the wayside, as all APS-C cameras had done, one by one, since the company entered the crop-sensor market with the X1 in 2009. However, the CL is far from forgotten. Indeed, every time we mention its demise, we get a torrent of comments from disappointed owners. APS-C clearly had a place in the product mix, and it is sad that the CL, and the entire system of lenses, met such an abrupt end.
Nonetheless, In the rush to full frame (and, even, medium format), APC-S and its yet smaller brother standard, Micro Four Thirds, have been somewhat overshadowed. But they are alive and kicking and still in demand. Delve into YouTube and you will find a thriving community of dedicated APS-C shooters who can make a convincing case for the crop sensor. And here at Macfilos we also believe APS-C has a future — but that future must now be without Leica.
Today, and throughout next week, we are focusing on APS-C and the reason the system is still worth buying. We will leave Micro Four Thirds for another day, although the advantages of this even smaller sensor in keeping down system size, especially when telephoto lenses are involved, are also worth exploring in the future.
On Monday next week, Jon Cheffings will emphasise the good things that came out of Leica’s APS-C development programme — positives that deserved a future. On Wednesday, Keith James will tell us how Leica’s discontinued APS-C cameras and lenses are still worth buying and using.
Finally, on Friday, we will spring a surprise and tell you which of the several brands of APS-C cameras we are favouring as the Macfilos crop-sensor “companion” for the future. While our primary area of interest remains with Leica and the L-Mount system, we believe there is still a need for a compact range to complement the full-frame story.
Advantages of APS-C
Crop sensors offer practical benefits in cost, size, and effective reach that make them attractive alternatives to full-frame systems. For some readers, these advantages will matter more in daily use than the small gains in image quality offered by a full-frame sensor.
Because APS-C sensors are smaller, cameras and especially lenses can be designed to be more compact and lighter, which is a big advantage for travel, street, and long days shooting handheld. Smaller sensors also allow manufacturers to build more affordable bodies and lenses, so an APS-C system often costs significantly less than an equivalent full-frame kit while still delivering excellent image quality.
The crop factor effectively extends focal length, so a 300mm lens gives a 450mm equivalent field of view on APS-C, which is ideal for wildlife and sports without needing larger, more expensive super-telephotos.
General photography
Everyone can appreciate the case for APS-C systems. It isn’t always necessary to burden yourself with full-frame, just for the sake of it. You have to ask if you really require the greater resolving power, the slightly better dynamic range and greater crop opportunities that full frame affords.
For many photographers, including fans of Leica’s lamented range, a lighter system offers practical advantages in cost, size and effective reach that add to their attraction. These advantages can matter more in daily use than the small gains in image quality offered by larger sensors.
A smaller system is ideal for many types of photography:
- For general carrying, street photography and, in some cases even, the camera that is in your pocket, ready for any opportunity.
- For travel. A competent APS-C kit can weigh half that of an equivalent full-frame outfit. It packs more easily for flights, and is less of a burden at the destination, especially if you fancy a bit of hiking.
- For older people. Carrying a large piece of kit, such as the Leica SL3 with a professional lens, is often too much for older photographers. It can weigh nearly 2kg and rapidly becomes a burden. An equivalent APS-C camera and equivalent lens weighs no more than 750g, but delivers 90 percent of the benefit — and in certain circumstances, 100 percent.
Image quality
In practice, image quality, despite the obvious factor of the smaller sensor, is more than adequate. Full‑frame retains the edge in extreme low light and for the most aggressive shallow‑depth‑of‑field looks. However, modern APS‑C cameras now offer 12–14 stops of dynamic range, strong high‑ISO performance, and excellent colour, so differences are subtle unless you pixel‑peep or shoot in very demanding conditions.
Sensor technology continues to advance, and today’s state-of-the-art APS-C sensors can offer 33 or 40MP, which is actually a higher pixel density than that of, say, a 60MP full-frame sensor. Of course, there are other factors and play, and when push comes to shove, the full-frame is always going to win.
Depth of field and focus tolerance
APS‑C naturally gives deeper depth of field at the same framing and aperture than full‑frame, making it easier to keep a whole scene reasonably sharp.
That extra depth of field can be helpful for older photographers whose eyesight makes ultra‑thin focus planes more stressful to manage, especially in candid or travel work.
You can still blur backgrounds nicely with fast APS‑C lenses, but you are less likely to miss focus by a few centimetres and lose the shot.
Reach and lens practicality
The crop factor effectively “extends” focal lengths, so you get more reach from smaller, lighter telephoto lenses—very useful for wildlife, birds, or distant subjects. For example, a 400 mm lens behaves like a 600–640 mm equivalent on APS‑C, avoiding the need for huge, heavy 500–600 mm primes.
