Basic Betacam Camerawork, 3rd Edition

Gain, noise and sensitivity

Camera sensitivity is usually quoted by camera manufacturers with reference to four interlinking elements:

1	a subject with peak white reflectivity
2	scene illumination
3	f-number
4	signal-to-noise ratio for a stated signal.

It is usually expressed as being the resulting f-number when exposed to a peak white subject with 89.9% reflectance lit by 2000 lux quoting the signal/noise ratio. For most current digital cameras this is at least f8 or better with a signal/ noise ratio of 60 dB. This standard rating is provided to allow different cameras’ sensitivity to be compared and is not an indication of how much light or at what stop the camera should be used.

Noise

The sensitivity of the camera could be increased ...