Neil S.
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I am starting this thread because there seems to be some pretty strong opinions about how important sensor pixel density really is.
Please state your opinions on this, and provide examples, etc.
This is especially relevant now in my opinion because of the move toward higher and higher MP counts, while still keeping the same size sensors.
The question has to be asked if more MP is really better or not without first increasing sensor dimensions.
Is 20+ MP for an APS-C too much for the dimensions of the sensor for example?
I for one have a very open mind on this, and hope that if we put our heads together we can provide some good info for the community on this one.
I would like to request that we keep this strictly about sensor density, and not about specific camera brands or models (unless it directly relates to the topic).
Here is some info on how sensor size and MP count relates to sensor density:
Sensor length (mm) x width (mm) = square mm (sensor area)
Next you need to divide the Megapixels by the sensor area, and this gives you the pixel density per square mm
Example: Canon EOS 5D mk II (21.1MP) 36mm x 24mm FF sensor
36mm x 24mm = 864 square mm
21,100,000 (pixels) ÷ 864 (sensor area) = 24,421 pixels per square mm (rounded down)
* For comparison the 7D has a much higher sensor density of 53,157, and APS-C sensors in general have a way higher density compared to FF. Also many sensors used in point and shoot and cell phone cameras have a lot higher density than even APS-C.
- Neil
Please state your opinions on this, and provide examples, etc.
This is especially relevant now in my opinion because of the move toward higher and higher MP counts, while still keeping the same size sensors.
The question has to be asked if more MP is really better or not without first increasing sensor dimensions.
Is 20+ MP for an APS-C too much for the dimensions of the sensor for example?
I for one have a very open mind on this, and hope that if we put our heads together we can provide some good info for the community on this one.
I would like to request that we keep this strictly about sensor density, and not about specific camera brands or models (unless it directly relates to the topic).
Here is some info on how sensor size and MP count relates to sensor density:
Sensor length (mm) x width (mm) = square mm (sensor area)
Next you need to divide the Megapixels by the sensor area, and this gives you the pixel density per square mm
Example: Canon EOS 5D mk II (21.1MP) 36mm x 24mm FF sensor
36mm x 24mm = 864 square mm
21,100,000 (pixels) ÷ 864 (sensor area) = 24,421 pixels per square mm (rounded down)
* For comparison the 7D has a much higher sensor density of 53,157, and APS-C sensors in general have a way higher density compared to FF. Also many sensors used in point and shoot and cell phone cameras have a lot higher density than even APS-C.
- Neil