Foveon X3 Technology
Most digital cameras are equipped with either CCD or APS image sensors. Both of these produce images by capturing a single color at each pixel. The Foveon X3, however, takes advantage of the chemical properties of silicon to capture higher-quality images.
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Traditional Image Sensors
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Most digital single-lens reflex, or D-SLR, cameras and all single-exposure digital cameras use mosaic image sensors. These capture images using millions of pixels that are sensitive to one of the three primary colors: red, green and blue. They are placed in a specific pattern to optimize the quality of the image. However, the images are essentially complex mosaics, leaving gaps in each color.
Color Film
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Color film does not have the mosaic problems of traditional digital image sensors. Film uses three emulsion layers that allow each color to be absorbed at every point on the film strip. This gives film the advantage over digital when it comes to baseline image quality.
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Foveon X3
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Foveon tries to combine the convenience of digital with the quality of film by using a new technology to allow each pixel to be sensitive to all three colors simultaneously. It does this by using a silicon sensor. Because the three colors pass through silicon at different depths, components in the sensor can detect the wavelengths of light at each depth to mimic the properties of film. This produces images that are more consistent in quality.
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References
- Photo Credit the photographer image by Harvey Hudson from Fotolia.com
