View Full Version : A question about small CCDs


Glenn Gipson
June 9th, 2003, 07:09 PM
Do smaller CCD cameras have poor exposure latitude performance, as well as poor low light performance?

Frank Granovski
June 9th, 2003, 07:13 PM
Re: "...poor exposure latitude performance"

Don't know what that means. Perhaps descibe this differently, so I know what you mean. I'm sure our experts will chime in on this one.

Glenn Gipson
June 9th, 2003, 09:05 PM
I guess it would be the dynamic range...that is, how much detail the camera can retain in the high lights they turn white (or over expose.)

Alex Knappenberger
June 9th, 2003, 09:12 PM
Yeah. The size of the CCD doesn't have anything to do with it's dynamic range. Infact, I don't know what really determines how good it is with dark and bright areas, but i'm sure it's the quality, not the size... However, it does have affect the depth of field, and the lowlight capabilities.

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/Glossary/Digital_Imaging/Dynamic_Range_01.htm

Yow Cheong Hoe
June 9th, 2003, 09:36 PM
Yes, latitude has to do with the sensitivity of the CCD, not really the size.

Fujifilm is developing into this area, with their current SuperCCD 4th Generation SR. A check on the net will explain how this works.

But for digital video cam, no news as yet.

Vladimir Koifman
June 9th, 2003, 11:29 PM
Yes, all things being equal, dynamic range will be narrower with smaller CCDs.
This is because smaller CCDs have lower storage charge capacity in each pixel, so less electrons can be kept in each pixel.

On the other hand, CCD companies are innovating like crazy, coming with new solutions like one that Yow Cheong mentioned.
Also, new processes are being developed all the time with better pixel storage abilities. So "all things being equal" rarely happens when comparing different size CCDs.

Yow Cheong Hoe
June 10th, 2003, 04:49 AM
Out of topic here, but Asian names are really tough on Westerners.

Just call me YowCH for short. "Yow" is the family name and "Cheong Hoe" is my own name. Here, when we get formal, it'll be Mr Yow. In Chinese, the family name is placed first.

No offence, though! :-)

Vladimir Koifman
June 10th, 2003, 05:44 AM
YowCH, sorry for the mistake. I should have known this, as I visited Singapore some 3 years ago. Very nice city. In many respects, the best city I've seen in the world. And I've seen many.