Super CCD

Super CCD sensor ( SCCD ) is a light-sensitive chip of the digital camera. It is a continuous development of the CCD sensor from Fujifilm since 2000, which is characterized by a honeycomb arrangement of the cells ( rotation of the CCD cells to 45 degrees). SCCD sensors can differ in the types of HR and SR, where SR SCCD has a higher dynamic range.

Sensor Technology

The selected 45-degree arrangement results in a smaller distance between the sensor elements in the horizontal and vertical directions. By the octagonal shape of the pixel, the light-sensitive surface has been increased. This results in both a significantly higher sensitivity and improved imaging quality of picture elements that are placed horizontally or vertically in the motif.

By interpolation, the image signals of the Super CCD sensor are converted back into the rectangular format of the image file, thereby arise depending on the variant of the sensor constructed 30 to 50 percent more pixels than would correspond to the physical resolution of the Super CCD. In addition, we achieved a very high light sensitivity, image noise without deteriorating at higher sensitivities as high as with conventional CCD sensors.

Also suitable for many variants of this sensor category microlenses are used, which also increases the luminous efficiency and reduces noise.

Dynamic extension

Newer SCCD sensors ( SCCD SR called ) have a photosensitive element with high sensitivity (large light-sensitive surface, S- pixels) and a less sensitive ( small area, R- pixels) that can handle higher light intensities for each pixel. This is characterized when recording on a second, underexposed image, which is charged with the first. Thus, the dynamic range ( latitude ) is extended.

Since 2008, Fuji made ​​the Super CCD EXR sensor, which by a different arrangement of the Bayer matrix ( color filter ) the optional pairs interconnection of neighboring " same color " sensor pixels possible and thus reduce noise depending on the control, optimize the resolution or extend the usable dynamic range can.

Color version

The color information is as with most digital cameras recorded the SCCD sensor with a Bayer matrix of color filters.

Resolution review

From the operation difficulty arises in comparing the effective resolution with CCD or CMOS cameras; Fuji indicates a sensor resolution of 2.4 megapixels and an image resolution of 4.3 megapixels, for example, the FinePix 4700 Zoom. The practical value of increasing the resolution is therefore controversial; Experience has shown that one can expect a quality image that is in the range of conventional cameras between the actual and interpolated resolution, in the case of Finepix 4700 Zoom or about the level of a 3- megapixel camera.

Photosensitivity

The development of the sensor focuses primarily due to higher light sensitivity. Cameras the Finepix series are also able to deliver lower noise images at high ISO settings than the same size conventional CCD chips (as of January 2007: ISO 3200). But even they can not get to the performance of larger CMOS sensors in the current, more expensive SLRs.