CCD size describes the sensor’s physical imaging area—not its megapixel count. To understand a specification, separate four measures: active width and height, diagonal, pixel pitch, and active pixel count. A format label such as APS-H or “1/2.3-inch” is shorthand, not a precise measurement of the sensor’s active dimensions.
What does CCD size mean?
A CCD (charge-coupled device) is an image sensor that converts incoming light into an electronic image. In a camera specification, “size” usually refers to the physical area that records the image, but manufacturers may express it as width and height, diagonal, or a format category. Check which measure is being quoted rather than treating these terms as interchangeable.
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- Active image area: the light-sensitive width and height, usually given in millimetres.
- Active diagonal: the diagonal across that rectangle, also given in millimetres. It does not, by itself, reveal the sensor’s aspect ratio.
- Pixel pitch: the width and height of an individual pixel, typically given in micrometres (µm).
- Active pixel count: the number of pixels across and down; multiplied together, these give the total active pixels.
Optical-format labels and named formats are useful categories, but they do not replace active dimensions. For example, onsemi’s KAF-16801 datasheet gives a 36.88 × 36.88 mm active image area and a 52.1 mm diagonal, then separately identifies the device as “645 1.3x Optical Format.” Kodak’s technical paper explains optical-format conventions and how format relates to sensor area. Kodak’s CCD optical-format paper.
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Is CCD size the same as megapixels?
No. Sensor area and pixel count measure different things. A sensor can have more pixels while occupying less physical area, because its pixels may be smaller or arranged in a different shape. Pixel pitch is a third, distinct specification: it describes the size of each pixel, not the total number of pixels or the sensor’s overall dimensions.
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Two onsemi CCDs make the distinction clear. The KAF-16801 has 4096 × 4096 active pixels, while the KAI-16050 has 4896 × 3264. The KAI-16050 therefore has more active pixels overall, yet its active area is smaller. These are manufacturer specifications from their respective datasheets, not general rules about CCDs.
| CCD | Architecture or format label | Active pixels | Pixel pitch | Active image area | Diagonal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| onsemi KAF-16801 | “645 1.3x Optical Format” | 4096 × 4096 | 9.0 × 9.0 µm | 36.88 × 36.88 mm | 52.1 mm |
| onsemi KAI-16050 | APS-H | 4896 × 3264 | 5.5 × 5.5 µm | 26.93 × 17.95 mm |
Figures are from the onsemi KAF-16801 datasheet (2017) and the onsemi KAI-16050 datasheet (2015). The KAI-16050 datasheet figures cited here do not include a diagonal, so its width and height are the more useful dimensions for comparing its area and aspect ratio.
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What does a “1/2.3-inch” sensor label mean?
A fractional-inch type label is a nominal optical-format convention, not a literal measurement of the sensor’s active width, height, or diagonal. Do not convert the fraction directly into a millimetre dimension. For an exact comparison, look for the active width and height in the manufacturer’s datasheet; use the diagonal as a supplementary measure, not a substitute for both dimensions. Kodak’s technical explanation of CCD optical formats discusses the distinction between format conventions and active sensor area.
How does CCD size affect framing?
With the same lens focal length and camera position, a larger active area records a wider portion of the image projected by the lens than a smaller area does. The actual result also depends on the lens’s usable image circle, the sensor’s aspect ratio, and the optical design of the camera system. A format comparison is most meaningful when those conditions are understood.
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Does a larger CCD produce better image quality?
Not by itself. Physical area is one factor, but pixel pitch, pixel count, sensor architecture, lens and optical design, and the imaging task also matter. Kodak discusses the trade-offs between optical format and shrinking pixel size; fitting more pixels into a limited area changes pixel dimensions, so resolution alone cannot establish image quality. A larger sensor may change framing and design options, but it does not guarantee a better image for every application.
How to compare CCD sizes in a datasheet
- Find active width and height. Record both in millimetres. These give the physical imaging dimensions and aspect ratio.
- Note the diagonal. Use it as a convenient format comparison, while remembering that equal diagonals do not necessarily mean equal aspect ratios.
- Record the format label separately. Preserve the manufacturer’s wording, but do not treat a category such as APS-H or an optical-format type as an exact dimension.
- Check pixel pitch and active pixel count. Record pitch in micrometres and resolution as horizontal × vertical pixels. Neither is a substitute for sensor area.
- Consider architecture and application. The datasheet’s description and intended use help determine which characteristics matter for the camera system.
Are CCD sensors still used?
CCD technology remains relevant in specialized imaging, including astronomy and space imaging. Teledyne describes CCD sensor products and ground astronomy camera systems using CCD and EMCCD sensors. Teledyne’s CCD sensor information.
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CCD is no longer the sole or default sensor technology across camera products. Sony Semiconductor Solutions says its business made a major shift from CCD to CMOS image sensors in 2004. That is Sony’s account of its own corporate history; it does not establish that all CCD production ended or quantify the current CCD market. Sony Semiconductor Solutions’ “Common Technology of Image Sensors”.
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