Shooting the digital way, The image sensor, Pixels and megapixels – Sony DSC-S650 User Manual

Page 12: Optional conversion lenses and filters, Camera systems, Camera systems color

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21

More megapixels mean finer detail and larger print sizes. Shown here: print sizes for high quality at 200 dots per inch.

(Sample photo for illustration purposes.)

Anything above 300 dpi is photo quality, shown in green. High quality printing, from 200 to 300 dpi is shown in orange.

Printing below 200 dpi will not yield high quality.

480

640

2.4"

3.2"

200
dpi

VGA

1536

2048

7.7"

10.2"

200
dpi

3 MP

1944

2592

9.7"

13.0"

200
dpi

5 MP

2448

3264

12.2"

16.3"

200
dpi

8 MP

2736

3648

13.7"

18.2"

200
dpi

10 MP

3000

4000

15.0"

20.0"

200
dpi

12 MP

3 x 4 Inches

4 x 6 Inches

5 x 7 Inches

8 x 10 Inches

11 x 14 Inches

16 x 20 Inches

20 x 30 Inches

3 MP

512

384

307

205

146

102

77

VGA

160

120

96

64

46

32

24

5 MP

648

486

389

259

185

130

97

8 MP

816

612

490

326

233

163

122

10 MP

912

684

547

365

261

182

137

12 MP

1000

750

600

400

286

200

150

PRINT DPI

PRINT SIZE

KEY:

Ideal picture quality

Good picture quality

Not recommended

The Bayer color filter array permits light of only one

color to fall on each pixel.

Different proportions of Red, Green and Blue can be

added to reproduce any visible hue.

After the lens, light passes from the subject

to an integrated circuit chip called the image

sensor. The sensor occupies the spot where

the film would be on a conventional camera.

Where film converts the incoming light to

chemical changes in the emulsion, the

image sensor converts light first into an

electric charge, then into analog voltage.

Some image sensors also take the next

step, converting the analog voltage into

digital bits.

Pixels and megapixels

While a film image is composed of discrete
chemical grains of irregular size and shape,
a digital image is composed of discrete
squares of color called pixels. The pixels
that form a digital image begin as discrete,
light-sensitive areas on the surface of the
image sensor.

One million pixels is called a “megapixel.”
And it appears that everyone understands
that more megapixels are better. Here’s why.
The more megapixels you have, the bigger
prints you can make at a given image quality.
More megapixels create images ready to
use in printed flyers and brochures. And
higher megapixel counts enable you to crop
the image or use digital zoom – without
sacrificing too much picture detail.

Use the polarizing filter of the Sony VF-30CPKS to control

reflections off water or glass. (Sample photos for

illustration purposes.)

The neutral density filter of the Sony VF-30NK helps control

bright outdoor scenes, for images of more subtlety and

beauty. (Sample photos for illustration purposes.)

The star filter of the Sony VF-30SC lends a dramatic

touch to picture highlights. (Sample photos for

illustration purposes.)

The soft filter of the Sony VF-30SC adds the right touch

of diffusion for romantic portraits, emotional subjects

and atmospheric landscapes. (Sample photos for

illustration purposes.)

Conversion lens adaptors extend the capabilities of

many Sony cameras. So you can shoot wider angles

and longer telephotos as well as take advantage of

polarizing, neutral density, star, and soft filters.

20

The image
sensor

Optional conversion

lenses and filters

Attach optional conversion lenses for
additional focal lengths; attach filters
for stunning special effects.

Selected Sony Cyber-shot

®

cameras enable

you to exceed the zoom range of the built-in
lens, thanks to optional conversion lenses.
Or unleash your creativity with optional filters.
The DSC-W55 accepts the optional VAD-WB
lens adaptor, while the DSC-W200 accepts
the optional VAD-WD lens adaptor. These
adaptors enable you to mount optional
conversion lenses and special effects filters.
The DSC-H7 and H9 feature a 74mm lens
thread that accepts optional conversion
lenses and filters directly.

GREEN

RED

BLUE

MAGENTA

YELLOW

CYAN

CAMERA SYSTEMS

CAMERA SYSTEMS

Color

The pixels of the typical image sensor are

sensitive to all colors of light. Without

outside help, they can only see images in

“black and white.” To capture color, they

require the help of a color filter array. This

is a mosaic of microscopic filters that permit

light of only one color – Red, Green or

Blue – onto each pixel. Red, Green and

Blue are the “additive primary” colors. This

means that different proportions of Red,

Green and Blue can be added to reproduce

any visible hue.

Shooting the digital way

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