Almost every modern person faced a difficult situation when choosing a digital camera. How to choose it to get high-quality pictures? What determines the physical quality of the image? Let us try, without delving into the subtleties, to answer these questions. The artistic value of photography in this article will not be considered.
The defining characteristics of a digital camera are the number of megapixels and the size of the camera’s matrix
What are pixels and matrices? The matrix (synonym - sensor) is a rectangular flat element that replaces the film in the old camera and converts the image that got into it through the lens into electrical signals. After digitization, the processor of the device writes this information to the memory card in the form of a file. The matrix contains pixels - the basic elements or points (microscopic photocells-transistors), from which a digital image is formed. Megapixel - a million pixels. Most buyers focus on this particular parameter. It is much cheaper for the manufacturer of a digital device to install a new matrix with an increased number of megapixels in their device and put it into production, rather than rework almost the entire camera device and provide it with a large matrix. Therefore, in the store, the seller draws the attention of the buyer to the parameter reflecting the number of megapixels, and modestly hides the size of the matrix of the camera.
What are the sizes of matrices in cameras of different cost?
The larger the pixel size and (as a result) the matrix, the better the picture. A large pixel size better perceives light and more accurately determines color. The smaller the pixel and matrix, the more noise (noise) in the picture. Therefore, a lot of megapixels does not mean that the image quality will be excellent. The size of the matrix is the parameter that determines the quality of the image and the cost of the device. In the following image, the matrix of the SLR camera is visible. It is cleaned using a special program that is installed in the camera. Touching the matrix with your hands and any objects is absolutely unacceptable. This is a direct path to its failure.
What are the sizes of camera matrices , in which cameras are they installed?
The answer to this question is below.
Camera Matrix Sizes: Table
Format or inches diagonals | Physical size mm | Device example |
| FF (FullFrame), full frame | 36 × 24 | Dear professional cameras. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Leica |
| APS-C | 23.5 × 15.6 | Wide-range DSLRs Nikon, Canon, Sony |
| APS-C | 22.3 × 14.9 | Wide-range DSLRs Canon, Sony, advanced mirrorless |
| 4/3 "or Micro 4/3 | 17.3 × 13.0 | Wide -range mirrorless Panasonic, Olympus |
| 1" | 12.8 × 9.6 | Nikon, Samsung mirrorless and advanced compact cameras |
| 1 / 2,3 " | 6.16 × 4.62 | The vast majority of soap dishes |
| 1/3 " | 4.69 × 3.52 | Smartphone Cameras |
Camera recommendations
If you choose a camera from several devices by the number of megapixels, then it is reasonable to make the final conclusion after finding out what size matrices are installed in them. The choice should be made in favor of the camera in which the largest sensor is installed.
If you want to shoot on a camera with a large matrix, you have to put up with its large size and weight. After analyzing the camera market, it becomes clear that there are still no small and cheap full-frame cameras. And mass mobile photography is very limited by the small size of the matrix.
If you do not intend to take photos professionally, then you should not spend money on an expensive camera with a large sensor. Ordinary digital cheap cameras (modern soapboxes) will cope with this task a little worse than fancy DSLRs and will please you with decent pictures.
Do not forget that the cameras in modern smartphones also have good parameters, which are enough to quickly create a good picture.
In conclusion, we note that many factors influence the production of a high-quality image. The most important of them is the professionalism of the photographer. And the conventional wisdom that a cool camera is the key to beautiful pictures is as far from the truth as the artist’s expensive brush is a guarantee of creating masterpieces. Photographic equipment is just a tool. A man photographs, not a camera. Nevertheless, it is difficult to find a cheap soap dish in the arsenals of famous photographers. The choice is yours.