Why CMOS for CX1 and Sample Shots

(A link to the sample shot pages is at the end of this post)

Ricoh’s CX1 is not a serious compact. But it features some really exciting serious functions which tickle many photographers’ fancy. But the CX1 uses a CMOS sensor instead of a CCD. What are the possible reasons?

Over the course of development of digital imaging sensors, the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) had had an advantage over the CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) sensor in terms of image quality. When Sony’s DSC-R1 saw the light of the market in 2005, both technologies fared much closer in IQ as far as sensors of larger sizes are concerned. The R1 is powered by a CMOS sensor. But in the small sensor battlefield, the CCD still did a better job in reproducing images then. But owing to the cheaper cost of CMOS, we have seen most mobile phone manufacturers using CMOS for the built-in camera function. On the other hand, the production of significant small sensor cameras with a CMOS has been few and far between because of the IQ issue.

So, if Ricoh chose CMOS for the CX1, it may mean that CMOS sensors perform comparably with the CCDs even in the small sensor arena and at a lower price. Ricoh’s touting of the high IQ delivered by CX1 gives some credence in this guess.

Provided that this is correct, Ricoh’s choice of the CMOS gives CX1 other advantages, which include lower power consumption and a higher transfer speed.

For power consumption, take Sony’s R1 for example, its engineer revealed that its CMOS senor had a power consumption of 200mW while a CCD of the same size consumed 10 times more power to 2W. We will probably see the CX1 with a good power efficiency with the DB-70 battery.

As regards the transfer speed, the CMOS in R1 affords 4-channel transfer of data for 10mp images but, in comparison, the CCD in Fujifilm FinePix S5pro retains a slower design with 1-channel transfer of data for 6mp images on account of reduced IQ otherwise. It is no wonder than CX1 can do 4fps at the maximum pixel size in continuous mode, in comparison with the 3.5fps by LX3 and 0.7fps by G10. The higher transfer speed may also be a factor enabling the CX1 to achieve a wider dynamic range in images by taking shots of the same scene with different exposure preferences.

If the advanced features of CX1 claimed by Ricoh, like higher dynamic range shots and multi-pattern white balance, do as good in real life as on paper, this is a something which tickles the fancy of many, not least because it also boasts a sensor with a fewer pixel count and a lens with a useful 28-200mm focal length. For those who wish to steal a peek on the sample shots by CX1, go here. (Samples are at reduced size and, regrettably, at ISO 100)

(Various sources for reference including Japan’s DIGITAL CAMERA)

Major Specifications

Effective Pixels: Approximately 9.29 million pixels Image Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS (total pixels: approx. 10.29 million pixels) Focal length: f=4.95-35.4 mm (equivalent to 28-200 mm) F-aperture: F3.3 (Wide) - F5.2 (Telephoto) Focus Mode: Multi AF (contrast AF method) / Spot AF (contrast AF method) / Multi-Target AF / Manual Focus / Fixed Focus (Snap) / Infinity (AF auxiliary light) Shutter Speed: 8, 4, 2, 1 - 1/2000 sec. Continuous Shooting: approx. 4 frames/sec. (F3456, F3:2, F1:1 shooting time; shooting speed after 60 pictures is approx. 3 frames/sec.) Exposure Metering Mode: Multi (256 segments), Center Weighted Light Metering, Spot Manual Exposure Compensation: +/-2.0EV (1/3EV Steps), Auto Bracket Function (-0.5EV, ±0, +0.5EV) Flash compensation: +/-2.0EV (1/3EV Steps) Monitor: 3.0-inch Transparent LCD (approx. 920,000 dots) Weight: Approx. 180 g (excluding battery, SD memory card, strap), Accessories approx. 23 g (battery, strap)