What does CMOS camera mean?
A CMOS sensor is an APS (Active Pixel Sensor) image sensor. In layman’s terms, an image sensor reads physical information (light) and converts it to digital information (pixel data). APS is the type of sensor, CMOS is the technology used to create it.
Throughout history, CMOS sensors have been generally found in lower quality applications such as webcams and camera phones. CMOS sensors, on the whole, are noisier (grainier), which is why most camcorders have CCD or 3CCD sensors. This perception is changing as higher quality video products use CMOS sensors, such as DSLRs.
A major disadvantage of CMOS sensors is that the image is captured one row at a time. So, imagine you’re a camera and you have to draw what you see in front of you, starting at the top. Well, depending on the amount of movement, by the time you reach the end of the drawing, the picture will be totally different. Although the sensor can write at, let’s say 1/60th of a second, too much movement can lead to frames that are tilted slightly, which causes the video to “wiggle”. Some videographers call this “Jello-vision”.
Even given these disadvantages, CCD or 3CCD cameras aren’t necessarily better than CMOS cameras. There are many other variables that affect overall image quality. Avoid making videography buying decisions based on sensor-type. Tools are tools. Would you buy a cabinet based on the screwdriver used to construct it? Equipment doesn’t produce good video; videographers produce good video.