GET MORE FROM YOUR SENSOR

Learn to extract more detail, colour and overall quality from your digital camera’s main component

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Pictured Complex system

Sensor technology can appear to be steeped in mystery. Simple mistakes in camera work and processing technique can undermine the potential of your images

Modern digital cameras are marvels of imaging technology. Over the past 20 years, there has been a revolution in what sensors are capable of recording, both in terms of light gathering capacity and detail capture. At one time, seemingly not too long ago, 6MP was considered high-resolution, whereas the latest crop of full-frame mirrorless cameras can pack on 60MP with ease. Just as happened with the introduction of high-definition video, however, there are some added difficulties when working with such potential for detail recording.

When HD video became the standard, many television networks found the rendition of detail was so great that every flaw in the lenses used, and indeed in the human subjects, could be easily spotted by the untrained eye. The same is true when shooting with ultra-high pixel counts for still images – the user must be conscious of their camera work to prevent unpredictably conspicuous imperfections.

Not only can high-quality sensors make it difficult to hide less than perfect technique or lens use, but if you have invested heavily in a high-end model, it is inefficient for your business if you aren’t getting the maximum resolution benefit. Over the next few pages, we’ll look at some key techniques for getting as much out of your sensor’s potential as possible. These range from improving the standard of your own camera work to calibrating your system so all items function optimally together.