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Difference between revisions of "Key Camera Specifications Explained"
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Key Camera Specifications Explained (view source)
Revision as of 20:28, 3 September 2023
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Cameras that incorporate sensors have their own requirements in terms of size, cost and power usage. This means that a design that works well in a large camera is ill suited for a small one. Phones in particular require the most compact image sensors that have low power requirements and are also affordable enough for a manufacturer. The size requirement is the most important reason for the compromises that that a phone has in terms of image quality. It is very hard to reach a good enough result. | Cameras that incorporate sensors have their own requirements in terms of size, cost and power usage. This means that a design that works well in a large camera is ill suited for a small one. Phones in particular require the most compact image sensors that have low power requirements and are also affordable enough for a manufacturer. The size requirement is the most important reason for the compromises that that a phone has in terms of image quality. It is very hard to reach a good enough result. | ||
''Some configuration details may not be disclosed about product manufacturers since they consider them to be a commercial secret.''</code> | <code>''Some configuration details may not be disclosed about product manufacturers since they consider them to be a commercial secret.''</code> | ||
== Colour abilities == | == Colour abilities == | ||
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Larger, professional cameras may have 3 separate sensors, each being used only to capture a particular color, such as red, green and blue. These products have the advantage of being marketed to a public that is willing to pay more for specific features. Such an ability actually offers at least three times the accuracy of images being captured, making sure that colors never bleed on adjacent areas and contrast is not compromised. | Larger, professional cameras may have 3 separate sensors, each being used only to capture a particular color, such as red, green and blue. These products have the advantage of being marketed to a public that is willing to pay more for specific features. Such an ability actually offers at least three times the accuracy of images being captured, making sure that colors never bleed on adjacent areas and contrast is not compromised. | ||
''Rarely more than a passing mention about the sensor features is present. Unless otherwise specified, almost all cameras have a single colour image sensor and the layout of light detectors is unknown.'' | <code>''Rarely more than a passing mention about the sensor features is present. Unless otherwise specified, almost all cameras have a single colour image sensor and the layout of light detectors is unknown.''</code> | ||
== Sensor Image Size Rating == | == Sensor Image Size Rating == | ||
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The advertised value of a phone camera's image sensor has steadily evolved into a marketing information that has, unfortunately, much less relevance than it had in the past. Before the advent of advanced image processing, this value was almost always the native capability of the image sensor inside a camera. As development of new sensors with higher density, able to capture higher resolution areas at the same size hit a technology limit around 10 years ago, manufacturers turned to image processing and algorithms to boost the perceived resolution, which has nothing to do with the actual capability of a sensor. | The advertised value of a phone camera's image sensor has steadily evolved into a marketing information that has, unfortunately, much less relevance than it had in the past. Before the advent of advanced image processing, this value was almost always the native capability of the image sensor inside a camera. As development of new sensors with higher density, able to capture higher resolution areas at the same size hit a technology limit around 10 years ago, manufacturers turned to image processing and algorithms to boost the perceived resolution, which has nothing to do with the actual capability of a sensor. | ||
''In actual terms, a phone sensor could present a 10-25MP value, while the advertised value can reach 100 or 200MP. Semi-professional and professional cameras have reliable sensor MP ratings.'' | <code>''In actual terms, a phone sensor could present a 10-25MP value, while the advertised value can reach 100 or 200MP. Semi-professional and professional cameras have reliable sensor MP ratings.''</code> | ||
== Effective Sensor Surface Area == | == Effective Sensor Surface Area == | ||
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Sensor size can never be compensated through image processing but results are acceptable even with smaller ones. The most obvious limitations are in the context of low light or massive variations in brightness around the scene. Over-exposure and under exposure may be the most obvious manifestation of this limitation. | Sensor size can never be compensated through image processing but results are acceptable even with smaller ones. The most obvious limitations are in the context of low light or massive variations in brightness around the scene. Over-exposure and under exposure may be the most obvious manifestation of this limitation. | ||
''A good smartphone image sensor mush have at least a 1/1.3 square inches or 0.76 square inches surface area. Sometimes the value is expressed as f divided by another value, where f is the full frame sensor surface area. A good professional camera must have a full frame sensor surface area of around 1.34 square inches.'' | <code>''A good smartphone image sensor mush have at least a 1/1.3 square inches or 0.76 square inches surface area. Sometimes the value is expressed as f divided by another value, where f is the full frame sensor surface area. A good professional camera must have a full frame sensor surface area of around 1.34 square inches.''</code> | ||
== Integrated display size and type == | == Integrated display size and type == | ||
