{"id":1719,"date":"2017-10-13T22:44:19","date_gmt":"2017-10-13T20:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adimec.com\/ccd-vs-cmos-see-smaller-details-with-cmos-cameras\/"},"modified":"2018-07-27T17:14:48","modified_gmt":"2018-07-27T15:14:48","slug":"ccd-vs-cmos-see-smaller-details-with-cmos-cameras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adimec.com\/ja\/ccd-vs-cmos-see-smaller-details-with-cmos-cameras\/","title":{"rendered":"CCD vs CMOS, see smaller details with CMOS cameras"},"content":{"rendered":"

We have talked a lot about improvements in CMOS image sensors in low light imaging capabilities which are particularly helpful in outdoor applications such as long-range observation<\/a>, surveillance<\/a>, and global security. The image sensor parameters relevant to low light are QE (Quantum efficiency), read noise, dark current, uniformity, and MTF (in NIR)<\/a>. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

For all of these parameters, CMOS image sensors can now have better performance than CCD<\/a>.  Many security applications are even able to replace the systems daylight and lowlight cameras with 1 CMOS color uncooled camera.<\/p>\n

As far as blooming and smear is concerned, CMOS has always had the advantage<\/a> with the pixel architecture differences (no shift registers).  Smear is well known as a vertical stripe in the image from very bright spots, but what is not widely known is that smear can also reduce the dynamic range and limit the ability to see details in the image.<\/p>\n

Dynamic range, which is the ratio between the maximum output signal level and the noise floor (noise floor which is the RMS (root mean square) noise level in a black image) is very important for outdoor scenes.  Not only is a low noise floor and uniform dark image crucial for good low light sensitivity, a low smear level is very important for imaging in bright daylight conditions!<\/p>\n

We did a test set-up to investigate the effects of smear comparing CCD and CMOS and show how smear deteriorates your system performance and is more than just a cosmetic artifact.<\/p>\n

Smear is most likely to affect your image quality in two conditions:<\/p>\n