RD- I have the white paper. Canon says on pages 22 and 23,
\"Compared to the original 5D, the gap between the on-chip microlenses on the EOS 5D Mark II has been narrowed while the photodiode area ratio (photodiode area divided by the pixel size) has been increased. The distance between the microlens and photodiode has further been reduced to improve light gathering efficiency, and new color filter materials have been added to increase light transmissions while retaining accurate color reproduction. These optical advances and technology improvements to the sensor, plus countermeasures that help suppress noise from other camera circuits, are responsible for the sensor\'s high signal to noise ratio, enabling higher ISO speeds and improved dynamic range at low ISOs. Those are impressive sensor improvements, considering that the original EOS 5D had larger 8.2 µm pixels compared to 6.4 µm pixels on the EOS 5D Mark II, and that pixel noise usually increases as size decreases.\"
I understood, and read the reviewers as understanding, this to mean that the modifications and new color filter materials on the 5D II sensor, in effect a net increase in the photo-diode area, were introduced for the purpose of bringing the noise ratio of the II into parity with that of the 5D\'s larger pixels. I was speaking only of \'pixel size\' but I think I understand the distinction you\'re making, that \'photo-diode area\', meaning the pixels with their attendant transistors, is a more practical description in application.
Aug 12, 2009 at 07:45 AM
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