CMOS technology is equipped with cutting-edge imaging abilities that are useful for several applications. The question is whether it can substitute the more costly sCMOS (Scientific CMOS) sensors.

CMOS and sCMOS sensors have set the yardstick for value and performance in machine vision in different industries. With this article, you will be familiar with the costs and advantages of each technology for demanding imaging applications.

Related: Comparing sCMOS vs qCMOS Sensors

CMOS vs. sCMOS Sensors:

An sCMOS sensor is usually considered a “next-generation” CMOS sensor. The idea behind implementing the sCMOS technology is to reduce the gap between the latest CMOS sensors and obsolete CCD (Charge Coupling Device) sensors through the initial phases of CMOS development. Initially, several applications couldn’t use the CMOS sensors because of the negotiation in frame rates, resolution, dynamic range, and read noise.

During the introduction of sCMOS cameras, they utilized identical fabrication methods and design principles as the CMOS sensors. However, they incorporated various features that assisted them in tackling the early CMOS defects.

Consequently, sCMOS sensors became perfectly suitable for scientific applications where broad dynamic range, low light performance, and high fidelity were significant.

Since the sCMOS cameras were introduced till now, there has been a noteworthy improvement in the conventional CMOS sensors in the context of their competence to decrease their internal noise and high quantum efficiency. Therefore, CMOS cameras have become worthwhile options for lots of cutting-edge applications.

The majority of CMOS cameras are considerably less expensive than sCMOS cameras. Due to this aspect, many researchers and engineers are encouraged to assess the newest CMOS sensor. This assessment is helpful to them when they want to choose a microscopy camera, cytology/cytogenetics camera, pifluorescence camera, or histology camera for their application.

Also Read: Comparing CCD vs CMOS Sensor

Which one to use -a CMOS or an sCMOS Sensor?

The choice among a CMOS or sCMOS sensor relies on various factors. When comparing the two, you probably use the epifluorescence illumination since the white light is vivid enough to not depend on an sCMOS sensor.

The choice between the two simplifies when considering the amount of light approaching the camera or a blend of performance parameters exceptional to a particular application. Irrespective of sCMOS or CMOS, you must prioritize a monochrome sensor over the color equivalent sensor. This is because a monochrome sensor offers high quantum efficiency.

Two essential characteristics of sCMOS sensor include backside illumination and big pixels that help decrease the overall noise. Furthermore, sCMOS cameras typically incorporate a Peltier cooling mechanism to reduce thermal noise over extended exposures.

Those cameras equipped with sCMOS sensors also require a high bandwidth interface like CoaXpress or CameraLink with a frame grabber board, making these vision systems more complicated and, therefore, more expensive.

To counteract this, CMOS manufacturers have brought noteworthy enhancements in quantum efficiency, decreasing read noise and employing backside illumination.

The high quantum efficiency improves the incoming photon gathering ability. The reduced read noise guarantees that even the low levels of incoming photos are not lost in this noise.

Peltier cooling is also an alternative in a few CMOS sensors. But the boost in quantum efficiency and decreased noise has made cooling needless for several biomedical imaging applications.

CMOS sensors have been combined with interfaces like GigE, 10 GigE, and USB3. This is one of the ways to keep costs down. Such interfaces don’t need a frame grabber that decreases the cost and complexity of the system. Forthcoming interfaces like CXPX, USB4, and 25/100GigE will help to solve this problem by offering considerably higher bandwidths.

CMOS Sensors are an Affordable Alternative:

The affordable cost is one of the key factors encouraging many system designers and engineers to consider assessing the cutting-edge CMOS sensors over an sCMOS-based system.

In many instances, vision system designers are stunned to get a relevant CMOS camera for a price below $1,000 when a classic sCMOS setup with similar performance metrics could cost up to $10,000.

Irrespective of CMOS or sCMOS type, several camera manufacturers don’t use a single standard when comparing cameras. Therefore, it cannot be easy to compare cameras irrespective of the sensor type.

In the machine vision domain, EMVA1288 is the accepted standard for specifications and measurement of the cameras in America (AIA – American Automated Imaging Association), Japan (JIIA – Japan Industrial Imaging Association), and Europe.

Summing up, sCMOS cameras may be a requisite for cases requiring high-performance levels. However, it would be worthwhile to recognize the crucial performance metrics for a particular application. Moreover, it is essential to establish an unbiased comparison between CMOS and sCMOS cameras before making a choice.

There is continuous advancement in CMOS sensors. Moreover, the price-to-performance ratio between these two camera types is quickly narrowing. If a conventional CMOS sensor can meet your application requirements, it may be a cost-effective alternative.

When you are opting to shoot your images using a DSLR or phone camera, one of the most critical aspects that you need to focus on is choosing the correct image format. Most cameras or even smartphones make use of either JPG and RAW formats. What if you are a newbie and want to check the differences between the RAW and JPG images? We will also check out the features of NEF files.

What is a JPG file?

As you might have understood, a JPG or JPEG file – pronounced as jay-peg is an image file. In contrast, a few JPG files come with .jpg or .jpeg extensions. However, the difference lies only in the wing; they are the same file formats and do not have any difference.

