Panasonic Lumix - CCD sensor Vs CMOS?

[Greybot]

I'm on quite a tight budget and have been looking at the Panasonic Lumix range, as they get good reviews on Amazon and various other websites, and seem a good entry level camera.

I was initially looking at the DMC-Z1 which has a 16.1 CMOS sensor and 10x optical zoom. This model gets very good reviews (it's £92 on Amazon which is a good price) but I read that CCD sensors generally give better quality images? I then looked at the DMC-FS45 which seems to be very similar spec although a 16.1 CCD sensor and 5x optical zoom (priced at £87). Both have a 25mm Leica lens.

Can anybody give any advice please? Which will take the better image? It's confusing because the DMC-Z1 seems to get better reviews, but I've read CCD is better!

Thanks

[Chris Cool]

Hi, you mean the Panasonic DMC-SZ1?

In general the CCD is sharper but uses more power than the CMOS. However, today, they are getting closer to both giving good images in the higher price bracket. What you have to realize is the sensor on these cameras is smaller than a fingernail - around 1/2.3" or approx. 5mm x 6mm - see explanation http://www.digitalversus.com/digital...eras-a790.html
so LIGHT is the commanding factor here. Plenty of good light will give better images.

And don't forget. Post processing is an important part of photography and should be used to sharpen and enhance pictures taken with your camera. If you don't have an imaging editor, then use the one in my signature below. There are 32 video tutorials to get you started http://ictpublish.com/pixlr/ The most useful is the Adjusting levels http://ictpublish.com/pixlr/Videoes/...06_Levels.html and for even more adjustment. The Curves tool http://ictpublish.com/pixlr/Videoes/...07_Curves.html is a must (it's my favourite all-in-one adjuster). My Resize-Crop-Sharpen tutorial below, will get your pics ready for the internet or whatever

Cheers!

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