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Forget What You’ve Heard—Sensor Size Does Matter, and This Is Why

From Super 16 to IMAX, here are the major differences in sensor sizes that you need to know and how to use them.

The size of a camera’s sensor determines how much light it can gather to create an image, at least in part. While it makes sense that a bigger sensor can gain more information than a smaller one, producing better images, there are major perks to a smaller sensor.

The size of the sensor area can vary depending on the camera you are using, with each sensor size or format having a subtly different look that can affect the overall visual tone of your project. While there are loads of different cameras with loads of different formats and sensor sizes, there are five that are most commonly used in film production today and have been standardized by film history.

In Depth Cine breaks down the five most popular formats—Super 16, Super 35, Full Frame, 65mm, and IMAX—and the effects of each sensor size. Understanding which format will help you decide which camera and sensor sizes will best serve your production with ease.

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Author: Alyssa Miller
This article comes from No Film School and can be read on the original site.

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