Hints for
buying digital cameras
Smaller is better,
right?
Unlike electronics, in
optics, big is a good thing. For CCDs greater than 390k, you
want a bigger CCD, as it is better for light absorption.
(Example: a 1/3” CCD is
better than a 1/4 ” CCD)
All CCDs of the same
pixel count are the same right?
Of the CCD
manufacturers, Sony CCDs are generally considered to be some of
the highest quality CCDs in the industry, Sharp the next best
and then down from there. The price reflects this (no pun
intended) but a higher quality CCD is generally worth the price.
A camera with 3 CCDs
is better than one, right?
Before yes, now no. When
CCDs first came on the market the relative pixel count was low.
With three CCDs, one 390k pixel CCD was allocated for each color
(red, blue, green) and gave a sharper image with an equivalent
pixel count of just over one mega pixel. With single CCDs on the
market now exceeding one mega pixel it is better to have one
multicolor CCD. The reason for this is in part the way the human
eye sees light. As the human eye is more sensitive to shades of
red, a disproportionate amount of the CCD pixels are dedicated
to the detection of red, resulting in a more vivid picture.
High pixel count can
make up for poor quality optics, right?
When it comes to having
excellent picture quality, good optics are imperative. Optics
play a more important roll in good pictures than pixel count.
You may have seen the impressive pictures take by the
Mars Exploration Rovers,
did you know those were taken with one mega pixel cameras? Where
additional pixels really help out is in low lighting conditions,
which is good, as this is often a nemesis for getting good
pictures.
How many pixels are
required in a DV camcorder?
A DV camcorder requires
less than 690k to create 720x480 resolution video. Camcorders
with more pixels utilize interpolation between pixels to reduce
noise, increase light sensitivity, and vividness in color. These
extra pixels also allow for the feature of “motion compensation”
which helps steady the shot for the less the than steady handed
videographer.
