Why have extra pixel on a camcorder?

Question

I'm trying to decide on a Sony DVD camcorder. One has 370K pixels and the 670K. If standard def is around 720x480 that is 345K pixels. Why should I get the 670K?

I don't care about stills since I carry my 10MP camera. Image stabilization is not too much of a concern. Thanks.

I was thinking of the DVD108 or the DVD308.

The DVD108 has 680K gross and 340K effective.
The DVD308 has 1070K gross and 670K effective.

From the two answers I think all I need is the DVD108.

Answer 1

From what I understand you only need enough pixels for standard def (720x480). For video purposes, anymore than that won't give you a better or sharper image.

Camcorders pack in more pixels for still images. More is better for this cause and will give you sharper still images. Since you have a nice camera, you won't need to worry about the number of pixels on the camcorder you are buying.

Good luck!

Answer 2

sounds like you are talking the Sony DVD108.

because it is a single CCD imager, not all the CCD elements correspond to pixels. CCD of any kind responds only to luminence, however it needs to deliver COLOR pixels. In a single CCD imager, stripe filters are used so that some of the CCD elements only see Red light, others see Blue light. The gross count of 680k gets reduced becase it takes several CCD elements to create each full color pixel.

in a 3CCD design it is possible to assign one CCD on each color array to a particular pixel, although this is not usually done either because of the way digital video is encoded.

trust me, you really want a camera with a gross ccd element count of at least 680k. 340k for bulk luminence, 170k red and 170k blue. (red and blue information is shared between pixels)