Super CCD

Super CCD is a proprietary charge-coupled device that has been developed by Fujifilm since 1999. [cite web | url=http://www.dpreview.com/news/9910/99102003superccd.asp | title=New honeycomb "Super CCD" from FujiFilm | date=October 20 1999 | publisher=DPReview | accessdate=2007-12-17] The Super CCD uses octagonal, rather than rectangular, pixels. This allows a higher horizontal and vertical resolution (at the expense of diagonal resolution) to be achieved than a traditional sensor of an equivalent pixel count.

On January 21, 2003 Fujifilm announced the fourth generation of SuperCCD sensors, in two variations: SuperCCD HR and SuperCCD SR. [cite web | url=http://www.dpreview.com/news/0301/03012202fujisuperccdsr.asp | title=Fujifilm announce SuperCCD SR | date=January 21 2003 | publisher=DPReview | accessdate=2007-12-17] [cite web | url=http://www.dpreview.com/news/0301/03012201fujisuperccdhr.asp | title=Fujifilm announce SuperCCD HR | date=January 21 2003 | publisher=DPReview | accessdate=2007-12-17] HR stands for "High Resolution" and SR stands for "Super dynamic Range". The SR sensor has two photodiodes per photosite, one much larger than the other. Appropriately processing information from both can yield larger black to white range of brightness (dynamic range).

The 4th Generation Super CCD HR has sensors placed at 45 degrees to the horizontal. In order to convert the images into the normal horizontal/vertical pixel orientation, it interpolates one pixel between each pair of sensors, thereby producing 12 recorded megapixels from 6 effective megapixels. By contrast, Fujifilm says that 5th Generation Super CCD HR sensors are also at 45 degrees but do not interpolate. However, it omits to explain how the sensors turn the image into horizontal/vertical pixels without interpolating.

On July 29, 2005 Fujifilm announced cameras with "5th Generation Super CCD HR sensors", the FinePix S5200 (S5600) and FinePix S9000 (S9500).

The FinePix F10 and F11 were released later in 2005, and in a test at dpreview.com, the F10 clearly outperformed the S9000 at 400 ISO.

In 2006 Fuji introduced the 6th generation of the Super CCD sensor (size 1/1.7", 6.3 million effective pixels, except for the F40fd which has size 1/1.6", 8.3 million effective pixels). This sensor allows for acceptable image quality even at ISO 800. It is built into the FinePix S6500fd (2006) bridge camera and the FinePix F-series F30, F20 (2006), F31fd and F40fd (2007) compact cameras, all of which are widely accredited for their class leading low-light capabilities. [cite web | url=http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/ | title=Compact Camera High ISO modes: Separating the facts from the hype | date=May 2007 | publisher=DPReview | accessdate=2008-01-13] [cite web | url=http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2007/06/05/Fujifilm-FinePix-F40fd/p3 | title=Fujifilm FinePix F40fd | date=Jun 2007 | publisher=TrustedReviews | accessdate=2008-08-08]

In late 2007 the 7th generation was introduced (size 1/1.6", 12 million effective pixels). Included in Fuijfilm FinePix F50d (2007). This sensor, although sharp, has significantly decreased ISO performance compared to earlier generations, dropping in quality to mere average level. [cite web | url=http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2007/12/25/Fujifilm-FinePix-F50fd/p3 | title=Fujifilm FinePix F50fd | date=Dec 2007 | publisher=TrustedReviews | accessdate=2008-08-08] In mid 2008 the 8th generation was introduced (same size 1/1.6", 12 million effective pixels), included in Fujifilm FinePix F100d (2008). This sensor improves slightly on the previously lost ISO performance, but does still not seem to compare with the 6th generation sensors.

In September 2008 Fujifilm announced a new type of Super CCD sensor, the Super CCD EXR. [cite web | url=http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08092210fujifilmEXR.asp | title=Fujifilm announces Super CCD EXR | date=Sep 2008 | publisher=dpreview.com | accessdate=2008-09-22] This sensor aims at combining the advantages of the HR and SR sensor types in a single chip. It uses a new color filter array layout that allows for binning (combining) of pixels of the same color.

References