Methods for CCD camera characterization

In this paper we present methods for characterizing CCD cameras. Interesting properties are linearity of photometric response, signal-to-noise ratio, sensitivity, dark current, and spatial frequency response. The techniques to characterize CCD cameras are carefully designed to assist one in selecting a camera to solve a certain problem. The methods described were applied to a variety of cameras: an Astromed TE3/A with P86000 chip, a Photometrics CC200 series with Thompson chip TH7882, a Photometrics CC200 series with Kodak chip KAF1400, a Xillix' Micro Imager 1400 with Kodak chip KAF1400, an HCS MXR CCD with a Philips chip and a Sony XC-77RRCE.