Understanding Camera sensor size

[Jagdeep]

Hello
I see alot of cameras with sensor size of 1/2.5"
What does this mean?
the sensor is 1" high and 2.5" long? .. this seems like a huge sensor
I must be reading it wrong

Pls advise
Jag

 

[CYRN]

it's to be read 1(div)2.5" diagonal.

 

[Jagdeep]

Cyrn, I still dont understand,
does this mean that the vertical is 1" and the horizontal is 2.29" ?
and the diagonal is 2.5" ? This looks big

or, the sensor diagonal is 0.4mm ? This looks awfully small

Jag

 

[J-Chan]

think its read as 1/2.5 of an inch.. correct me if I'm wrong..

 

[varf]

see http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Camera_System/sensor_sizes_01.htm

 

[lsisaxon]

Hello
I see alot of cameras with sensor size of 1/2.5"
What does this mean?
the sensor is 1" high and 2.5" long? .. this seems like a huge sensor
I must be reading it wrong

Pls advise
Jag

Most PnS sensors have aspect ratio of 4:3, so Pythagoras theorem would give the diagonal a ratio of 5. The sensor size given as 1/2.5" = 0.4", which means the length is 0.32" and the height is 0.24".

Yes, these sensors are very small.