3CCD is a term used to describe an imaging system employed by some video camcorders. 3CCD cameras have three separate charge-coupled devices, each one taking a separate measurement of red, green, and blue light. Light coming into the lens is split by a dichroic prism, which directs the appropriate wavelengths of light to its respective CCD.

3CCD cameras are generally regarded to provide superior image quality to cameras with only one CCD, which must use a bayer filter and interpolation to 'fill in the gaps'. They are also generally more expensive than single CCD cameras.

Industry professionals sometimes colloquially refer to 3CCD cameras as "three-chip" cameras; this term is actually more descriptive and inclusive, since it includes cameras that use CMOS image sensors instead of CCDs.

External links

• Canon's explanation of 3CCD technology

Digital photography | Image sensors