CCD vs CMOS

Every digital camera (or other digital imaging device) has the image sensor. What is image sensor? The job of an image sensor is converts light into electric charge, and process it into electronic signals. So, we can preview the picture which is captured by digital camera on our computer, in digital format.

There have two main image sensors: Charge-Coupled Device (CCD), and Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS).

CCD is an analog device. When light strikes the chip it is held as a small electrical charge in each photo sensor. The charges are converted to voltage one pixel at a time as they are read from the chip. Additional circuitry in the camera converts the voltage into digital information.

CMOS chip is a type of active pixel sensor made using the CMOS semiconductor process. Extra circuitry next to each photo sensor converts the light energy to a voltage. Additional circuitry on the chip may be included to convert the voltage to digital data.

Traditionally, here is some noticeable differences between CCD and CMOS.

- CCD create high quality and low noise images. CMOS are more susceptible to noise.
- CCD consume lots of power. CMOS consume little power.
- CCD will be more expensive than CMOS
- CCD device is less complex than CMOS

Today there is no clear advantage in image quality for both CCD and CMOS. Because CMOS designers have devoted intense effort to archieving high image quality, while CCD designers have lowered their power requirements and pixel sizes. As a result, you can find CCDs in low-cost low-power cellphone cameras and CMOS sensors in high-performance professional (such as digital SLR camera) and industrial cameras, directly contradicting the early stereotypes.

Refer here for more feature comparison between CCD and CMOS.

Article Reference:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_sensor
2. http://www.dalsa.com/corp/markets/CCD_vs_CMOS.aspx
3. http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question362.htm

I am looking for my 1st digital SLR camera for a period of time. The only two manufacturer in my consideration list is Canon and Nikon. For Canon, EOS 450D and EOS 1000D is very suitable for the entry-level or the beginner of digital SLR camera. For Nikon, D60 and D90 is the better choice so.

Just after few weeks I decide to buy my 1st digital SLR camera, the two manufacturer announced their new digital SLR camera: Canon EOS 500D, and the Nikon 5000D. Before Nikon released the Nikon 5000D, Canon EOS 500D is my first choice rather of 1000D, 450D, D60 and D90. But afterwards, I indecisive to buy Canon EOS 500D or Nikon D5000. That’s why I have to make a comparison between them according to what I actually want on the digital SLR camera.

Now, talk about what is the great feature of each digital SLR camera!

Nikon D5000

The most significant feature of Nikon D5000 is the 2.7? tilt and swivel LCD monitor. This is the first ever LCD on a digital SLR which can rotate 180 degrees. This kind of novel LCD enables you to compose stunning photographs in angles which you can not take with any other digital SLR cameras.

Canon EOS 500D

The most significant feature of Canon EOS 500D is the video recording ability. Canon EOS 500D can record 1080p full HD videos at 20fps and 720p video at 30fps with AF. Although only 20 frames for full HD video recording, but it still great with 30 frames for non-full HD video recording.

For me, I still prefer Canon EOS 500D. May be the variable angle LCD monitor of the Nikon D5000 is not enough to allure me, while the great video recording ability of Canon EOS 500D is more attractively. Other than that, 15.1 megapixels is still a big advantage of Canon EOS 500D compare to the 12.3 megapixels of Nikon D5000. And the rest, is just bagatelle and not so important for me on choosing a digital SLR camera.

If you are looking more for comparison on this two incredible entry-level digital SLR camera, Canon EOS 500D and Nikon D5000, you can refer to here for feature comparison table.