Sensor size, can someone help?

[Lazy Photographer]

I've got a wee point & shoot Panasonic that has a small sensor (1/2.5"). Does anyone know what the crop factor would be for such a small sensor? I'm trying to figure out what the 28mm end of my lens equates to in 35mm format. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ErectedGryphon]

P&S cameras are funny when it come to focal lengths and sensors, the easy explination is the companies make it up as they go... mostly using terms like 40X optical. Heres a link to an article (based on DSLR) that might clear it up a little;
The "Multiplier Factor" - Lonestardigital.com

 

[Lazy Photographer]

Thanks. Since posting the question I found some specs on my camera that say the 28mm wide end is equivalent to 37mm. But can that be true? The sensor on a D90 is 1.6 crop, so a 28mm lens would be equivalent to 44mm, no? On a camera like mine, with a much smaller sensor, I would think the crop factor would be way bigger. Then again, maybe the smaller lens play into it somehow. I just don't know.

 

[ErectedGryphon]

I would say, the smaller lense is likely rated as an "Equivilent" the 28mm is the focal point from the film/sensor surface, is the P&S lens even 28mm long physically?

 

[ErectedGryphon]

These two books actually have good explanations in them;

PCPhoto Digital SLR Handbook
PCPhoto Digital Zoom Camera Handbook

Both by Rob Sheppard.

Wish I could find you some better, free online resources, but my google isnt turning up much either.

I have read the books though.

 

[Dwig]

Thanks. Since posting the question I found some specs on my camera that say the 28mm wide end is equivalent to 37mm. ...

There is absolutely no way that 28mm is the wide end of the zoom on any P&S camera with a 1/2.5" sensor. Either there's a big misprint in the specs you read or you have mis-read them.

 

[KmH]

Here's another link you may like to visit. It has a calculator you can use.