camcorder optical sensor size
For a camcorder, when it says “1.37 Mpix”, is that for the photo-taking part of it, or the video part?
Or does it mean for both? I am looking at the “JVC Everio GZ-HD500″. Is this a good camcorder? Or is it “Fisherprice-quality”.
The specs are: JVC Everio GZ-HD500 – Camcorder – High Definition – widescreen – 1.37 Mpix – optical zoom: 20 x – supported memory: microSD, microSDHC – HDD : 80 GB – flash card – black
Optical Sensor Type:CMOS
Optical Sensor Size:1/5.8″
Maximum Focal Length:60 mm
Minimum Focal Length:3 mm
Display:LCD display – TFT active matrix – 2.7″ – color
Additional features: Dolby Digital AC-3 (2 channel) recording, Face Detection Self-timer, Motion Detection Technology, USB 2.0 compatibility, YouTube capture mode, auto power save, automatic display brightness adjustment, backlight compensation, date/time stamp, face detection, interval shooting mode
Thank you very much!!! 
:)
Probably both.
1.37 is probably the pixel count of the sensor, or 1.3 megapixels. This is common to use a chip that isn’t full HD and simply upconvert to 1080i or 1080p. I’ve looked at all the brands of HD camcorders that are under 1500 bucks, and regardless of brand, none of them use a true full HD image sensor which is 1080×1920 or 2 million pixels.
Sometimes with sensors like this, the maker will claim 3 or 5 megapixel stills, but those are just 1.3MP images that are up resed to a higher number. I can’t speak to the quality of the camcorder, I don’t own it, but 1.3 million pixels is fine for any video. 720p HD if it’s 1280×720 isn’t even 1 million pixels and good 720p looks really nice, so that’s not the issue. 1.3 MP for stills is a bit low, so I’d carry a separate camera for that purpose.
Sony HVR-Z1U Camera Camcorder HVRZ1U HVR Z1U
Write a comment: