andy wrote:CMOS image sensors are used in most video cameras due to their low cost and low power consumption. They use the "rolling shutter" method of reading the charge off each pixel on the sensor, which allows the image to change during the read operation. Some new image sensors, such as InVisage (http://www.invisageinc.com/page.aspx?cont=QuantumShutter), use a different method that captures the state of all pixels on the image sensor at one instant and then reads it while it is unchanged. This eliminates rolling shutter artifacts such as curved props. I think all of the current action cameras use the older rolling shutter approach. If you're thinking of buying one that has the newer technology, you'll have to wait a year or two. Higher frame rates like 60 FPS help since each scan of the image sensor takes a shorter amount of time: .017 seconds instead of .033 seconds. During that time, the prop moves less distance and the image is less curved. The downside of the faster frame rate is larger file size and less recording time available for a given memory module size. At 1280x720p resolution each frame contains 921,600 pixels each with 24-bits of color information which are being stored on the memory card at a frame rate of 24, 30 or 60 frames per second. Battery charge usually is more of a limiting factor than memory module size on an action camera, so a 60 FPS frame rate is the best choice for least image distortion. The cameras automatically create separate video files every 3.6GB but it takes longer to view and edit larger files.
So is this difference between new vs. old technology why my Sony Cybershot does not have have any problem with prop bending but cameras like the Drift do?
I'm trying to learn about all this and this has all been good info. Thanks.
...and how that compares to the Stealth. I don't want to be cheap and in 6 mos wish I had gotten the other camera.
