Sensor size

[awojtas]

I wanted to work out the size of the X10i's camera sensor. I believe it is very small and is not actually 8mp.

We can't know exactly how many megapixels it is for real, but the sensor size is a very good indicator of sensitivity and image quality.

So. What we do know:
- Focal length: 4.7mm
- Aperture: f2.8

What we need to know:
- Diagonal sensor size.
- 35mm equivalent ratio

I compared the image framing with my Canon APS-C SLR. The closest I can match is around 21mm focal length (34mm equivalent). It's harder because the X10i is 4:3 not 3:2.

The sensor size is 35mm/4.7mm = 7.446 x smaller than a 35mm sensor.
A 35mm sensor is 36mm x 24mm with a 43.266mm diameter.
Divide by 7.446 to get the X10i's sensor.

X10i sensor: 5.81mm diameter (0.229").

To find the closest match I refer to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_sensor_format#Table_of_sensor_sizes

Leading us to:
About 1/3.2" sensor.

Googling for similar sensors, you can find for example Micron make a 5mp sensor that matches the same characteristics as our X10i, i.e. 15fps preview and 30fps video:
www.aptina.com/assets/downloadDocument.do?id=178

A normal compact camera is about 1/2.3", a premium compact camera is around 1/1.7" and a DSLR is about 1.05".

So the X10i has a small sensor, a poor quality (no Carl Zeiss here) and is trying to make 8megapixels. No wonder it struggles sometimes!

 

[awojtas]

Doing more Googling, it's possible the sensor is the ISX006 made by Sony here:
http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/cx_news/vol59/np_isx005_006.html

- 5mp
- "Exmor"
- 720p video (actually, 1080p! but snapdragon may not cope...)

 

[Timbits93]

I'm pretty sure that the X10 doesn't utilize that sensor due to the fact that it doesn't specify the sensor to be an Exmor sensor [2011 Xperia models express it though]

 

[Hikaru Kaze]

I'm pretty sure that the X10 doesn't utilize that sensor due to the fact that it doesn't specify the sensor to be an Exmor sensor [2011 Xperia models express it though]

Exmor is different from Exmor R..
Exmor R is back-illuminated CMOS sensor.. it's used for better capturing lowlight images as the sensor receive more light with back-illuminated design.

while Exmor is fast speed CMOS sensor, for capturing image at faster speed, lower noise and low power dissipation..

check Exmor here: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/technology/technology/theme/cmos_01.html

check Exmor R here: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/technology/technology/theme/exmor_r_01.html