Image sensor

Image sensor: the chip that turns light into an image; its size affects quality.

Terms on the same topic

3D DNR3D DNR: digital noise reduction; a cleaner image in low light.
ApertureAperture (F): how much light the lens lets through; a small number lets in more light.
BLCBLC: brightens a dark subject against backlight, e.g. a person standing in a doorway.
ColorVuColorVu: colour images even in total darkness, using a constant light source.
Colour technologyColour technology: the approach to colour images in low light (ColorVu, Starlight).
Day/night modeDay/night mode: the camera switches to night vision automatically in low light.
DefogDefog: reduces the effect of fog and haze, improving the view in bad weather.
DWDRDigital WDR: balances bright and dark areas in software, a lighter form of WDR.
EISEIS: electronic image stabilisation; reduces shake from vibration.
Field of viewField of view: how wide an area the camera covers in one frame.
FPSFrames per second: the higher it is, the smoother the motion in the video.
Frame rateFrames per second (fps): the higher it is, the smoother the motion in the video.
HLCHLC: masks very bright sources, e.g. car headlights, so the rest stays visible.
IRInfrared illumination: night vision in the dark with light invisible to the eye.
IR rangeIR range (m): how many metres the infrared light reaches in the dark.
LuxLux: the unit of illumination; the lower it is, the darker the scene the camera can see.
Maximum resolutionMaximum resolution: the largest image size the camera produces.
MegapixelsResolution in megapixels: more pixels, more detail in the image.
Minimum illuminationMinimum illumination (lux): the lowest light at which the camera still sees.
ResolutionResolution: the number of pixels in the image; more pixels mean more detail.
ROIROI: region of interest; the chosen area is recorded in high quality, the rest in lower.
Smart IRSmart IR: automatically adjusts the infrared light so nearby objects are not overexposed.
StarlightStarlight: a high-sensitivity sensor for colour images in low light.
WDRWide dynamic range: balances very bright and dark areas in one frame.
WDR dBWDR strength in decibels; the higher it is, the better it balances contrast.