The Curious Case of the 1/2.9" Sensor

[rc444]

Hi everyone,

I've noticed that some of Sony's cameras feature a 1/2.9" sensor, for example, the HVR-HD1000 and the HDRHC9.

Don't get me wrong here, but in Sony Speak, is a 1/2.9" inch sensor an actual true broadcast 1/2 inch sensor, or... is this simply put, a smaller version of a 1/3 inch sensor?

Thanks
David

 

[naavt]

Nope.
It's only a an infinitesimally larger surface area compared to a 1/3 sensor and not really one that you can see with your bare naked eye.
Take into account that what Sony did with those sensors was boosting the number of pixels on (practically), the same surface area than a 1/3. This means that those pixels had to shrink and smaller pixels mean a reduced ability to collect light!
Hence the poor low light performance from those Sony sensors.