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A viewfinder is better than a typical display as it can ensure perfect subject focusing and framing abilities. Without a viewfinder, as in the case of smartphones, a large, high quality display is mandatory. OLED and MicroLED screens have the best contrast, colour and thus image reproduction capabilities. Keep in mind that, however, the saturation profile used out of the box is wrongly set on "vivid", to entice costumers. A good and large screen helps to quickly determine if the capture was good or not, without resorting to very large displays. Such displays also helps to better get accustomed to camera limitations and use it to the best extent. | A viewfinder is better than a typical display as it can ensure perfect subject focusing and framing abilities. Without a viewfinder, as in the case of smartphones, a large, high quality display is mandatory. OLED and MicroLED screens have the best contrast, colour and thus image reproduction capabilities. Keep in mind that, however, the saturation profile used out of the box is wrongly set on "vivid", to entice costumers. A good and large screen helps to quickly determine if the capture was good or not, without resorting to very large displays. Such displays also helps to better get accustomed to camera limitations and use it to the best extent. | ||
''Larger displays are highly recommended. A viewfinder is highly important in professional and semi-professional cameras. A good smartphone used for photos should never have an LCD screen but an OLED type for best image reproduction!'' | <code>''Larger displays are highly recommended. A viewfinder is highly important in professional and semi-professional cameras. A good smartphone used for photos should never have an LCD screen but an OLED type for best image reproduction!''</code> | ||
== Image output formats and video recording abilities == | == Image output formats and video recording abilities == | ||
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Video recording capabilities expose other important details about the camera sensor. Processing video on the fly is very difficult so the camera sensor image capabilities are much more readily exposed here. A camera that advertises a very high picture resolution in MP or megapixels, but a very poor ability to record video than another similar one, hints at unrealistic still image capturing claims. A good camera should be able to record also videos at a 4k resolution with at least a 60Hz or FPS (frames per second) ability. Higher resolutions and frame-rates are an indication of good sensors and logic but resolutions as high as 8k are somewhat impractical for video footage production and editing at the moment due to massive processing and storage requirements. | Video recording capabilities expose other important details about the camera sensor. Processing video on the fly is very difficult so the camera sensor image capabilities are much more readily exposed here. A camera that advertises a very high picture resolution in MP or megapixels, but a very poor ability to record video than another similar one, hints at unrealistic still image capturing claims. A good camera should be able to record also videos at a 4k resolution with at least a 60Hz or FPS (frames per second) ability. Higher resolutions and frame-rates are an indication of good sensors and logic but resolutions as high as 8k are somewhat impractical for video footage production and editing at the moment due to massive processing and storage requirements. | ||
''Any mention about RAW format output signals products catering to professional users. High video resolution at high frame-rate video capturing abilities, such as 8k at 60fps, is an indication of a very good sensor capability. In most circumstances, a 4k filming at 60Hz or FPS should be available to the camera, at the minimum.'' | <code>''Any mention about RAW format output signals products catering to professional users. High video resolution at high frame-rate video capturing abilities, such as 8k at 60fps, is an indication of a very good sensor capability. In most circumstances, a 4k filming at 60Hz or FPS should be available to the camera, at the minimum.''</code> | ||
== Battery capacity rating in mAh == | == Battery capacity rating in mAh == | ||
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Using the camera on video recording mode or frequent image captures with the screen set to high brightness can quickly drain a battery. This is even more important for devices that can be used in multiple ways, as in the case of a smartphone. Unless the smartphone is permanently powered when in video recording mode, the brightness should be reduced. Most applications cannot record with a closed screen which means that a long video recording will deplete the battery much faster. | Using the camera on video recording mode or frequent image captures with the screen set to high brightness can quickly drain a battery. This is even more important for devices that can be used in multiple ways, as in the case of a smartphone. Unless the smartphone is permanently powered when in video recording mode, the brightness should be reduced. Most applications cannot record with a closed screen which means that a long video recording will deplete the battery much faster. | ||
''Larger batteries help autonomy on products in the same range. Capacity alone cannot be a criteria to select or avoid a product but the battery technology being used and the available autonomy expressed in hours can hint at good designs, particularly for smartphones.'' | <code>''Larger batteries help autonomy on products in the same range. Capacity alone cannot be a criteria to select or avoid a product but the battery technology being used and the available autonomy expressed in hours can hint at good designs, particularly for smartphones.''</code> | ||
== Networking and Data Storage Ability == | == Networking and Data Storage Ability == | ||
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Some of the newest smartphones do not have memory or SD card storage connection or slot capabilities. In these circumstances it is essential to consider the performance of wireless transfer abilities and the need to set up a system centered around access to shared folders and installation of an application that is suitable for wireless transfers to a computer. Many applications can be installed free of charge on an Android or iPhone product which means that such tasks can be reliably and quickly solved. Major requirements for smartphones come down to having at least 256GB of storage space and Wifi 6 networking capabilities. | Some of the newest smartphones do not have memory or SD card storage connection or slot capabilities. In these circumstances it is essential to consider the performance of wireless transfer abilities and the need to set up a system centered around access to shared folders and installation of an application that is suitable for wireless transfers to a computer. Many applications can be installed free of charge on an Android or iPhone product which means that such tasks can be reliably and quickly solved. Major requirements for smartphones come down to having at least 256GB of storage space and Wifi 6 networking capabilities. | ||
''When wireless data transfer is required, particularly for smartphones without microSD card slots, at least 256GB storage and Wifi 6 abilities are required.'' | <code>''When wireless data transfer is required, particularly for smartphones without microSD card slots, at least 256GB storage and Wifi 6 abilities are required.''</code> | ||