CCD and CMOS Sensor Output

[Jim King]

Gordon seems very level-headed about this issue, and after rereading that entire thread I'm inclined to agree with his conclusions.
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Jim King - Retired Colormonger - Suburban Detroit, Michigan, USA; GMT -4h (EDT)
Pentaxian for over 50 years.





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A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.

• Sir Winston Churchill

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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

• Albert Einstein

 

[Ron Kruger]

I have both CMOS and CCD sensors in various DSLRs and P&S cameras. I'm convinced the CCD produces richer colors, higher contrasts and a more detailed image.
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In the end, the only things that matter are the people we help and the people we hurt. http://pa.photoshelter.com/user/ronkruger

 

[Gerry Winterbourne]

I have both CMOS and CCD sensors in various DSLRs and P&S cameras. I'm convinced the CCD produces richer colors, higher contrasts and a more detailed image.

As discussed up the thread, Ron, it's not the fact that a sensor is CCD that makes it produce richer and/or more contrasty images - it's the colour profiles and tone curves programmed in by the engineers.

For the same size sensor, same pixel density, same exposure and same lens the resolution will be the same. However, perceived sharpness is a function of both resolution and contrast. If the engineers give a camera more contrast it will have higher apparent acutance so its image will look sharper: but, again, this isn't because the sensor is CCD.

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Gerry


First camera 1953, first Pentax 1985, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

 

[Ron Kruger]

Yes, we've been though all this before, and you might be right, but I know what I see from both my Pentax and Panny CCD cameras. The end product is what matters most to me.

I have both CMOS and CCD sensors in various DSLRs and P&S cameras. I'm convinced the CCD produces richer colors, higher contrasts and a more detailed image.

As discussed up the thread, Ron, it's not the fact that a sensor is CCD that makes it produce richer and/or more contrasty images - it's the colour profiles and tone curves programmed in by the engineers.

For the same size sensor, same pixel density, same exposure and same lens the resolution will be the same. However, perceived sharpness is a function of both resolution and contrast. If the engineers give a camera more contrast it will have higher apparent acutance so its image will look sharper: but, again, this isn't because the sensor is CCD.

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Gerry


First camera 1953, first Pentax 1985, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

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In the end, the only things that matter are the people we help and the people we hurt. http://pa.photoshelter.com/user/ronkruger

 

[John Michael Winterbourne]

If you're all so interested in getting 'film like images' - cough - why not shoot some film?

I say that speaking as someone who today sent off four fillums for processing... 2 x SFX 200 using various degrees of red filtering (Oly OM2); 1 x Velvia 50 (Nik F100) and 1 x Provia 100F (Oly OM2n). It makes a very pleasant/fun change from the digi stuff, and (on topic) I have both CCD and CMOS to play with.

Ah yes - to mollify the very early poster who wanted this thread kept Pentaxian, the next two rolls going through are going to be FP4, one definitely through my battered but nicely renovated ESII, but I haven't decided yet which Spotmatic I'm going to use for the other. Spotmatic SP - or Spotmatic F. One or the other - it will mainly be decided by which of the meters seems most trustworthy.

I dunno - photography just keeps on throwing up these 'which is better than the other' dilemmas. Silver oxide.. alkaline.. even mercury, for heavens sake! And did you know that the spottie F's meter is ALWAYS turned on, and if you forget to put the lens cap on, the battery will be dead next time you pick it up?

Keeps us on our toes, though!

 

[Richard Murdey]

I've made a personal judgement call on this multiple times, comparing CCD (D40, D80, D200, K10D, K100D - and looking at samples, the M9 and 645D) to CMOS (K-x, D5100, D700 - and looking at samples, the K-7, K20D, K-5, and D800)

CMOS is useful because the images do not degrade at high ISO in the same way as CCD. It also does not clip on highlights in the same way. If you are a professional and your job is to make a photo, then clearly CMOS is going to be more convenient.

CCD results in a digital photo that, in my considered opinion, is nicer to look at. More natural, clearer, more realistic.

CMOS has a look to it, like looking though a very fine mist. The colors are flat and garish, and no amount of playing around in RAW can get me back to what I can get from a CCD sensor.

Does CCD look more like film? Maybe a little, in the clipping of highlights, high contrast, and presence of noise. To me though they are very different in terms of the look. Both are pleasing, but I don't think asking "which looks more like film?" is a particularly constructive base on which to frame a discussion.

 

[gaddigad]

Well said.
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Ask not what your camera can do for you, but what you can do for your camera
http://www.fluidr.com/photos/gs-photos