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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 18:34, 8 September 2023
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<code>''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> | ||
== Focusing Abilities == | |||
We may consider that a simple central focus in a scene you want to capture may be enough to reach a good quality output, but this is very far from the truth. A good camera has to determine the best focus by analyzing multiple areas in the same image for -over and -under exposure. Advanced image sensors may also be able to slightly bias the initial shot to create a more even image. While the discussion seems technical and sophistic, the above presentation is due to manufacturer secrecy and best-guesses about implementations. | |||
Having on-demand focusing abilities works perfect with touchscreens for smartphones and newer generation professional cameras. Older professional and semiprofessional cameras only had a cumbersome way of focusing that failed if the subject was not placed precisely in the center of the frame or at a point where the camera could easily detect. Angled shots were particularly troublesome. More modern designs fare better in this respect. Affordable professional cameras have a 9 point focusing ability while newer one have a more advanced one. | |||
<code>''It is advisable to spot the most advanced focusing system and image processor in cameras. Even if you may not have a top-of-the-line model, you may still reach, on average, more consistent results.''</code> | |||
== Colour abilities == | == Colour abilities == | ||
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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. | ||
<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> | <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 and are more capable due to the image processors incorporated inside.''</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. | ||
<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 | <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. | ||
<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> | <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!. Camera viewfinders are best when freely-orient-able, to account for various scenes.''</code> | ||
== Image output formats and video recording abilities == | == Image output formats and video recording abilities == | ||
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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. | ||
<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> | Professional cameras have different storage requirements. Photos are the least demanding, size and speed-wise, a 128 or 256GB should be plenty even for intense photo-shoot sessions of around a week, while not enough for extensive video shooting in Full HD or 4k at 60fps for even a single day. For these circumstances, it is best to have at least a 512GB to 1TB memory card and 512GB cards are particularly affordable nowadays. Speed ratings matter less when recording except when below class U2, although they do matter when transferring multiple files, as is the case for photos. You can reliably use MicrosSD instead of SD cards, with adapters, to transfer data faster between devices with card readers. Capacities of 2TB are the maximum for the current SDXC card standard and higher ones will use a different standard. Keep such information in mind 5 years down the line, for reference. | ||
<code>''When wireless data transfer is required, particularly for smartphones without microSD card slots, at least 256GB storage and Wifi 6 abilities are required. Professional cameras require 512GB SD card sizes for optimum storage when capturing film, for 30000 photos, you can get away with less than a quarter of this size.''</code> | |||