Low light test - CMOS vs. CCD sensors (Digital cameras)

[LIiutaio]

You compared two differents sensor's size!

[LIiutaio]

BSI CMOS compare...

[MeLinhLam]

I wonder how you're gonna compare a V6 to an I6? I bet you will use an Accord and dyno against a Supra.

Idiot

[FasteningBeeps]

:/



[subiesvx]

What's your point??? If your goal is to compare a CMOS sensor to a CCD you need make your comparison using cameras that are comparable in all other respects too. If you don't think the optics used with the sensor matter, you are sadly mistaken. With a larger higher quality lens it is possible to focus much more light on a sensor (regardless of type) than with a smaller lower quality lens. There are so many uncontrolled variables in your "test" that it's silly and pointless.

[jege41]

If you are not sure that a 1.8 lens would be the variable in producing a low light photograph, versus the CCD over the CMOS in low light then Mr you better study up on Photography 101.

Well done video though even if your not really sure on what you are talking about.

[kynancecove]

I thought I would throw my pennies worth in I shoot MOVIES in a point & shoot FUJI SUPER CCD on my 4 Fuji F20's and the quality is fantastic vlittle noice for a small sensor P+S I would advice all to check this camera out . so good little Bro of the famous CAMERA OF THE YEA FUJI F30& F31FD. Saying that I am on the search on a budget CMOS P+s @ 1080p WITH NO MANUAL FOCUS[ im P aralysed ] DECENT SUTO FOCUS

[mathieuemi666]

low light: 1st thing to consider: sensor size. 2nd thing: aperture. 3rd thing: sensor technology.

To compare CCD and CMOS you need similar cameras with same settings. Otherwise that's not a test.

Canon for example has very identical cameras one with CMOS, and one with CCD.

[VideoGuyNC]

The reason CMOS cameras tend not to have as much noise in low light is due quite simply to it's poor image quality! The plague of CMOS sensors is that they produce a great amount of image white noise which blurs detail and resolution. So, your artifacting is still there - however; the CMOS is blurred enough to hide it. Also, you can't compare a point and shoot to a DSLR. Compare more equal cameras, and you'll see that CCD is best

[tien714]

Why won't companies just put in a video led light for low light; it seems like the right solution. Some models do have them but most don't?

[blackneno]

you should compare same size CCD and CMOS. There is no doubt that dslr can manage noise better than P&S. I would love to see something like...CMOS vs CCD vs Back illuminated CMOS in those compacts. Thanks for the comparison though :)

[LIiutaio]

But, Cmos Back iluminated (BSI) is much better, no?

All the new cam HD uses Cmos BSI. CCD is in disuse.

[jlcool007]

if you turn up the iso, the IQ is gonna go to crap...i own a t1i and can vouch for this.  anywho, what were the iso settings on each camera.. that is the only way to compare (BUT, a p&s is not going to have great iq regardless of iso int he first place, so it's a moot point as well)

you also have to take into account that the f/1.8 id going to let in TWICE the light of an f/3.5(well, yeah, f/3.6... i get it) and etc... aperture and light intensity scale.

[Scousejournalist]

The CMOS night visuals are superior to the CCD BUT... in those situations like for example (my work) filming a gig in a venue you are going to move around a lot chasing the subjects encountering the infamous CMOS "jelly effect" and the thing that annoys the most, is whenever there is something worth filming people are flashing cameras which sets off the CMOS rolling shutter stuff.

CMOS have a purpose though, sitting on a tripod filming beautiful still video

Close ups and action videos = CCD

[qigong1001]

This was an excellent comparison for those interested in the video functionality of a pocket camera. It shows what can be done and what can't. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW UNLESS IT IS SHOWN. Assuming the expensive camera with higher mp/size is better for everyone, shows the sheer obedience of the consumer. It depends on what you are doing. In addition, an SLR is as good as its user or purpose. For moderate light, you can do some amazing things with the 780sd canon video function.

[mcv1994]

Well, actually, it also has a lot to do with the lens. The f1.8 lens lets in 4 times more light than the f3.2-f5.8 lens of the PowerShot. That's one major difference, the other one obviously being the sensor size difference.

[IronFist80]

CMOS sensor for me :) less power consumption, plus less noise, stick your CCD sensors up where the sun don't shine!

[1aMattes]

cheap CCD > cheap CMOS; expens.. CCD < expens. CMOS

[trewio]

cmos id good only for pic. for video is much better ccd sensor. no jello effect if you move the camera and much better quality.

[TheEnterco]

An APS-C sensor like Canon T1i uses is few times larger than a 1/2.3" sensor. Also, the T1i camera has a totally different lens.

What are you comparing here? The moon with the sun?

[klussic]

50mm is amazing lens for low light, definitely not the sensor .

[CaleidoskopicaM3NTE]

__ REALLY, CCD is much Better than CMOS

The SRL CAMERAS ( like Canon T1i) are semi-proffesionals and provide high quality. SRL cameras cannot compare with COMPACT cameras like Canon SD780is ( standard quality )

further SD780is is Old, your CCD sensor is outdated.

[nate42nd]

@CaleidoskopicaM3NTE I have a new video up with the Canon S95 if you haven't seen it. It's sensor isn't outdated. It's one of the best smalls sensors made.

