Super CCD

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Layout of sensors on Super CCD matrices.
Layout of sensors on Super CCD matrices.

Super CCD is a proprietary charge-coupled device that has been developed by Fujifilm since 1999.[1] The Super CCD uses octagonal, rather than rectangular, pixels. This allows a higher horizontal and vertical resolution (at the expense of diagonal resolution) to be achieved than a traditional sensor of an equivalent pixel count.

On January 21, 2003 Fujifilm announced the fourth generation of SuperCCD sensors, in two variations: SuperCCD HR and SuperCCD SR.[2][3] HR stands for "High Resolution" and SR stands for "Super dynamic Range". The SR sensor has two photodiodes per photosite, one much larger than the other. Appropriately processing information from both can yield larger black to white range of brightness (dynamic range).

The 4th Generation Super CCD HR has sensors placed at 45 degrees to the horizontal. In order to convert the images into the normal horizontal/vertical pixel orientation, it interpolates one pixel between each pair of sensors, thereby producing 12 recorded megapixels from 6 effective megapixels. By contrast, Fujifilm says that 5th Generation Super CCD HR sensors are also at 45 degrees but do not interpolate. However, it omits to explain how the sensors turn the image into horizontal/vertical pixels without interpolating.

On July 29, 2005 Fujifilm announced cameras with "5th Generation Super CCD HR sensors", the FinePix S5200 (S5600) and FinePix S9000 (S9500).

The FinePix F10 and F11 were released later in 2005, and in a test at dpreview.com, the F10 clearly outperformed the S9000 at 400 ISO.

In 2006 Fuji introduced the 6th generation of the Super CCD sensor (size 1/1.7", 6.3 million effective pixels). This sensor allows for acceptable image quality even at ISO 800. It is built into the FinePix S6500fd (2006) bridge camera, FinePix F30 (2006) and FinePix F31fd (2007) compact cameras, both of which are widely accredited for their class leading low-light capabilities.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ New honeycomb "Super CCD" from FujiFilm. DPReview (October 20, 1999). Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
  2. ^ Fujifilm announce SuperCCD SR. DPReview (January 21, 2003). Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
  3. ^ Fujifilm announce SuperCCD HR. DPReview (January 21, 2003). Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
  4. ^ Compact Camera High ISO modes: Separating the facts from the hype. DPReview (May 2007). Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
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