What sort of sensor does the G9 have ?

[I Simonius]

Is the G9 sensor the same tipe as the Canon DSLRs?

[GordonSBuck]

Canon DSLRs use relatively large CMOS sensors as compared to the small CCD used in the Canon G9. Almost all digicams use small CCD sensors. I believe that Canon makes their own CMOS sensors but uses CCDs from other manufacturers. The CCD used in the G9 is probably made by Sony.

[I Simonius]

Canon DSLRs use relatively large CMOS sensors as compared to the small CCD used in the Canon G9. Almost all digicams use small CCD sensors. I believe that Canon makes their own CMOS sensors but uses CCDs from other manufacturers. The CCD used in the G9 is probably made by Sony.

Thanks. Any rumours that they'll be changing that in the next version?

[jaclarkaus]

Thanks. Any rumours that they'll be changing that in the next version?

Well you could start one ...:lol:

It woudl mean them putting a bigger one in it (APS-C?) which would be a really good thing (and an f2 lense for shallow DOF)

[I Simonius]

Well you could start one ...:lol:

It woudl mean them putting a bigger one in it (APS-C?) which would be a really good thing (and an f2 lense for shallow DOF)

Start a rumour? - who me? Never!:lol::p

[FatCat]

In order to use a big sensor in such a shallow body you'll need a very wide lens (28mm?) and little or no zoom, now where i've heard of something like that? --cough --Sigma DP1 --cough ^_^

[Jannie]

Tiny!

[JohnJ80]

Thanks. Any rumours that they'll be changing that in the next version?

No. To do that the price would go up dramatically as would the size of the camera, the size of the lens etc....

I think an APS-C sensor probably costs as much as the whole camera (G9).

J

[Persephone]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/SensorSizes1b.jpg

A handy visual guide on sensor sizes in cameras. The G9 is a bit larger than most point and shoot cameras but is much smaller than the DSLR ones.

[I Simonius]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/SensorSizes1b.jpg

A handy visual guide on sensor sizes in cameras. The G9 is a bit larger than most point and shoot cameras but is much smaller than the DSLR ones.

thanks for that - very informative!

Tiny!

So I see now - I had no idea it was so small!

[JohnJ80]

thanks for that - very informative!
So I see now - I had no idea it was so small!


Yep. That's why increasing the sensor size, which is what would be needed for better high ISO performance, better low noise performance and overall better detail would cause a much bigger lens to be required just to cover the area of the sensor. That in turn would require a bigger motor, bigger body, etc...

J.

[I Simonius]

Yep. That's why increasing the sensor size, which is what would be needed for better high ISO performance, better low noise performance and overall better detail would cause a much bigger lens to be required just to cover the area of the sensor. That in turn would require a bigger motor, bigger body, etc...

J.

So what I really want then is a Leica style Canon, i.e a P&S but with a bigger sensor - c.mon Canon where's the canon 'rangefinder'?;):D

[JohnJ80]

Exactly, although the Leica is a bit overdone.

The sigma DP1 is along those lines but doesn't have interchangeable lenses so you get one focal length.

Apparently panasonic has one out with a larger sensor and lower pixel density. That could be interesting.

J.

[FatCat]

Truth is, we don't need a full 35 mm size sensor in a G11... a two thirds sensor would be more than enough for a camera this size.

Then again I feel that a body format like the S series will make a better match for a sensor of that size and the lenses it will need.

[submannz]

No, Canon are the only digital camera manufacturers in the world who make all the core components for each their digital cameras. This is part of the reason Canon are slower than the rest of the market to release changes. They prove and improve the systems until they meet the high standards, before releasing to the public. Rather than trying to rush and be the first to slap together the next MP rated or optical zoomed camera etc.

Core components being - Lens, CCD/CMOS, image processors

All other manufacturers do as you have mentioned when they use components from other suppliers.

As HBDragon mentioned, the DSLR sensors are quite significantly larger than point and shoot cameras.

As mentioned previous, the ISO is much better with the larger sensors, due to the fact that there are more light sensors picking up the information.

The single biggest issue with image noise created by the sensor is heat. because the point and shoot smaller CCD's have less surface area to disperse heat they are more prone to image noise, more and more noticable with longer exposures.

[GordonSBuck]

No, Canon are the only digital camera manufacturers in the world who make all the core components for each their digital cameras.

My understanding has been that the Canon G9 uses a Sony sensor. Are you saying that the G9 uses a Canon manufactured CCD?

[submannz]

Maybe they have recently changed with the G7 that could explain to me why certain things were left out of the G7 like raw etc as Canon hadn't worked out how to get this information from a different manufacturers CCD. I haven't worked for Canon for a while now so that could be the case.

I stand corrected then, yes they did in 2002 for a while but these sensors were found to be faulty, at this stage it was canon's low end point and shoot not the powershot G series. I have asked my contacts to find out if they still do use other CCD's or now make there own.

Keep you posted.

Yes confirmed that the G9 has sony CCD

[I Simonius]

This is part of the reason Canon are slower than the rest of the market to release changes. They prove and improve the systems until they meet the high standards, before releasing to the public. Rather than trying to rush and be the first to slap together the next MP rated or optical zoomed camera etc.


That's an admirable sentiment but Im not sure it holds up IRL.;)