Does Sensor Size Matter??

Woofer

I am trying to decide between two cameras, they aer pretty much the same except for sensro size (one is 1/2.5", the other 1/1.7"). I have reearched this on the web but I cannot find a simple explanation of this - its all too technical!

I am by no means a pro - so it would be great if someone could explain in 'lay mans terms' what the real impact of the different sensor size is for my pictures is?

DotOrg

bigger sensor = crisper, sharper photos

smaller sensor = more noise/grain in lower light conditions

mathias

Yes , size does matter when it comes to sensors , the bigger sensor is always better when it comes to final picture quality ,

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Camera_System/sensor_sizes_01.htm

Most people are hung up on pixel count , but the more pixels crammed into the same size sensor , the more the performance in terms of image quality suffers , most compacts boast high ISO ( low light performance ) of 1600 or more , when in actual fact for the majority of them the pictures are unusable above 200 iso.

The reason this is important is that most compacts are used for the most part in low light situations , like bars , partys , weddings ( churches are always low light ) etc.

The reason SLR image quality is so much better than an even higher resolution compact is mainly down to sensor size , the bigger the sensor , the better the camera in most cases.

On a side note , that is also the reason why most phone cameras cannot match a good compact camera ... and so on.

Woofer

Thanks very much for the advice lads- much appreciated

Thirdfox

It's not the size of the boat...but the motion of the ocean that counts

Translating that into photographic terms:
Ceteris paribus - big sensors are better. But if you're not a good photographer no sensor size is going to help you take good photos.

mathias

But if you're not a good photographer no sensor size is going to help you take good photos.

But no photographer at all can get good pictures from a bad camera ,
You can never get a steak from a pig no matter how good a butcher you are

City-Exile

He has already said that the cameras are virtually identical, except for the sensor. The opinion of Thirdfox is valid.
Also, Woofer hasn't said what he/she wants to do with the images, so it's not clear if the bigger sensor will be of any significant advantage.

stcstc

the other thing to think of is the type of photography you are going to do


if you are gonna do sports and wildlife, the crop of the sensor helps

Thirdfox

mathias wrote: »

But no photographer at all can get good pictures from a bad camera ,
You can never get a steak from a pig no matter how good a butcher you are

Well it does depend on what you mean by "bad" - is a pinhole camera "bad"...lol is it anything more than a hole in a tin can ? But certainly there have been great photographs taken with them.

Great photographers will know the limitations of their medium and work around it (if they have to) - of course they would prefer to have as many options as possible and not be limited by physical/technological constraints.

But the photographer's eye is much more important than their equipment in my opinion. Unfortunately it is far harder to upgrade your eye than it is to upgrade your Canikon

Thirdfox

stcstc wrote: »

the other thing to think of is the type of photography you are going to do


if you are gonna do sports and wildlife, the crop of the sensor helps

I was wondering about that - I read something Thom Hogan wrote recently about pixel density of the crop sensors being higher and therefore advantageous for wildlife shooting.

Anyone care to explain what that means? Is it just that a 300mm becomes 450mm on digital?

stcstc

its the length thing


pixel density is not a good thing, the more jammed in the pixels, generally means there will be higher noise etc

Thirdfox

That's what I thought he meant... I suppose it is a balance of more noise for more reach (arguments of upres-ing aside...)

mathias

Well it does depend on what you mean by "bad" - is a pinhole camera "bad"

Yes it is in the sense that you have to know what you are doing and end up spending more time studying the physics /tech than taking the shot ,

But the photographer's eye is much more important than their equipment in my opinion

This is where we agree 100% , it would be great not to have to worry about the technology at all and just take the shots ,if you could just buy any camera and they all had a good standard , but unfortunately thats a pipedream.
And if you dont want to buy a turkey of a camera you have to learn a little bit about them , shame really but thats the way it is.

Theres nothing worse than having a shot in your mind's eye , and finding out after trying time and time again , that the camera you have just cant do that shot ! With compacts , this is very very common ,
And concerning this ,

He has already said that the cameras are virtually identical, except for the sensor.

, well that just cant be , if the sensor is different then the cameras are inherently different , the sensor is the heart of the camera after all.

Woofer

Thanks for all the info. I am simply upgrading my everyday use digital camera, but I love taking pics, so wanted to spend a little bit more on it, so have been trying to learn about everything (mps, optical vs digital zoom, resolution, sensors, ISO apperture).

Basically I am looking for the best camera I can get for less than €400 that is NOT a big chunky SLR or prosumer one (as I am going travelling for 6 months and dont want to lug that around). AN all rounder that I can take any kind of picture I find on my travels is what im looking for.Here's what I have come up with...

Canon Powershot A650 IS for €361
ISO 80-1600
Sensor 1/1.7" (is this better than 1/2.5"?)
12.1 Mega-pixies
6x optical zoom (4x digital)
4000 x 3000 res

What do ye guys think? any other suggestions? Any advice would be welcome

mathias

Here are some reviews , it certainly looks good for a compact ,

http://www.cameras.co.uk/reviews/canon-powershot-a650-is.cfm

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/canon_a650.html

There are sample images to download that were taken by the reviewers , the camera has a full manual mode which is always a good thing to have.

As with all compacts , pictures are usable up to 400 ISO , after that the noise becomes too much , but its as good as any compact out there. See the sample images.