Are 3x1" CCDs equivalent to a 35mm Sensor?

F

filmguy123

Veteran
Ok, So from this chart (bottom of page):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge-coupled_device

we can see the relative sizes in MM and the total area of these different sensors. If the goal is for digital to achieve the same image sensor size as 35mm, one 1" chip is a ways off.

But 3 of the 1" CCDs at 12.8 by 9.6... that would be total 36x24, right?

Does this make a 3x1" CCD camera equivalent in sensor size to a 35mm? Why or why not?
 
At its most basic, a 3-CCD camera uses a prism to break up light into its three primary colors, and then sends each color to be recorded by a separate CCD.

Now, there is pixel-shifting methodology which allows the CCDs to work together to increase resolution, but if you're asking if the 3 CCDs somehow combine to create one big sensor area, that's not really how it works.
 
Most of those figures don't really apply. For one, the CCD sizes are based on 4:3 sensors, and the 35mm size quoted is 35mm still film, not motion picture film, which is a different ratio and much smaller.

For comparative purposes, a 1 1/3" 16:9 CCD would roughly be the size of 35mm motion picture film. The RED camera has a bayer pattern CMOS sensor the size and shape of Super 35mm film.

And, no, in a 3 CCD system, you do not add the size of the CCD's to get the film equivilent. Whatever the size of a single CCD, that's what you go by.

The DVX/HVX and all 1/3" CCD cams are basically the equiv of 8mm film in size, shape, and depth of field.
 
A lot of the reason to go with a 35mm-sized sensor is of course to replicate the field of view of 35mm film, which would then give you 35mm depth of field. using smaller sensors (even three of them) will not give you that same field of view, thus defeating the goal. You'd need three 35mm-sized sensors to match the FOV and DOF of 35mm film, if you wanted to do it with a three-chip system.
 
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