This represents another benefit for older photographers, who can continue to enjoy telephoto genres without hauling overly heavy glass.
The king is dead, long live the king
Almost every Leica enthusiast I speak to has kind and wistful words to say about the discontinued Leica CL — and especially about the L lenses that were introduced in 2014/15. Many diehard fans still use them and have decided that they will stay with the moribund system until it falls to pieces in their hands.
I fall into another camp. If I am going to continue to enjoy APS-C, I want to invest in a living, developing system. Whether it be Ricoh, Sony, Fuji, Nikon or Canon, a live-and-kicking camera system is more interesting, more practical and, ultimately, more competent than adhering to a technology that is nearing ten years old.
That is why, while acknowledging the innovation of Leica, and recognising that TL/CL system is still an excellent photographic tool, we are looking to the future. Read our articles next week to find out which system we believe offers Leica users the best future in APS-C. First, though, let’s have a look at the market and the USP (Unique Selling Proposition) of all manufacturers.
The APS-C contenders
The main manufacturers of APS-C mirrorless cameras are Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Sony.
Canon
Canon’s APS-C system is built around the RF/RF-S mount, with models like the EOS R7, R10, R50, and R100 representing its current crop-sensor line up. Its main USP is the ability to use the same RF ecosystem as Canon’s full-frame cameras, which simplifies lens sharing and upgrade paths.
Canon’s Dual Pixel autofocus and strong video features make it especially attractive for hybrid shooters. The picture below was taken with the small EOS M, Canon’s first mirrorless APS-C camera.
Fujifilm
Fujifilm is one of the most committed APS-C makers and has built its entire interchangeable-lens X system around the format. Its USP is the X-mount ecosystem paired with distinctive colour science and film simulations, which many photographers choose for the shooting experience as much as the specs. Fujifilm also offers a broad range of bodies, from compact street cameras to high-end performance models.
Nikon
Nikon’s APS-C mirrorless line includes the Z30, Z50, and Z fc, all using the same sensor family and Z mount. Its USP is straightforward system integration with Nikon Z lenses, plus a clean, familiar handling style across the range. The Z30 is geared toward lightweight vlogging, while the Z fc adds retro styling for users who want a more distinctive design.
Sony
Sony’s APS-C system uses the E-mount and includes bodies such as the a6700, a6600, ZV-E10 II, and ZV-E10. Its biggest USP is the depth of the E-mount ecosystem, including broad third-party lens support and strong autofocus performance. Sony is especially strong for creators who want fast tracking, compact bodies, and advanced video features.
The non-contenders, but still worth consideration:
Pentax
Pentax remains a notable APS-C DSLR manufacturer, with the K-3 Mark III as its flagship APS-C body. Its USP is classic DSLR handling, an optical viewfinder, robust weather-resistant construction, and in-body stabilisation. We are excluding Pentax from our list because we wish to concentrate on mirrorless cameras.
Leica
Not so much a contender as a former combatant. However, there are thousands of cameras still in use and, indeed, many Leica fans are determined to persevere with their system — at least until Leica withdraws repair support.
Ricoh
Ricoh’s APS-C presence is mainly through the GR series, including the GR III and GR IIIx compact cameras. Its USP is the fixed-lens, pocketable APS-C concept, optimised for street photography and discreet everyday shooting. The GR line stands out for its wide-aperture lens, large sensor in a tiny body, and minimalist approach. But more about Ricoh later. It isn’t a system camera, but it’s a wonderful pocket camera for any experienced photographer.
Which system?
For our choice of a future APS-C system for Macfilos, we are looking at the four manufacturers who make interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras. It’s a narrower brief, but here are the contenders.
| Manufacturer | APS-C system status | Main USP |
|---|---|---|
| Canon | Active mirrorless APS-C in RF-S | RF ecosystem sharing with full-frame bodies |
| Fujifilm | APS-C-first interchangeable-lens system | X-mount, colour science, film simulations, sharing with MF |
| Nikon | Active mirrorless APS-C in Z mount | Simple Z integration, compact Z30/Z50/Zfc, sharing with full-frame |
| Sony | Active mirrorless APS-C in E-mount | Strong autofocus and broad third-party lens support. Sharing with full-frame. |
A practical way to think about the market is that Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, and Sony dominate interchangeable-lens APS-C, while Pentax and Ricoh serve more specialized niches.
Which of these manufacturers will get your business now that Leica APS-C is defunct?
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