Way most photographers talk about sensor size gives the game away

The industry promotes a "sensor size ladder" where full frame is presented as the ultimate achievement for photographers. However, this hierarchy is a myth perpetuated for marketing purposes. Sensor formats are actually a set of trade-offs, with larger sensors offering benefits like light headroom and shallower depth of field, while smaller sensors provide advantages in portability, reach, and cost. Professionals often deliberately choose smaller sensor formats, like Micro Four Thirds or APS-C, for specific applications such as wildlife or travel photography where their benefits outweigh those of full frame.