Small sensor?? Compact System Cameras article

[PeterKBurian]

An interesting article today but why does it claim that cameras like the Sony NEX and Lumix G or Olympus PEN series use smaller sensors than DSLRs?

The NEX uses exactly the same size sensor as the Sony Alpha a55 for example.
Lumix G and Olympus PEN use the same size sensor as the Olympus DSLRs and so on

They are not full-frame 24x36mm sensors, of course, but very few DSLRs use a sensor that large either.

I just don't understand that comment in the article 

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi,

Most mirrorless systems use smaller sensors than NEX. NEX is the exception. The article discussess a lot of factors and sensor dimensions is a very small part.

In the balance I'd suggest that the article is good and worth a careful study. Also I'd say that the authors actually know what they are writing about, regarding the readers I'm not so sure.

Best regards
Erik

An interesting article today but why does it claim that cameras like the Sony NEX and Lumix G or Olympus PEN series use smaller sensors than DSLRs?

The NEX uses exactly the same size sensor as the Sony Alpha a55 for example.
Lumix G and Olympus PEN use the same size sensor as the Olympus DSLRs and so on

They are not full-frame 24x36mm sensors, of course, but very few DSLRs use a sensor that large either.

I just don't understand that comment in the article 

[PeterKBurian]

Well, Erik, I think I know .... I am a Contributing Editor with Photo Life, Here's How, Marketnews and Australian Photography.

Yes, the Sony NEX ... and the Samsung NX series ... use the largest sensor in the CSC category, full APS-C size.

And yes, the Olympus Pen and Lumix G use the smaller Four Thirds sensor, although that is the same size as the sensor in an Olympus DSLR.

Cheers!
 
Peter www.peterkburian.com

[deejjjaaaa]

Most mirrorless systems use smaller sensors than NEX. NEX is the exception.

hmmm... let us look at digital interchangeable lens systems only

1) APS-C or bigger = M (Leica, Epson, Ricoh), Sony, Samsung

2) smaller than APS-C = m43 (Panasonic/Olympus) and Q (Pentax)

so NEX is hardly an exception.

[PeterKBurian]

Well not sure where you would find an Epson or Ricoh camera in Canada but perhaps in the U.S. (I am in Canada so am not familiar with them.)

And I stand by my guns: The sensor size in a CSC camera is the same size as it is in a DSLR of the same brand. (With one exception, the Pentax Q system which has been announced but won't be in stores till October.)

Sure, the Four Thirds sensor used in Lumix G and Olympus Pen cameras is smaller than APS-C but it's the same size as used in the Olympus DSLRs and in the now-discontinued Lumix DSLRs.

[douglasf13]

hmmm... let us look at digital interchangeable lens systems only

1) APS-C or bigger = M (Leica, Epson, Ricoh), Sony, Samsung

2) smaller than APS-C = m43 (Panasonic/Olympus) and Q (Pentax)

so NEX is hardly an exception.

You forgot the new Pentax Q.  

Another thing the article fails to take note of is the NEX-7, with 24mp and the fastest shutter lag around.

[AFairley]

The article repeatedly referred to FF DSLRs as its reference point, and made no statement such as the OP suggested.  Personally, I found the article an utter waste of time -- the proof of the pudding is on the print, not in measurbating.

[deejjjaaaa]

You forgot the new Pentax Q.  

if you' look more carefully before hitting the post button you shall see that I did mention it as Q(Pentax).

[deejjjaaaa]

in Canada

what is Canada ? is the place across the bridge near the falls ?

[stamper]

Canada is the place where this site emanates from. You might end up in the falls if Michael reads your post.

[douglasf13]

if you' look more carefully before hitting the post button you shall see that I did mention it as Q(Pentax).

Ugh, I must have been asleep at the wheel. For the record, the emoticons after my post were pointed at the Q, not your post.

[JohnHeerema]

A couple of points that I didn't notice in the article (my apologies to the authors if I just missed them!).

- Diffraction is a function of a physical size of the aperture, so at the same f/ value, a small sensor will have a smaller aperture size, and hence more diffraction.

- And of course, the smaller the frame, the greater the depth of field, which can be a plus or a minus for your particular work.

[stamper]

Most small sensor cameras have apertures limited to f/11 or even f/8 so they aren't capable of small apertures. Depth of field problems means that in a small sensor f/11 is the equivalent to f/18 on a full frame camera with respect to depth of field. I believe that diffraction is related to the lens rather than the sensor?

[Peter_DL]

A couple of points that I didn't notice in the article (my apologies to the authors if I just missed them!).

...

Could be not the only points which the authors have missed.
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=57416.msg464320#msg464320

Maybe, maybe some pioneers of digital photography - from whom we have learned so much – are not really aware of the level of collective expertise a forum like LuLa has built up over the years. Just a thought.

Peter

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