Please call us to discuss your requirements because this can be an easy or difficult question to answer depending on your application.
On a very simple level, if you require high sensitivity then it may be that CCD is more appropriate. The purchasing decision shouldn't just be based on this fact though as there are other consderations such as budget - higher resolution cameras with CMOS sensors are generally significantly cheaper.
Here are a few guidelines to follow when considering which camera sensor to use:
- CCD can be better in lower light conditions
- CMOS can produce noise in lower light conditions
- CCD can be expensive, especially when larger resolutions and higher frame rates are required
- CMOS offers more flexibility and a lower cost
- CMOS sensors increase the frame rate when the region of interest (ROI) is reduced
- It is possible to get 100's of frames per second from a sub £600 CMOS camera
- CCD offers a binning function which allows for faster readout speeds
- CMOS images can contain 'smearing' if the target is moving
- CMOS sensors require fewer supporting components and therefore less power
- Some CMOS cameras have a 'Global Shutter' function which negates smearing associated with rolling shutter
- Both CCD and CMOS based cameras can provide excellent image quality under the right conditions