The JPG files are used quite widely due to the compression algorithm that the file uses. This can be effective in helping you in reducing the size of the file. This can make it a great choice to work with a wide range of application areas, such as sharing, storing, and displaying them on blogs and websites. It may, however, be noticed that the compression also considerably reduces the image’s quality. If the image is compressed to a vast extent, it can be visible in many cases.

The JPG image format is one of the most common formats used in digital cameras. You would find supporting apps on multiple operating systems and on the internet. The JPG images generally employ a compression ratio of 10:1. Which will ensure that you will not lose any significant details. The degree of compression in the JPG files is much adjustable. The JPG images can be an excellent choice for photographs and realistic illustrations. They can also be a great option for the basic editing pursuits.

JPG files are also known to be a universal image format. The image format is identified and recognized by almost all internet browsers. It is the raster image format, and you would find it not the right one to use with the text.

The JPG files are pretty flexible. The invasive compression is what would make it a little disturbing. It is a great choice to help you with the best printing solution.

What is a RAW file?

RAW files are yet another image format captured on digital cameras. These image formats are known to provide lossless image quality, ideal for post-processing. The image format is used for capturing the image with all the details captured by your camera. The format saves your pictures in an unprocessed and uncompressed format.

Any image with the image sensor can shoot a picture in RAW. It can either be through the camera sensor or a host of image scanners. The RAW format takes the details from the sensor and produces a file with no processing whatsoever. The RAW files offer you a 14-bit color channel. That would mean the info on the image is sorted in much greater detail.

Unlike the JPG files, which most programs and software tools can open, you would be able to open them only with a few specialized software tools. When an image is shot on a digital camera, it is in the form of raw data. If the default format is set to JPEG, the raw data is processed, and the file is saved as a JPG or JPEG image.

If you set the image format to RAW, no processing is applied, so the file is saved with more tonal and color data. The RAW form is the one that is digitally tied and decided by a camera model.

A RAW image file typically consists of three essential components – the actual RAW data from the image sensor, a camera-processed full-size JPEG preview + thumbnail, and all relevant header and metadata information. One of the primary advantages you stand to gain with the RAW images as opposed to the JPG images is that the RAW file comes with a more comprehensive dynamic range and color gamut options.

What is a NEF file?

A NEF file is a RAW file created by Nikon cameras. In essence, a NEF file is a Nikon RAW file. It refers to the Nikon Electronic Format. This file format is solely used for and by the Nikon cameras. If you want to use software to open a NEF file, you can do it only with a tool compatible with the Nikon cameras.

Like a RAW file, the NEF file also captures all the data associated with your image. It takes into account all the data that your camera captures. It retains all the information in the picture captured by the camera. The details include the metadata in the camera and the lens model.

NEF is a lossless format, and you would find it one of the excellent options that you would find quite impressive. It can be a perfect option to help you get the best results from your Nikon camera. The NEF files are based on the TIFF format. They support 12-bit or 14-bit data, largely depending on the camera model that took the image. The NEF files store all the data related to the image and the camera it was shot on. This would include the details such as the settings like white balance, hue, tone, and sharpening.

How do RAW, JPG, and NEF file formats differ?

In a way, both RAW and NEF file formats belong to the same category. The only difference being the RAW format is a generalized format, and NEF is a specific RAW format used by the Nikon cameras. So, we will undertake the differences and details of a RAW vs. JPG format in finer detail.

RAW Format

The Advantages

• It offers you more shadows of color
• You can get a more comprehensive dynamic range and color gamut
• An option for more refined control and adjustment options
• You can adjust color space even after the image capture
• It can be used to convert to other RAW formats
• It provides you with a better degree of performance in ownership and authenticity.

The Disadvantages

• It needs to go through the post-processing
  
• It would require more storage
  
• Issues with sharing
  
• It can also need more file management options
  
• Backups will take longer
  

JPG Format

The Advantages

• It is also already processed, so it does not need further processing
• A smaller size
• No issues with the camera slowing down
• It offers you multiple choices for compression
• Faster backup capability

The Disadvantages

• A lossy compression
• It is just an 8-bit format
• Recovery options are pretty limited
• Camera settings can impact the image quality

Should you go with JPG or RAW image format?

The advantages of shooting RAW images can be a great option over using JPG. Since storage has gone relatively cheap these days, the storage issues that we once faced with the RAW images should not be a concern now.

In case you have been shooting a massive list of images and tend to get a poorly exposed photo, JPG can be the wrong choice. With a JPG, you will not have much to edit the idea to make it usable. On the contrary, shooting a photo in RAW will help you edit it much to your needs if you have rare and memorable moments to shoot. Doing so with the RAW format would be a great option. That way, you would always have an opportunity to improve your image even when it was shot with lousy exposure or other issues.

In Conclusion

That was a complete review of the differences between the NEF, JPG, and RAW images. Of course, each has its advantages, and it is always a good idea to check for the best benefits each image format offers. We would find each of them offering you one of excellent option in the long run.

