Thread: Making sense of the sensor size?
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Old August 30th 07, 02:49 AM posted to rec.photo.digital,rec.photo.digital.zlr
Grumpy AuContraire
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Default Making sense of the sensor size?


wrote:
On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:28:15 -0500, RPS wrote:


Could somebody please explain the jargon used to denote the sensor size?
I mean numbers like 1/1.7. How does this translate to actual size
(dimensions or area)?

What is the typical size for DSLR?
For ZLR?
For good P&S?

Thanks.



I'm not familiar with ZLR and P&S's, but for DSLRs, unless the
manufacturer says the sensor is "full frame", they're usually in the
range of the reciprocal of 1.5 to 1.7... meaning they are smaller
than the standard 35mm from film days. You'll also hear of "APS"
size sensors, a size of film also smaller than 35mm.

That should help you some...


Jim




There are technical barriers for making full size (35MM double frame)
sensors and there was a good write up when Leica built a digital M
series camera and the compromises that had to be taken. Unfortunately,
I forgot where I read it...

JT