Do You Really Know How Small Your Camera's Sensor Is? Sensor Size Comparison

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Do you have an idea of really how small your camera's sensor is? When you compare the size of the sensor to the wonderful images it can record it is an amazing feat of technology.  For your information, here is a comparison of some of the most popular sensor sizes and a comparison to some common objects.

The sensor sizes come from published sources such as DPReview.  The red blocks are approximate, as close as I could measure them and cut them.  Additionally, on the topmost example, the Nikon FX sensor is actually 23.9mm X 36mm, in case anyone wants to nitpick.

The Canon APS-C sized sensor is just a tiny bit smaller than the Nikon version.  In real life terms, however, there is no difference in image quality.  The crop factor for Nikon (as well as Pentax, Sony, Samsung and others) is 1.5 while the Canon's is 1.6.  I won't go into what "crop factor" is, but if there is interest, I'll explain it in a future blog.  But, I think everyone is pretty familiar with the term.

Additionally, there are other sized small sensors that are out there, but I didn't think I needed to include everyone of them.

When you see how small some of the sensors in in the consumer grade cameras, it seems hard to believe that those tiny sensor can produce wonderful images.  But they do.

It will be interesting to watch the future of sensors to see if a) manufacturers will go with more megapixels (not really needed), b) manufacturers better the sensors as far as their ability to record a greater dynamic range as well as less electronic noise when using high ISOs, and c) where the trend of sensor size goes.  Will there be a gravitation toward larger sensors and the smaller ones are less frequently used or will the trend be to gravitate to middle-sized sensors, with fewer full frame and fewer small sensors being used in new cameras.  I guess it depends solely upon the market and if individuals are happy with image quality.


Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis A. Mook

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