CCD vs CMOS?

Andy Davidson wrote:
 >
 > [Earl Misanchuk wrote in rec.photo.moderated]
  > > Can anyone please point me to authoritative information on the differences
  > > between CMOSes and CCDs? Which will give me the better picture, and why?
 >
 > CMOS sensors are less power hungry and cheaper to make. I think CCDs still
 > have better noise performance (i.e. smoother images.)

I think that the equation has changed over the years - most of the
high-end digital cameras (professional) are now using CMOS sensors.
Many astronomers have also switched from CCD to CMOS for their low-noise
characteristics.

-Dave<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: CCD vs CMOS? 

"Andy Davidson" <$andy$@nosignal.org> wrote in message
news:slrncmg445.97o.$andy$@kinda.undone.org.uk...
 > [Earl Misanchuk wrote in rec.photo.moderated]
  >> Can anyone please point me to authoritative information on the
  >> differences
  >> between CMOSes and CCDs? Which will give me the better picture, and why?
 >
 > CMOS sensors are less power hungry and cheaper to make. I think CCDs
 > still
 > have better noise performance (i.e. smoother images.)

Published tests of Nikon D70 (CCD) versus Canon Digital Rebel (CMOS) seem to
indicate the opposite, but I'm not at all sure why. What I had always heard
was the same as what you said, i.e., that CMOS sensors are noisier.

--
Clear skies,

Michael A. Covington
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/astromenu.html" target="_blank">www.covingtoninnovations.com/astromenu.html</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: CCD vs CMOS? 

Kibo informs me that Andy Davidson <$andy$@nosignal.org> stated that:

 >[Earl Misanchuk wrote in rec.photo.moderated]
  >> Can anyone please point me to authoritative information on the differences
  >> between CMOSes and CCDs? Which will give me the better picture, and why?
 >
 >CMOS sensors are less power hungry and cheaper to make. I think CCDs still
 >have better noise performance (i.e. smoother images.)

The really important difference is that CMOS sensors can include
processing cirtuitry on the same chip. This lowers costs, improves
matching & improves thermal tracking. It can also lower noise by
allowing on-chip conditioning circuitry.
As a general rule, dollar-for-dollar, you'll currently get a better
picture from a CMOS sensor than from a CCD sensor.

--
W
. | ,. w , "Some people are alive only because
\|/ \|/ it is illegal to kill them." Perna condita delenda est
---^----^---------------------------------------------------------------<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: CCD vs CMOS?