16:9 vs 4:3

[Rhys]

With respect to cameras with 16:9 as a "native" format, the new Panasonic TZ3 uses its sensor in such a way as to provide full resolution in either 16:9, 3:2, or 4:3 aspect ratios.

That'd be a neat trick. How do they manage this feat? If you have a sensor that's 4:3 you can't change the shape of the sensor to 16:9. It's physically impossible.

Are they perhaps including more pixels and just not telling us about them?

[regP]

dude those are nice pix thx for sharing. my camera can also do 3:2 aspect (2816x1872) but i dont much like it.

[John_Reed]

That'd be a neat trick. How do they manage this feat? If you have a sensor that's 4:3 you can't change the shape of the sensor to 16:9. It's physically impossible.

Are they perhaps including more pixels and just not telling us about them?

Here's how it's done, FYI (courtesy of Björn of dpreview)



That is to say, unlike other cameras, where the wideangle maxes out only for a certain aspect ratio, Panasonic's TZ2/3 designs will give the same max wideangle and the same number of captured pixels for any of the 16:9, 3:2, or 4:3 aspect ratios. Pretty slick, actually.

[Riley]

that is rather clever indeed
most sensors have some left over edge outside the image circle of course
in dSLRs its used as a black register for signal processing

tis a pity dSLRs do not allow you to choose formats too