Prosumer Camera With a DSLR-Size-Quality CCD !!!..

[DougYoung]

The following are the largest sensor sizes I could find.

*Canon G5
*Casio EX-P600
*Nikon Coolpix 5400
*Olympus C5060
*Pentax Optio 555
*Sony DSC-W1

**Fuji S7000

***Canon Pro 1
***Konica Minolta A2
***Leica Digilux 2
***Nikon Coolpix 5700
***Nikon Coolpix 8700
***Olympus C8080
***Panasonic DMC-LC1
***Sony DSC-F828


* (7.18mm x 5.32mm) This is a common sensor size in a number of other high resolution compacts not listed here.
**(Fuji S7000) Almost the same sensor size as * above

*** (8.80mm x 6.60mm) This is the largest sensor size I can find in any current camera with a fixed zoom lens.
With the exception of the Nikon 5700, Panasonic LC1 and Leica Digilux 2 cameras, this seems to be the domain of the 8MP ?Compact?
As I understand it, more photo sites on a sensor equates to a smaller overall surface area on the 8MP sensors, this would suggest low light performance of those three 5MP cameras might be better, you will have to check if that theory holds any water yourself.

Also note that the Canon G5 has an F2.0-3.0 Lens and the Leica lens on the Panasonic LC1 and Leica Digilux are F2.0-2.4, which may also make a bit of a difference.

[PaulSharpe]

I think all of the 8mp sensors are the same... Sony manufacture. The differences are optical, supporting electronics and ergos.

[Jonathan_Wienke]

[ QUOTE ]
Hmmmm. Let's see, one of my earliest point-and-shoots was a full-frame Olympus 35RC from the 1970's. Then a full-frame 35mm Minox. And a full-frame Olympus XA. And a Contax. All were smaller than my Canon G3 digi, all were full frame and all had f2.8 or faster lenses. Did I mention they were full frame? A small quality digicam can be done; I'd buy it but don't know who elese would.

[/ QUOTE ]
And what was the aperture of their lenses? I bet it wasn't anywhere close to the f/2 offered on some of the digicams. Larger sensors will always require larger lenses unless you compromise aperture or focal length or both. It's simple physics.

[Tony_Collins]

F2.8 on the tiny XA or even tinier Stylus ( mju2 here in UK ) is faster than many digicams and faster than all kit and even some L lenses so I would have thought that a 1.6 crop sensor at least would be very possible. I think the reason that manufacturers stick to tiny sensors for consumers is that the deep depth of field means no more out of focus pics of Auntie Doris. There isn't a big enough market for a P&S with good bokeh!!

[Tony_Collins]

Who remembers digital film? Wasn't someone going to develop a sensor attached to a film cannister sized blob that would fit inside any camera and convert it to digital. P&S, Zorki, whatever. The conspiracy theorists will say that the plans are in a locked safe at Canon HQ. (Like Exxon/Esso has the formula for making petrol out of water.

[Phil_Aynsley]

I recently had the opportunity to pass my request for such a camera onto the hierarchy at Canon Oz, who in turn took it to Japan (who in turn may well have thrown it in the bin - who knows) at a big sales conference a month or so ago.

My request was for a modern, digital version of the old AF 35ML (which had a 40 f1.9), crossed with a Leica M series. Light weight but solid, smallish, fixed focal length 'r/f' body with a 'pro' CMOS sensor (from the 10D?) that could produce at least as good a result as the 10D. Ideally it would have the next generation on from the 10D sensor (whatever it is) but I thought using the 10D/300D one might be more cost effective.

Other suggested requirements included:

fast (f1.4 / 2.0), fixed focal length (between 35-50, 35mm equivalent) lens
5 to 6 Megapixels
excellent high ISO performance
fast start up/response times
high quality, 100% coverage optical v/f
rear screen primarily for review/histogram/menus
speed/buffer to capture 10 RAWs at 2 fps
metal body, black finish available
simple, 'pro' feature set - no need for movie modes etc.

Priced below AUD$1200.00 (approx US$850.00)

My AUD$0.03. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Colin_Banfield]

I was about to start a new thread on the topic of DSLR sensor size in Prosumer cameras when I stumbled across this thread. I have the same question as the original poster. Why doesn't Canon, Nikon etc. put bigger sensors in their top of the line prosumer cameras? There are many instances where I'd prefer to use one of these things instead of a DSLR. The problem is they are incapable of high ISO speed (800, 1600). The sensors don't need to be any bigger than 4/3 or ATS-C and the noise at the higher speeds don't have to be an better (or worse) than current DSLRs. The lack of higher ISO speeds is the biggest show-stopper for me purchasing one of these things.