'Noise' Question

[statebirdme]

Hey, I'm looking to get digital camera that iI can carry around in my pocket, wherever I go, beccause its just kind of inconvenient to carry my d50 with me wherever I go. Low and behold I see every couple days chances to get good pictures at unexpected times, so I kick myself for not having a camera with me for those times. I have been researching the smaller digital cameras and one of the camers I'm looking at , a sony W100 , has an 8.1 megapixel 1.8 inch CCD and it is more expensive then the sony W70 which had a 2.5 inch 7.2 megapixel CCD. What I'm wondering is, does having a larger slightly larger sensor with fewer megapixels record a more ideal picture than a smaller sized higher megapixel sensor? I know that smaller sensors tend to record pictures with more noise, but at what point do they truly hurt the picture in a noticeable manner? Also, if any of you can suggest a small digital camera that you have had really good experiences with it would be appreciated. I've looked at the user reviews of the digital cameras and currently for the cameras I've been looking at, very few , reviews have been written so all comments are highly appreciated! thanks for your time!

[Erik Stiegler]

Actually, the W100's 1/1.8" sensor is larger than the W70's 1/1.25" sensor. So the W100 has a larger sensor and better resolution.

I would lean towards the larger sensor (as I doubt I could tell the difference between 7 and 8 megapixels anyway), and the W100 probably has other features the W70 doesn't.

One other compact camera that I think is worth a look is the Panasonic TZ1. It's very small, and has an ingenious 10x stabilized lens.

[another view]

I think those sizes you mention are the LCD monitor sizes, not the sensor sizes. On small cameras, the sensors are tiny - even on DSLR's, they're not that big. The Nikon has one that's half the size of a frame of 35mm negative, and that'll be much larger than the compacts.

On at least a theoretical level, sensor size makes a difference with noise but noise reduction software makes a difference - in camera or during post processing. There are a couple of Fuji cameras that are supposed to be very good with noise at high ISO and very small too.

[Broncosaurus]

I think those sizes you mention are the LCD monitor sizes, not the sensor sizes. On small cameras, the sensors are tiny - even on DSLR's, they're not that big. The Nikon has one that's half the size of a frame of 35mm negative, and that'll be much larger than the compacts.

On at least a theoretical level, sensor size makes a difference with noise but noise reduction software makes a difference - in camera or during post processing. There are a couple of Fuji cameras that are supposed to be very good with noise at high ISO and very small too.

Yeah, I was thinking that too. A 1.8" sensor would be a bit over 45mm. That is pretty huge, even when compared to the largest DSLRs.

Also, when comparing Mp, read the fine print. It's fairly common for an ad to list a maximum file size instead of the actual sensor size in Mp. It makles a difference.

[Erik Stiegler]

Statebirdme basically has the correct numbers, but left the 1/ out of the figures for sensor size. The W70 has a 1/2.5" (5.76x 4.29 mm) sensor and the W100 has a 1/1.8" (7.18 x 5.32 mm) sensor.

Both cameras have a 2.5" LCD screen.

[freygr]

Statebirdme basically has the correct numbers, but left the 1/ out of the figures for sensor size. The W70 has a 1/2.5" (5.76x 4.29 mm) sensor and the W100 has a 1/1.8" (7.18 x 5.32 mm) sensor.

Both cameras have a 2.5" LCD screen.

Those sizes are too large, both are larger than the image size of 35mm film, and both the Canon and Nikon sensers. The 1 x 2.5 references the senser horz. and vert ratio of the sensor. I would be supprized if either of those sensor are over a 1/3 inch or 1/2 inch in size.

[another view]

I'm not familiar with fractions like that (must be that there new math ) but a 35mm negative is 24x36mm. Those metric dimensions that you mention sound about right for a compact digital and I think that's slightly bigger than my old Coolpix 5000. That camera is pretty noisy above 200, but with it's own noise reduction software 400 looks pretty good. It's only gotten better with newer cameras too.

Regardless of which of these you go with, they both have small sensors. I'd look at the results of the image file more than anything else (sum of the parts, basically). Since it's hard to try two side by side taking the same shot with each without actually buying both cameras, you'll find some sample studio shots on the web. There are a few examples like that Photo John has done in the Pro Reviews section of this site.

[Erik Stiegler]

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/key=sensor%20sizes

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...ny_dscw100.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...ony_dscw70.asp

1/1.8" and 1/2.5" are common sensor sizes in compact digital camera and have been for years. The first link gives an explanation of the fractional naming conventions. It is a little weird.

I clearly posted the dimensions of both sensors (5.76 x 4.29 mm and 7.18 x 5.32 mm). Neither of those is anywhere close to the size of a 35mm frame of film (24 x 36 mm).