[CaleidoskopicaM3NTE]

@nate42nd

hahaha

Canon S95 have a CDD with High Sensibility, but this camera is relatively NEW.

But neither cannot compare with Canon 7D NEVER ( only the sensor )

Altough, its a Good Choice ( Standard Cameras). Another Good options, are Nikon P100, Sony HX1, WX5, Olympus E-5, Panasonic FZ35, Casio EXF1, EX FH25 ( for me )

:D

Greetings

[TheEnterco]

@CaleidoskopicaM3NTE An APS-C sized sensor has ALL the reasons to have lower noise than a 1/2.3" sensor. Period. That video is a crap. @nate42nd: Next time try to compare equally sized sensors.

[NLS87]

you're so stupid, the P&S camera has such a small sensor, it can't compare...

[nate42nd]

@NLS87 Yea, it's stupid to compare cameras to give smart people an idea of what differences they will see between them. I need to try to get smart. Maybe as smart as you someday. Have a good day.

[KRAFTWERK2K6]

Sorry but CMOS is a no go in ANY way. Rolling shutter makes these kind of Image sensors USELESS for almost any situation. They are not superrior at all over CCDs.

CMOS might be only usable for CCTV cameras since they never do hardcore pannings and they need good lowlight quality. For anything else, use CCD chip cameras. Especially when you wanna make movies. And by the way, lowlight quality also depends on the lens of the camera. Not only on the sensor.

[Hadzime123]

What about the Rolling Shutter Effect?

Even at this video I can see jelly of CMOS sensor

[James6874]

Are you seriously comparing a $230 12.1 mp point & shoot to an $800 EOS Rebel T1i SLR ???

the t1i may have better low light capability but for $500 I'd carry a light...or flip on the light switch..

A better comparison would be $429 14.1 mp PowerShot SX30 IS (point & shoot) to the $650 12.2 mp EOS Rebel XSi SLR..... comparing a $800 SLR to a $230 point and shoot .... thats almost funny...

[nate42nd]

@James6874 I explain what the cameras are. CCD sensors will not do as well no matter how expensve the camera is...but point taken. It's not a perfect comparison. Have a good one.

[simon1234simon]

@nate42nd ofcourse canon is better - it's more expensive, bigger sensor, etc. but why does hasselblad h4d or panavison genesis HD that both cost about 50000 (without the lenses ofcourse) have a CCD sensor? :)

[rceed]

@nate42nd yes,you need same sensor size to compare. SD780 is 6.16 x 4.62 = 28,4592 mm2. Rebel is IPS-C, which is 22.2 x 14.8 = 328,56mm2. That's 11.5 times more light. Look how the equal sized sensors compare.

[LieuNoir]

@James6874: Why? Well of course he's serious! Before being a matter of price, it's a matter of technology (and sensor size) and it's interesting to quantify the gap that exists between both. I find it very interesting to show any P&S user what he could win by using a better camera.

As for carrying a light: in many situations, it's not possible. In many other situations, you will have a much better result with a CMOS than a CCD+light

[vwlover94]

@James6874 but recently some point and shooters out there have a upgrading size in sensors, wether its CCD OR CMOS Dlsr and SLR are great but to expensive and changing the lenses everytime to get a shot can be a bitch, I have a FZ28K panasonic point and shoot and the sensor is a 1/4" CCD and noise levels are noticeable at iso 400 :( but im buying the fz100 later on and will be taking astrophotograhy pics and will be using the point and shoot cameras long exposure capablities for up to a minute,

[paulanthonydavenport]

Great Comparison Vid! Thx for posting

[DoNotuseEbid]

wow big difference. Does this apply to all ccd v cmos sensors or just the camcorder differences?

[ngvgnDOTcom]

ISO and F stop can make all the difference. CMOS I heard is better in low light. CCD is better if you have a camera on a car no jello effect also called rolling shutter.

[au1947]

good

[NoxTekDotCom]

The long and short of it is really that CCD sensors are always going to be superior in terms of fluidity of motion and the correct respresentation of that motion, the CMOS sensors of today while providing far superior low light performance are very prone to the jello effect aka "rolling shutter". This will change when CMOS sensors are produced that have higher frame-to-frame response times. Given the choice which camera to sneak into a dimly lit concert, the CMOS would win every time!

[walkabout16]

more jello effects when panning with the cmos though

[nate42nd]

@walkabout16 True, but I don't see any unless I pan real fast. I don't see any in these videos....do you? I can't see the effect unless I pan very fast with the CMOS....but good point.

[videospajza]

@walkabout16 The jello effect can hardly be noticed if you use a lower shutter speed like 1/30. The faster the shutter speed, the more jello. I know that from experience :) The CCD also has jello effect, but in the vertical direction, when tilting. ;)

[NoxTekDotCom]

Thumbs up, of course, by the way. :-)

[NoxTekDotCom]

The difference lies soley in the CMOS sensor, they are far superior to CCD in every way especially in low lux conditions. Does that DSLR shoot at 20FPS or 24FPS?

[nate42nd]

@NoxTekDotCom 30 FPS at 720P Nox 20 FPS at 1080p so I used 720p at 30 FPS