Depth of Field Variations Based on Sensor Size

[Abel]

Depth of Field Variations Based on Sensor Size

I was looking up what the Four Thirds System actually was on Wikipedia and I came across a bit of info that I've seen argued and debated upon for quite some time now.

Depth of field variations based on sensor size...

This is what Wiki stated on the 4/3rd's "advantages list:

Greater depth of field at any given aperture and focal length due to the smaller format. This is an advantage in many applications (macro photography in particular), but a disadvantage in others (portraiture) where a shallow depth of field is desired.

Example:

Full Frame Sensor & 100mm lens shot at f2.8 will have a shallower depth of field than the exact same image taken with a Smaller (Crop Body) Sensor & 100mm lens shot at f2.8. Make sense?

I've seen this argued back and forth amongst photographers but have never seen either side mentioned in a resource online til this one.

Interesting...

[Abel]

I just got this bit of info from a friend..

The problem with this argument is that small sensors in dSLRs are simply cropped. The focusing plane is no different than a full sized: it is in the exact same plane. Just cropped. There is no optical difference. FoV, yes, enlarge-ability, yes.....DoF, no way.

Move the focusing plane (EF-S), now you've got something to talk about. Same plane? No dif.