Establishing imaging sensor specifications for digital still cameras

Michael A. Kriss

doi:10.1117/12.703189

20 February 2007 Establishing imaging sensor specifications for digital still cameras

Michael A. Kriss

Proceedings Volume 6502, Digital Photography III; 65020L (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.703189
Event: Electronic Imaging 2007, 2007, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Digital Still Cameras, DSCs, have now displaced conventional still cameras in most markets. The heart of a DSC is thought to be the imaging sensor, be it Full Frame CCD, and Interline CCD, a CMOS sensor or the newer Foveon buried photodiode sensors. There is a strong tendency by consumers to consider only the number of mega-pixels in a camera and not to consider the overall performance of the imaging system, including sharpness, artifact control, noise, color reproduction, exposure latitude and dynamic range. This paper will provide a systematic method to characterize the physical requirements of an imaging sensor and supporting system components based on the desired usage. The analysis is based on two software programs that determine the "sharpness", potential for artifacts, sensor "photographic speed", dynamic range and exposure latitude based on the physical nature of the imaging optics, sensor characteristics (including size of pixels, sensor architecture, noise characteristics, surface states that cause dark current, quantum efficiency, effective MTF, and the intrinsic full well capacity in terms of electrons per square centimeter). Examples will be given for consumer, pro-consumer, and professional camera systems. Where possible, these results will be compared to imaging system currently on the market.

Citation Download Citation

Michael A. Kriss "Establishing imaging sensor specifications for digital still cameras", Proc. SPIE 6502, Digital Photography III, 65020L (20 February 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.703189

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