A question about small CCDs
 

Do smaller CCD cameras have poor exposure latitude performance, as well as poor low light performance?

Re: "...poor exposure latitude performance"

Don't know what that means. Perhaps descibe this differently, so I know what you mean. I'm sure our experts will chime in on this one.

I guess it would be the dynamic range...that is, how much detail the camera can retain in the high lights they turn white (or over expose.)

Yeah. The size of the CCD doesn't have anything to do with it's dynamic range. Infact, I don't know what really determines how good it is with dark and bright areas, but i'm sure it's the quality, not the size... However, it does have affect the depth of field, and the lowlight capabilities.

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/Glossa...c_Range_01.htm

Yes, latitude has to do with the sensitivity of the CCD, not really the size.

Fujifilm is developing into this area, with their current SuperCCD 4th Generation SR. A check on the net will explain how this works.

But for digital video cam, no news as yet.

Yes, all things being equal, dynamic range will be narrower with smaller CCDs.
This is because smaller CCDs have lower storage charge capacity in each pixel, so less electrons can be kept in each pixel.

On the other hand, CCD companies are innovating like crazy, coming with new solutions like one that Yow Cheong mentioned.
Also, new processes are being developed all the time with better pixel storage abilities. So "all things being equal" rarely happens when comparing different size CCDs.

Out of topic here, but Asian names are really tough on Westerners.

Just call me YowCH for short. "Yow" is the family name and "Cheong Hoe" is my own name. Here, when we get formal, it'll be Mr Yow. In Chinese, the family name is placed first.

No offence, though! :-)

YowCH, sorry for the mistake. I should have known this, as I visited Singapore some 3 years ago. Very nice city. In many respects, the best city I've seen in the world. And I've seen many.