Is the Sony HD 6.1MPixel Camcorder worth it?

Question

What is the real advantage that a CMOS Carl Zeiss lens used in Sony HD camcorders offers, over the plain Carl Zeiss lens used in the lower, cheaper models? Assuming that I am referring to all 6 Megapixel camcorders that have the same optical zoom as well.

I would like to know, from those who have some knowledge about camera lenses, if the advantages offered are worth the extra price we have to pay for?

Answer 1

CMOS is not a lens designation, rather it is the type of digital imagining chip used in the newer Sony HD camcorders (vs. CCD for some of the lower models). Here's an article regarding the advantage between CMOS and CCD - http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/The-ClearVID-CMOS-Sonys-Chip-of-Choice.htm

Answer 2

These terms go way back in the development of CCD imagers for broadcast television. The CCD was invented by RCA, who also had the trademark for "mos" and "cmos". These terms do not mean anything electronically about the CCD except that the manufacturers got permission to use them when they got their license from RCA to make the CCDs. The original CCD was only available to RCA and its marketing partners Panasonic and Ampex. Ampex traded its license to Sony in order to get Sony's Betacam patents.

When CCD pickups were first used in TV cameras, they did not work well with "standard" TV zoom lenses. That is because the color tracking of older TV lenses did not have to be especially good because inside the camera colors were separated into RGB components with a pick up tube for each. Tubes can have their focus point electrically adjusted which meant the lenses could be made simpler. It is much like the transition to color film which made older BW lenses useless in film cameras. Anyway CCDs have no electrical adjustment for focus, the mechanical focus of the primary lens must be dead on. No one uses tube cameras anymore so all lenses are now made for CCD (or CMOS) purposes.

Carl Zeiss makes good lens designs, and Sony makes good CCD imagers. all the rest is marketing.

Answer 3

yes they are- i am also currently looking to purchase one. i have four to choose from: HDR- SR8 HDR- SR10 HDR- SR11 HDR- SR 12. They the world leaders in HD cams...