Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

CMOS sensor stands for what?

1. Color metal-oxide semi-conductor

2. Charge metal-oxide semi-conductor

3. Complementary metal-oxide semi-conductor

4. Charge-coupled metal-oxide

The correct answer is: Complementary metal-oxide semi-conductor

CMOS sensor stands for Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. This technology is widely used in digital cameras, smartphones, and other imaging devices due to its several advantages, including low power consumption, high-speed operation, and the ability to integrate various components on a single chip, which makes it both compact and efficient. The term "complementary" refers to the use of both n-type and p-type semiconductor materials, which allows for reduced power usage and improved performance compared to other types of sensors, such as CCD (Charge-Coupled Devices). This design is particularly relevant in applications where battery life and efficiency are critical, such as in mobile devices and other portable imaging equipment. While the other options contain terms related to semiconductors, they do not accurately represent the technology used in CMOS sensors. Understanding this terminology and the underlying principles of CMOS technology is essential for photographers to grasp how their cameras capture images and how to maximize the capabilities of their equipment.