The sensor size is listed as 1/2.7". How do I read this spec? I don't see how to get 16:9 out of that number.

The sensor size has no relevance to the shape of the target area matrix. The sensor could be oblong, trapezoidal, rhomboid, egg-shaped, star-shaped; it doesn't matter. All that counts is that there's a target area within the sensor that is 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels tall, and that the High Definition video target area within the sensor is 16:9 in shape. Which it is. At 1/2.7" in size, it's a fairly large image sensor compared to other camcorders in the same price range. Hope this helps,

I must be dense, but I still don't get 1/2.7". Does that mean one sensor with a 2.7" diagonal?

The XL H1 is spec'd as 3- 1/3"

Don its one sensor where the diagonal across is 1 divided by 2.7 inches= .37044 inches. A 1/3" sensor is .3333 inches. So the sensor on the HV10 is just a bit bigger than a 1/3 sensor. Its just the crazy way that the marketing guys have mixed up decimals with fractions ( obviously have no idea of mathematics !!!! or new it would confuse a large number of people.)

Ron Evans

Thanks Ron.

Interesting that the LCD is 2.7" and the viewfinder is spec'd at .27"

Expressing sensor size as a mixed fraction such as "1/2.7" is a crime in my opinion.

See some notes on this topic at http://www.dvinfo.net/canonoptura/articles/lineage.php#opccd -- I wrote it for the Canon Optura line but it applies to the HV10 as well, more or less.

It's a little bit confusing, so I've got this explanation from DPREVIEW:

www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Camera_System/Sensor_Sizes_01.htm

Hope this helps...

It can be very confusing to understand a decimal in a fraction. It can screw with your mind.

But for depth of field, is it for all effects, basically the same as a 1/3" as it's closer to 1/3" than to 1/2"?