One of my favorite qualities of large apertures (besides the low light capability) is their characteristic shallow focus that can offer dramatic background blur.
I've been considering how a micro format camera such as a micro four-thirds or even something like a Canon G16 or S120 (with 1/1.7" sensor) might perform with regards to depth-of-field. Both of those cameras boast an f/1.8 ratio. I am of the understanding that the lens won't be as fast as an f/1.8 on an APS-C or fullframe sensor as it obviously won't be capturing nearly as much light, but how does depth-of-field scale down?
To clarify my question consider these scenarios:
- a camera body with a fullframe sensor and an appropriately matching f/1.8 lens
- a camera body with a micro 4/3 sensor and an appropriately matching f/1.8 lens
- a camera body with a 1/1.7" sensor and an appropriately matching f/1.8 lens
How would the depth-of-field compare? Let's also assume for the sake of argument, that all lenses have focal lengths that correspond to the same field-of-view.