The Digital Sensor: Part 2

In The Digital Sensor: A Guide to Understanding Digital Cameras the history and development of the Digital Sensor was explored. First up was exploring how analog sensors in digital cameras work. By taking a closer look at how the digital sensor evolved we could better understand how APS-C Digital SLR sensors got started and grew to dominate the current DSLR landscape. This led to a discussion and examples of what the lens sees (Field of View) with full-frame (1X), 1.5X, 1.6X, 1.7X, and 2X DSLR sensors.

Part 1 then covered the technology of current sensors with a closer look at Bayer (and related Fuji Super CCD) and Foveon sensors. Finally, the current move to CMOS sensors from CCD sensors was explored by looking at the advantages and disadvantages of each sensor type and the role of the supporting analog-to-digital chips required in each design.

With this knowledge of digital camera sensors and how they capture images, Part 2 will take a brief look at how captured pixels are then converted to a usable image. This will examine how in-camera processing works to produce JPEG files. The advantages and disadvantages of the alternative RAW image capture with post processing is also explored.

This installment will then take a closer look at current DSLR camera sensors and how they perform as finished products. We will compare images with a cross-section of current DSLR cameras at 10MP, 12MP, and 14MP resolutions.