Sellers and manufacturers of cameras are trying to draw the attention of buyers to the number of megapixels and keep silent about such an important parameter as the physical size of the matrix. Of course, this is not fair, but no one canceled marketing, and it successfully dictates its own terms, so manufacturers and sellers are simply forced to give users what they want.
Why is the size of the matrix so important?
The number of megapixels does not affect the quality at all. It only determines how big the image will be. The picture may be just huge, but bad. And for it to be of good quality, a large matrix size is required. This information is not new, but it is deliberately forgotten even in stores.
Meanwhile, a good size of the camera's matrix (not the maximum, but just a good one) is more important than resolution, because the quality of the picture and how much light gets on the sensor itself depend on it. Resolution plays a role only when you plan to print photos on large media. For example, to print photos on A1 format, you need a large resolution, but even here 4 megapixelswill be sufficient. But for printing on ordinary photo paper measuring 10 x 15 cm, a resolution of 2 megapixels is suitable, no more. In general, most users upload photos to social networks, where they are pre-compressed.
What is the size of a matrix?
This is the ratio of the actual size of the camera's sensor to the standard film size, which is 35 mm. To clarify: modern cameras have cropped (cropped) matrices, so their size is most often not equal to half the standard one. However, it is always indicated in a fractional value (for example, 1/3.2″), and the buyer is completely confused.
Often people see a big value and think it's good, but in fact a big value in the denominator is bad. After all, the larger it is, the smaller the size of the matrix of a video camera or camera, which means that the quality of the pictures will be worse.
Typical sizes
Depending on how expensive or good the camera is, the size of the sensor can be small, medium or large. Below we present typical sizes that are most common.
Start with the smallest matrices:
- 1/3.2″ - matrices with this size are the smallest. There is nothing worse on the market. Seeing such a parameter in the characteristics of the camera, you should not buy it. The physical size here is 3.4 x 4.5 square millimeters, and no more or less worthy camera will be equipped with such a small matrix.
- 1/2.7″ - This size is also small (4 x 5.4 square millimeters) and is only found in cheap cameras.
- 1/2.5″ - the physical size of the matrix with this ratio is 4.3 x 5.8 square meters. mm. Most modern "soap dishes" of the middle price range are equipped with such sensors. We can say that this is the standard even for modern mirrorless and cheap SLR cameras.
- 1/1.8″ - the geometric size of the sensor is 5.3 x 7.2 square meters. mm. From here begins the category of more or less worthy cameras. Expensive mid-level SLR cameras can be equipped with a sensor with such geometric parameters. Also, simple small soap dishes can have such matrices.
- 2/3″ - the ratio at which the physical size will be equal to 6.6 x 8.8 square millimeters. Sensors with this parameter are used in expensive SLR and compact cameras with interchangeable or non-interchangeable lenses.
- 4/3″ - matrices with this ratio are used exclusively in expensive cameras. Here the size is 18 x 13.5 square meters. mm.
- DX, APS-C. Rarely the size is indicated by letters. If you see such a parameter, it means that the matrix in the camera is larger than the previous format, and its size is 24 x 18 mm. It corresponds to a 35 mm half-frame. These matrices are quite popular and can often be seen in semi-professional cameras. They are cheap to manufacture, and the pixel size remains large even at a resolution of 11-12 megapixels.
- Full-frame matrices. In size, they correspond to the classic 35 mm frame, and their sizeis 36 x 24 sq. mm. There are few cameras with such matrices on the market. These are professional models that are very expensive. The matrices themselves are difficult to manufacture, which explains the high cost of cameras based on these sensors.
How to determine the size of a matrix?
It's easy to do. It is always indicated in the technical specifications for any camera. But it can even be done visually. For example, digital cameras with 1/2.7″ sensors will be small and light. But a camera with a 1/1.8″ sensor, other things being equal, will be slightly larger and heavier.
Size affects the weight and volume of the camera, because the dimensions of the optics are closely related to the geometric parameters of the sensors. Professional photographers can "by eye" determine what sensor size is used in a particular camera.
Noises
Graininess in a photo is one of the most common defects that can be in a photo. If the camera has a small matrix, then the amount of light hitting it is also small. Because of this, in limited light (for example, indoors), such cameras take photos with graininess (noise). Under equal conditions, a camera with a 1/1.8″ sensor will take a photo with less noise than a model with a 1/2.3″ sensor. Of course, internal electrical processes, defects or heating of the matrix also take place in the appearance of noise, but this is no longer relevant to our topic.
Conclusion
Remember that a 20MP camera with a 1/2.3″ sensor will take a lower quality photo than an 8MP camera with a 1/1.8″ sensor. So the point here is not at all the resolution, which only affects the size of the image. It doesn’t play a role at all in the current conditions, because basically people “upload” their photos to social networks, where no one will open their original size.
Remember: the size of the sensor is the physical actual size of the sensor used, which has the greatest impact on image quality. When choosing a camera, first of all, pay attention to the geometric dimensions of the sensor, which are always indicated in the specifications. And only then look at the rest of the parameters, including resolution.
