[Exact] Comparison between CCD and CMOS Image Sensor

Based on MOS(Metal Oxide Semiconductor) technology, there are mainly two types of electronic image sensors available, one is Charge Coupled Device or CCD image sensor and another one is Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor or CMOS image sensor.

Those both types of image sensors have good advantages and perfect for compact electronic devices. The CMOS image sensor also is known as the Active Pixel image sensor. This article will provide you the exact comparison between CCD and CMOS image sensors with their advantages, disadvantages, and applications.

CCD Image Sensor

CCD means Charge-Coupled Device. The main primary components of this sensor are MOS Capacitors. These capacitors are automatically get charged by absorbing light then it converted into a numerical electronic signal to produce an image. As the main working principle of this sensor is depends upon the charging of the capacitor, it is called a charge-coupled device.

CCD Image sensor is mainly an analog sensor and it is a current-driven device. Primarily it creates an analog signal then it converted into a digital signal itself. For this reason, it requires more voltage(12V to 20V) and more power.

Advantages of CCD Image Sensor

1. The most important and remarkable advantage of CCD image sensors is, for a high-quality photoshoot it is best.

2. It provides many more pixels as well as more resolution.

3. For high-quality video photography, CCD image sensors are best.

4. They have a very long time life span and perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.

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Disadvantages of CCD Image Sensor

1. It's processing speed very low.

2. The Fabrication process of a CCD image sensor is more complicated.

3. CCD Image Sensor is a very high-cost device.

4. CCD Image sensor require more additional electronic circuits, reference voltages, etc.

Applications of CCD Image Sensor

1. CCD Image sensors are mostly used in high definition cameras.

2. These sensors are in video cameras, film cameras, etc.

3. These image sensors are used very much in scientific research purposes for scanning, data collection, etc.

4. These image sensors are used in high-end medical devices.

5. These image sensors are used in most advanced astrophotography instruments.

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CMOS Image Sensor

CMOS means a Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor. CMOS image sensors have many phototransistors inside them. Those phototransistors absorb light and create voltages proportional to intensity. So, CMOS image sensors are mainly voltage-driven devices.

CMOS image sensors primarily create digital signals only. It doesn't need more extra electronic circuitry and reference voltage because phototransistors can create voltage itself.
CMOS image sensors can be fabricated in any standard silicon production line which reduces its manufacturing cost.

Advantages of CMOS Image Sensor

1. CMOS Image sensors do not need more extra circuits or reference voltages.

2. CMOS Image sensors are very low-cost devices.

3. CMOS image sensors take very little power compared to CCD sensors.

4. CMOS image sensors have electronic pan, stabilization features to get high-quality images.

5. CMOS image sensors are very compact in size.

6. Processing speed and output speed are very high in CMOS image sensors.

7. CMOS image sensors can be fabricated in any standard silicon production line.

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Disadvantages of CMOS Image Sensor

1. CMOS image sensors can't produce a very high-quality image and are not suitable for high-quality videography.

2. CMOS image sensors cannot be used for Scanning purposes.

3. The CMOS image sensor has less dynamic ranges than a CCD sensor.

4. The CMOS sensor needs more intensity of the light to work properly.

Applications of CMOS Image Sensor

1. CMOS image sensors are used in low-cost compact electronic devices such as mobile, digital cameras, etc.

2. CMOS sensors are used in radiotherapy detectors.

3. CMOS sensors are used in R&D instruments for measurements, and detection purposes.

4. CMOS  sensors are used in cheaper devices such as pen cameras, webcam cameras, etc.

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Comparison Between CCD and CMOS Image Sensor

CCD Image Sensor	CMOS Image Sensor
Full-Form: Charge-Coupled Device	Full-Form: Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
It is a Current Driven Device.	It is a Voltage Driven Device.
Its working depends upon the charging of capacitors.	Its working depends upon light absorption by the transistor.
It’s each pixel needs an individual amplifier.	It has only one amplifier for all pixels.
It primarily creates an analog signal.	It primarily creates a digital signal.
It has Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) circuit.	It does not have Analog to Digital Converter Circuit.
It needs many extra electronic circuitry, reference voltages, etc.	It does not need extra circuitry, reference voltages, etc.
For a high-resolution image, high quality video shooting purposes CCD sensor is used.	It is not suitable for high-resolution, high-quality image, and video shooting.
It takes very much electrical power.	It takes very little electrical power.
It is perfect for scanning purposes.	It is not perfect for scanning purposes.
It is a very much costly device.	It is a very low-cost device.
It is found in high-end electronic devices such as DSLR cameras, Film cameras, medical devices, etc.	It is found in cheaper and compact devices such as mobile phones, webcam cameras, etc.

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