CAMERA SENSOR

The light from the lens falls on the sensor which capture the light and encapsulate the details to produce picture.

A sensor size is determined by its output as compared the traditional film of 35mm. the relative size is mentioned as ‘nx’ where n is the factor by which the sensor is smaller or larger than 35 mm film. Ie a 1.5x sensor is 50% more than a 35mm film. A full frame sensor is 1.0x sensor and size equal to the 35 mm film.

The size of the sensor determines the image size, resolution, low light performance, depth of field, physical size of camera and cost of DSLR.

Sensor type

There are 2 types of sensor available today with CMOS sensors being most popular as it is a newer technology which is less expensive than CCD sensor.

CMOS sensor

Some of the advantage of CMOS sensor are, it consumes less power giving camera more battery life, it is less expensive than a CCD sensor and it is newer technology and fast catching up.

CCD sensor

It consumes more power compared to the CMOS sensor, need specialized manufacturing and it is more expensive and it is an old tech.

Sensor size

Refers to how big the sensor of the camera is, the bigger sensor allow more light to fall on them. Popularly available sensor sizes are full frame 36x24mm, cropped frame or APS-C 23.6x15.6mm, four-thirds 17x13mm and quarter inch 13.2x8.8mm.

Medium format or large format

This refers to special application cameras which have sensors larger than 35mm film. Due to the bigger sensors these are the most expensive cameras preferred for professionals.

Full frame

Largest sensor size and is same size as a 35mm film. Top of the line DSLR cameras come up with the sensor and are expensive too. These are ideal for professional photographers and film makers.

Cropped frame or APS-C

These are cameras with sensors smaller than 35 mm fil. Entry level to mid-range DSLRs come up with this sensor and is one of the most popular sensor size.