|Introduction | Modeling small pixels | Comparing the SNR of
cameras with different resolutions | Real-life comparisons |
Conclusion| This Insight uses specific DSLRs to demonstrate the
technique for objectively comparing noise for cameras with
different levels of resolution. Such comparisons conclusively
show better results overall for high-resolution sensors, despite
the increase in noise. You like the look and feel of your old
camera, but you want to upgrade it to a higher resolution. If
you keep the same optics, the same sensor size (and therefore
the same field of view), what will be the result? Basically, the
same amount of light captured by the optics will be shared by
more pixels, and since each individual pixel will receive less
light, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) will be lower. In short,
you will end up taking photos with more noise. Two questions
naturally arise: Consider, for example, the Canon EOS 350D, a
model released in February 2005 and a very good camera for
expert amateurs, and the Canon