Contents

This technical brief provides detailed information on the following topics, related to all EPSON digital cameras:

Image Quality—Megapixel CCD sensors

EPSON digital cameras include a one megapixel, two megapixel, or three megapixel CCD sensor, which determines the resolution of the images. Each megapixel contains one million pixels.

A CCD is made up of an array of photosensors (CCD elements or

photosites) that are able to record a unique image detail. Each Higher resolution produces greater detail photosensor (or CCD element) creates an electrical charge

proportional to the amount of light it receives and sends the charge to an A/D (Analog to Digital) converter inside the camera.

Because a higher resolution image contains more detail, you can:

Enlarge an image without losing a significant amount of detail.

Print an image to a high resolution output device (such as an

 

EPSON Stylus ink jet printer or a printing press)—many

 

industry analysts believe that the quality of images captured

 

with two megapixel digital cameras is good enough to replace

 

traditional film-based cameras.

The key differences between a one megapixel, two megapixel, and three megapixel CCD sensor are:

Key Differences

Image resolution

Ideal use for images with low compression

 

One Megapixel CCD

 

Two Megapixel CCD

 

Three Megapixel CCD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1152 x 864 pixels (1.09

 

1600 x 1200 pixels

 

2048 x 1536 pixels

 

 

million pixels CCD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

1280 x 960 pixels (1.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

million pixels CCD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up to 5 x 7 inch

 

Up to 8 x 10 inch

 

Up to 11 x 14 inch

 

 

enlargements

 

enlargements

 

enlargements

 

One, two, and three megapixel cameras produce excellent 4 x 6-inch and 5x7-inch prints. The key difference lies in the quality of the image enlargements.

EPSON Sales TrainingEPSON and EPSON Stylus are registered trademarks and Print Image Matching is a5/01

trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. PhotoPC is a registered trademark of Epson

America, Inc. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.