Why did they make camera sensor 16:9

[Erik Pendleton]

I assume it was for HD video but still seems like an odd choice. To me something closer to square seems like a better choice. To get a 5x7 equivalent on 16:9 you have to lose a lot of pixels.

You should still be able to carve an HD video out of a more square sensor?

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

I assume it was for HD video but still seems like an odd choice. To me something closer to square seems like a better choice. To get a 5x7 equivalent on 16:9 you have to lose a lot of pixels.

You should still be able to carve an HD video out of a more square sensor?

I'm pretty sure they were thinking that the majority of users upload to social networks and share digitally as opposed to printing them out. At least that's my guess.

 

[warpdrive]

Yes, a 4:3 format would be better.
But It's all about the zoes.

sent with my 2 year old HTC evo3d

 

[Jaymil]

I prefer 16:9 as most of my screens that I would view a picture or video on are 16:9...

 

[Thegreatone3]

Is there an option to shoot in 4:3 if desired?

 

[warpdrive]

Is there an option to shoot in 4:3 if desired?

Absolutely. And 1:1.

sent with my 2 year old HTC evo3d

 

[Russ Smith]

I assume it was for HD video but still seems like an odd choice. To me something closer to square seems like a better choice. To get a 5x7 equivalent on 16:9 you have to lose a lot of pixels.

You should still be able to carve an HD video out of a more square sensor?

Yea for printing, but my phone and tv screen are 16:9, times are changing! I prefer the wide shot

Sent from my HTC One

 

[CaCHooKaMan]

probably because the phone is 16:9, HDTVs are 16:9 and most monitors are 16:9. i guess they figured most people wouldnt be printing out pictures taken with a camera phone.

 

[stopsign002]

probably because the phone is 16:9, HDTVs are 16:9 and most monitors are 16:9. i guess they figured most people wouldnt be printing out pictures taken with a camera phone.

As they shouldn't be haha. Phone cameras are really only good for digital sharing.

 

[SCjRqrQCnBQ19QoYCtdl]

I assume it was for HD video but still seems like an odd choice. To me something closer to square seems like a better choice. To get a 5x7 equivalent on 16:9 you have to lose a lot of pixels.

You should still be able to carve an HD video out of a more square sensor?

I sort of agree with this. Traditional aspect raitos make for better still photo composition. Think about the excess frame if you take a picture of a person. Who wants all the extraneous stuff on both or either side of your subject. Landscapes or panoramas are potential exceptions, but can be handled through software quite easily. Also think about turning the phone to take a picture in portrait orientation. Now it is both bad composition, and will look even smaller on a 16:9 screen (tv/laptop/desktop monitor).

 

[SCjRqrQCnBQ19QoYCtdl]

Is there an option to shoot in 4:3 if desired?

Yeah, but it involves cutting out the pixels so instead of 4mp you are looking at 3mp or so.

 

[Erik Pendleton]

Yeah, but it involves cutting out the pixels so instead of 4mp you are looking at 3mp or so.

Exactly