Optical Sensor size ?????

[jdb0822]

which is better, 1/2.3" or 1/2.5" ?

 

[Anewman]

which is better, 1/2.3" or 1/2.5" ?

The one with the smaller denominator equals a larger sensor.

 

[jdb0822]

Ok, I am looking at 2 different Olympus Models, one has a 1/2.3" and the other has a 1/2.5" One is 7mp, the other is an 8mp. So I guess the 1/2.3" would be better for the higher pixels?

 

[tigger795]

Ok, I am looking at 2 different Olympus Models, one has a 1/2.3" and the other has a 1/2.5" One is 7mp, the other is an 8mp. So I guess the 1/2.3" would be better for the higher pixels?

I wouldn't base my decision solely on image sensor size, nor pixel count. I have heard of lower pixel count cameras out-performing higher pixel count cameras(unfortunately, I can't seem to remember an example off the top of my head). Hopefully you have decided that the features on these two cameras fit your needs exactly the same and now just have to decide between the two. Sometimes it comes down to simply how each model feels in your hand. Have you checked out any of the online review sites yet? There is a lot of good info to be had out there to help you make your decision.

BTW: what models are you considering?

Regards,
Randy

 

[jdb0822]

Both by Olympus...

SP-550
SP-560

 

[ukcatfan]

which is better, 1/2.3" or 1/2.5" ?

Both are small. Look for a 1/1.8" or larger to get better performance.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Here's a chart I made up with some relative sensor sizes:

They are fractions, so 1/1.8" is going to be bigger than 1/2.5", just like 1/2 (a half) is bigger than 1/4 (a quarter).

If everything else is equal, you can get a vague ideal of sharpness/noise/quality by comparing megapixels to surface area of the sensor. For example, let's say that a 1/1.8" sensor has 50% more surface area than a 1/2.5" sensor (it's actually a little more, but that makes the math too complicated!) That means that, if everything else is equal, the 1/2.5" sensor with 6mp will have the same sharpness and noise levels as a 1/1.8" sensor with 9mp, 50% more.

Of course, things aren't always equal, but you get the idea. By and large, more megapixels don't mean more quality, and often the opposite. The biggest point-n-shoot sensor is still pretty tiny for the amount of megapixels getting squeezed out of it, which is why they consistently disappoint in low-light shooting.