[latreche34]

With the old CCD's and CMOS's triple imaging sensor use to be a big deal especially in low light conditions, Now that back-illuminated sensors achieved a fill factor of nearly 100%, Is it still better to have 3 back-illuminated CMOS's or not? Any other advantages besides light sensitivity ?

 

[Philip_L]

Hi


If it like was like, then 3 sensors would be better than 1, but they don't tend to be in the pro-consumer world. So you get a single large sensor on one camcorder, then another you get 3 smaller not so good sensors, which one is better in low light? Just because you have 3 image sensors compared to 1 doesn't guarantee anything.


Three sensors are best for broadcast equipment, makes it easier to configure them in order to match all the camera colours up at point of capture and you can have much larger individual sensors. Remember that stills cameras have never needed 3 sensors and they capture images with far higher resolutions and details then camcorders.


Panasonic's 3MOS marketing perpetuates the myth that 3 sensors are better in a consumer camcorder, but it is just marketing, and expect to see them dropping this soon when they start producing 4K camcorders.


Regards


Phil

 

[Chevypower]

I think some light would be absorbed by the prism that splits the light into red, green, and blue, which would make it an inherent characteristic. Sure newer sensors would do it better than the old ones, but putting it into a 3-chip configuration will still cause a loss in photosensitivity. Add to that the necessity for smaller sensors as Philip pointed out. The reason that 3CCDs were used was for color reproduction and to keep them separate in an analog component signal. Those days are gone. Single CMOS sensors give us accurate color. A 3-chip design hung around a little longer than it needed to simply because videographers had it drummed in their minds how necessary 3 chips were for broadcast quality. It's difficult for many people to unlearn a way of thinking as technology changes.

 

[Philip_L]

Hi


A prism isn't used it is dichroic mirrors in consumer camcorders. Also you need no color filters over the CMOS so that gives an advantage.


Still it really doesn't matter if 3 sensors or not that in itself doesn't guarantee anything.


Regards


Phil

 

[latreche34]

I see now, makes a lot of sense, something to keep in mind for my next camcorder purchase.