Video Camera Sensor Size

[mitchelt]

Hi:

I used to have the "older" Sony DCR-HC96 which had a 1/3" CCD and I am now looking at either the Canon HF100 with a 1/3.2" CMOS or the newer HF200 with a 1/4" CMOS.

Is it correct to assume that the older Sony would do better in low light because of the larger CCD or can you not compare CCD with CMOS?

Pretty much any decent video camera can do go in bright light, I just want to make sure my new camcorder does at least as good as my old one.

FYI: I am getting a new one because someone thought they should have my Sony instead of me and stole it.

Thanks,

Mitch

 

[corkyg]

Interesting question. Here are some points to consider:

1. CCD sensors, create high-quality, low-noise images. CMOS sensors, traditionally, are more susceptible to noise.

2. Because each pixel on a CMOS sensor has several transistors located next to it, the light sensitivity of a CMOS chip tends to be lower. Many of the photons hitting the chip hit the transistors instead of the photodiode.

3. CMOS traditionally consumes little power. Implementing a sensor in CMOS yields a low-power sensor.

4. CCDs use a process that consumes lots of power. CCDs consume as much as 100 times more power than an equivalent CMOS sensor.
CMOS chips can be fabricated on just about any standard silicon production line, so they tend to be extremely inexpensive compared to CCD sensors.

5. CCD sensors have been mass produced for a longer period of time, so they are more mature. They tend to have higher quality and more pixels. However, they are more expensive to produce. That makes them more expensive.

Chip size is determined by the manufacturer. This article may help:

Size

 

[mitchelt]

Thanks for the info, but does all this mean that the older Sony will have better low light performance?

 

[sswingle]

Sensor size difference between your old Sony and the HF100 is negligible. I have also used an HF100 and can say that it works very decently for its size in low light. Of course the HF200 should be much better still.

 

[corkyg]

All other things being equal, the Sony CCD would most likely have better low light performance.

 

[Deadtrees]

"Is it correct to assume that the older Sony would do better in low light because of the larger CCD"

Not really, technological advances can shift things around.