There are two main types of camcorder image sensors: charged coupled device (CCD) and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). Both types of image sensor technology contain hundreds of thousands or even millions of pixels. Think of a pixel as a tiny bucket that captures light and turns it into an electrical signal.
How CMOS and CCD Sensors Differ
In a CCD image sensor, pixels capture light and move it toward the edge of the chip, where it’s converted into a digital signal. In a CMOS sensor, the light is converted at the pixel itself. No electrical conveyor belt required. This subtle difference matters. Because the light signal doesn’t have to be transported to the edge of the chip for conversion, a CMOS sensor requires less power to operate. That means, all else being equal, a camcorder with a CMOS sensor offers better battery life than one with a CCD. Of course, things are almost never equal, so don’t simply assume a CMOS camcorder has a better battery life than a CCD alternative. For many years, CCD image sensors were considered the superior technology as far as image and video quality was concerned. But, CMOS sensors have made tremendous strides in that department and are now found on a growing number of camcorders at all price levels. So, while CMOS and CCD image sensors do differ, those differences won’t hold much meaning for the average consumer. You should pay less attention to the kind of sensor in your camcorder and more attention to the pixel count and physical size of the sensor.
Pixel Counts and What They Mean
When reviewing camcorder specifications, you often see two sets of numbers listed by the sensor: a gross pixel count and an effective pixel count. The gross count refers to the total number of pixels on the sensor, but effectively tells you how many pixels will be used when taking video or still photos. So, pay attention to the effective pixel count when looking for the resolution of your video. The effective pixel count is important for another reason: it helps you cut through some marketing hype. Take Camcorder A. It claims it can take a 10-megapixel photo (i.e. a photo with 10 million pixels in it). But, when you look at the number of effective pixels on its image sensor, you see it’s only a 4-megapixel sensor. How does a 4-megapixel image sensor take a 10-megapixel photo? It’s done through a process called interpolation. As a general rule, you should discount the quality of photos generated through interpolation. Instead, use the number of effective pixels on the camera’s sensor as a guide to the real resolution of your photos.
The Importance of Image Sensor Size
The number of pixels on an image sensor isn’t the only factor influencing the quality of the video captured. The physical size of the sensor matters as well. Larger image sensors can capture more light than smaller ones, even if they have fewer pixels. That’s because, while fewer in number, these pixels are larger and thus able to capture more light. This is why you’ll see camcorders advertise not only the number of pixels on an image sensor but the size of the sensor itself (usually in fractions of an inch). You’re better off buying a camcorder with a larger image sensor even if it has fewer pixels than a competitive model with a smaller sensor and more pixels.