In this post, we are comparing Samsung’s ISOCELL Plus vs EXMOR-RS CMOS sensor by Sony semiconductor. Both imaging sensors are built for entirely different camera form factors. The Sony sensors are for their flagship range of mirrorless cameras, whereas ISOCELL+ is for smartphones.

ISOCELL Plus and EXMOR-RS CMOS sensors improve image quality in the latest camera models. Let’s go through the details of each of them:

ISOCELL Plus sensor:

The latest ISOCELL Plus sensor technology from Samsung powers the top-notch cameras seen on the brand’s flagship devices. Samsung tackled the engineering challenges of smartphone cameras and built the ISOCELL Plus technology, which pushes the boundaries of the image sensor to convey color-accurate, crystal-clear photos even in challenging lighting conditions.

ISOCELL technology enables a broader chief ray angle (CRA) by capturing more diagonal light. This eventually allows a brighter lens with a wider aperture that produces clear and more luminous pictures even in low light conditions.

Because of their design, ISOCELL image sensors can also decrease the height of the camera module irrespective of the resolution. Hence, these sensors adopt the sleek form factor of contemporary smartphones.

Five years after the inception of ISOCELL, Samsung has elevated the image sensing technology further with the ISOCELL Plus.

In the traditional ISOCELL technology, the metal grids that isolate the color filter decreases interference between pixels. Also, they lead to some optical loss because they absorb reflected light or incoming light from the neighboring pixels.

On the other hand, the ISOCELL Plus sensor substitutes that metal barrier with an advanced new material developed by Fujifilm. So, it minimizes light reflection and optical loss. The latest ISOCELL Plus technology indicates more accurate and sharper photos, although challenging light environments exist.

The ISOCELL Plus sensor features higher color fidelity and 15% more light sensitivity. Moreover, this sensor is compatible with super-resolution cameras with more than 20 MP resolutions. The technology also allows the image sensor to equip pixel-sized 0.8 µm or smaller without any performance loss. Hence, this sensor is an optimal solution for high-resolution cameras.

ISOCELL Plus sensor not only facilitates the development of ultra-high-resolution sensors with its small pixels but will also provide a performance boost for sensors with more significant pixel designs. The pixels are separated through a unique coating material, leading to a rise in density by 30%.

Samsung launched ISOCELL Plus in July 2018, and since then, it has progressively extended its image sensor lineup built on the technology.

Exmor-RS CMOS sensor:

Sony developed Exmor-RS, the world’s foremost stacked CMOS image sensor that conveys superior picture quality in a compact size. It is designed for use in tablets and smartphones. It includes a unique, advanced ‘stacked structure.’

Sony built this 35 mm full-frame stacked CMOS image sensor with the built-in memory for the high-performance α9. It leads to a lighter and smaller professional camera.

In addition to offering outstanding imaging performance, it entails multiple functions that help reduce components to trim the weight and size of the α9. The idea behind the development is to use natural resources. The structure layers the pixel section that shows results of back-illuminated pixels on the chip attached with mounted circuits for signal processing.

This α9 sensor significantly boosts image quality and performance through powerful AF; vibration-free, silent, constant shooting up to 20 fps, and a blackout-free viewfinder. Note that this sensor packs all the features of a conventional digital SLR mirror, AF sensor, mechanical shutter, and optical finder.

Along with these, it reduces the physical size and weight of the camera. Compared to a conventional full-frame DSLR, for example, Sony’s first full-frame model α900, the α9 is approx. 20% smaller. So, it is easier to carry anywhere. Moreover, this sensor offers performance and speeds beyond the capabilities of other sensor models while using fewer resources.

Sony will also unveil three corresponding imaging modules equipped with these sensors. Of these three modules, two Exmor-RS models that Sony will launch are IMX135 (type 1/3.06 model with 13.13 effective megapixels) and IMX1344 (type 1/4 model with 8.08 effective megapixels). They feature the ‘HDR (High Dynamic Range) movie’ function and the ‘RGBW coding’ function.

HDR movie function allows the configuration of two unique exposure conditions on a single screen when shooting. It flawlessly performs image processing to produce optimal images with brilliant colors and a broad dynamic range, irrespective of the light conditions.

RGBW coding function can capture clear, sharp images even when captured in low light conditions. This function features W (white) pixels in addition to the conventional RGB (red-green-blue) pixel. It leverages Sony’s proprietary device technology and signal processing to enhance sensitivity without negotiating its high resolution.

The third Exmor RS imaging module is the ISX014 (type 1/4 model with 8.08 effective megapixels). It has an in-built camera signal processing function.

Critical features of Exmor RS stacked CMOS image sensor:

• Commercializing the latest, independently developed Exmor-RS, equipped with the world’s first unique stacked structure.
• The corresponding stacked structure offers superior image quality and a more compact size.
• Implemented with ‘HDR movie’ and ‘RGBW coding’ functions (“IMX135” and “IMX134”)
• It is implemented with a built-in camera signal processing function that provides compatibility with picture adjustment, automatic controls, and multiple image output formats (like YUV) (“ISX014”).

ISOCELL Plus vs. EXMOR-RS CMOS sensor: