Posted on 02/19/2003 11:25:38 AM PST by Bush2000
Fuji surpasses 6 megapixels
By Sandeep Junnarkar
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
February 19, 2003, 10:01 AM PT
update Fuji Photo Film on Wednesday unveiled two high-resolution digital cameras built around new sensor chips that are designed to capture more precise variations of light and dark. The new Fujifilm FinePix F700 offers a resolution of 6.2 megapixels using Fuji's new proprietary chip called the Super CCD SR, or charge-coupled device with super dynamic range technology. This chip, introduced in January, mixes a regular pixel sensor with a new type modified to capture high-intensity light. Fuji said that as a result, the chip can better capture the spectrum of light and dark elements in an image.
The camera will be available in the spring for $599.
The SR sensor offers 3.1 million so-called large pixels, dubbed "S," with high sensitivity to light, and 3.1 million smaller pixels, called "R," with low sensitivity to light, resulting in a range four times that of previous Super CCDs, according to Fuji.
Many high-end consumer digital cameras hover in the range of 3 megapixels or 4 megapixels.
Fuji also introduced the FinePix F410 which uses a CCD HR (high resolution) sensor chip. This sensor uses 3.1 million effective pixels and can produce high-resolution images with up to 6 million recorded pixels.
The FinePix will be available in April 2003 for about $499.99.
The new camera provides fodder to the raging debate among camera enthusiasts about which technology--CCD or CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductors)--offers better quality. CCD sensors appear in most consumer-level cameras today, but some chipmakers are counting on the smaller size and lower power consumption of CMOS to spur adoption.
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Yeah, but when you hit FIFTEEN MEGAPIXELS, the hidden spirits that we've never been able to see before will start to show up in our photos....;)
Alas, that particular feature is destined to be perpetual vaporware.
Good question, also do they print at that quality level?
I beleive that 6 megapixels meets or exceeds the grain texture of 35 mm. film. Larger film formats (which are generally used by professionals) have a larger digital equivalent, of course.
That said, for 5X7" or smaller prints, 3 megapixels should do the trick. If you want 10X8" prints, a 6 megapixel will do for top quality. If the picture is to be viewed from a few feet or more, a larger 15X10" print at 200 ppi can be made from a 6 meg camera. I've got a nifty chart from Popular Photography and Imaging magazine in front of me. They say that the human eye cannot resolve beyond 300 pixels-per-inch. Note that pixels-per-inch aren't the same as dots-per-inch.
I beleive that Canon has an 11.1 meg camera body, the EOS-1Ds with a 36X24 mm. CMOS light sensing device. It is compatable with all Canon's latest lenses that are used on their 35 mm. cameras. Unfortunately, the camera costs several thousand dollars. Give it 2 years - there will be some inexpensive, fine quality digital bodies that are fully compatible with today's lenses from all major manufacturers. I'm anxious for that time!
Good site! Been lookin' around there myself.
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