Need some help: Crop sensor vs full frame sensor

I'm not getting this. I was on the phone with camera shop this morning and the guy was telling me about full frame and crop sensors that Nikon has a crop sensor of 1.5 and Canon was 1.4 (I think these were the figures). I have been shopping around for a new DSLR and now this semi confused me. What does it mean that a Canon has a crop sensor of 1.4? What does that mean to me?

Thank you

Nikki, this refers to the size of the sensor in relation to a 35mm film slide. Full size sensors are the same size as a fill slide while the crop sensors are smaller. The smaller sensor size means that when you attach a lens you are only using the center portion of the image that in projects into the camera. The result is that lenses seemed to be zoomed in (often called a multiplier effect) more than with 35mm or full size sensors. For example a 50mm lens will be more like an 80mm lens on canons rebel or XXd series cameras which have a 1.6 times multiplier effect. To my knowledge canon has the sensor sizes ranging from full size, 1.3x and 1.6. I would need some help from the rest of the forum on other camera brands.
Full size sensors provide higher quality images (and proper focal length) and usually come with a price tag to match. Crop sensors are very wide spread and still provide excellent image quality. Which you choose may depend on your budget and lenses.
Since it seems you are starting out, my suggestion might be to look for a used crop camera to learn on and spend the extra money on quality lenses that you will have (and want!) for much longer. Once you know the relative pros and cons of the camera you get you can upgrade to one that fits your new needs.

Solstar pretty much expalined the difference between crop & full frame sensors. If you never shot film with an SLR, yeah, it can be confusing. Nikon's crop cameras are 1.5X . Olympus cameras are 2X. Here is a link to a Nikon website that expains focal length & angle of view in eaasier to understand terms. I have another Nikon site bookmarked on my home computer that has a visual representation of the view of different camera/lens combos but I'm at work. I'll try to find it later & post it.

Solstar wrote: Nikki, this refers to the size of the sensor in relation to a 35mm film slide. Full size sensors are the same size as a fill slide while the crop sensors are smaller. The smaller sensor size means that when you attach a lens you are only using the center portion of the image that in projects into the camera. The result is that lenses seemed to be zoomed in (often called a multiplier effect) more than with 35mm or full size sensors. For example a 50mm lens will be more like an 80mm lens on canons rebel or XXd series cameras which have a 1.6 times multiplier effect. To my knowledge canon has the sensor sizes ranging from full size, 1.3x and 1.6. I would need some help from the rest of the forum on other camera brands.
Full size sensors provide higher quality images (and proper focal length) and usually come with a price tag to match. Crop sensors are very wide spread and still provide excellent image quality. Which you choose may depend on your budget and lenses.
Since it seems you are starting out, my suggestion might be to look for a used crop camera to learn on and spend the extra money on quality lenses that you will have (and want!) for much longer. Once you know the relative pros and cons of the camera you get you can upgrade to one that fits your new needs.

That really helped out, it was confusing me when I first heard this, so your information did help. Thank you

Screamin Scott wrote: Solstar pretty much expalined the difference between crop & full frame sensors. If you never shot film with an SLR, yeah, it can be confusing. Nikon's crop cameras are 1.5X . Olympus cameras are 2X. Here is a link to a Nikon website that expains focal length & angle of view in eaasier to understand terms. I have another Nikon site bookmarked on my home computer that has a visual representation of the view of different camera/lens combos but I'm at work. I'll try to find it later & post it.

Thank you also and yes if you come across that link please post it, I would like to read it.

If you are new to DSLR's chances are a full frame camera may be a bit over kill for what you need. Most I think would recommend going with a good entry to mid level camera for starting out. And these cameras also happen to have a crop sensor.