You can try it yourself by using the samples on this site. I did with some of the ISO 1600 samples. The Fuji sensor is 7.8x4.1 mm, the FF sensor is 36x24 mm. Crop a corresponding piece of a full FF-image and compare to a full un-cropped image from the F10. Print them both at the same size and see which you prefer.
If noise is low (say, at low ISOs), the 12-bit digitization may reduce DR somewhat from the limit of the cells themselves. 14 or 16 bit digitization would alleviate this "problem" (if it exists).
Don't think that is what Z is talking about here, Ron - that is pretty specialised.
You need a strong reason to give up pixel area, so I suspect it will remain specialized for a while.
Actually, the paper referenced by Ron was one of the things I was thinking of in terms of proof that you can build sophisticated conversion into the pixel structure. There is some question of what to do with the technology, but it is an example of a fundamental change in the way sensors are built that might have a significant effect on end user percieved image quality.
Sounds to me that we are approaching the GIGO limits of the pixels, highlights excepted - and Canon also think so - hence the push for larger chips.
It would be interesting to know what sort of lithography various manufacturers are using to manufacture sensors. My guess is that it trails the leading edge for certain other types of chips by say two generations. Adding more complexity to the per pixel circuit makes more sense as lithography gets finer. Though at any given time, it implies a more expensive sensor than one using a simpler circuit.
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There should be little doubt that Canon's DSLRs can benefit from better A/D conversion. First, the well capacity of the pixels is likely over 30K electrons. Second, the fact that analog amplification through ISO boosting looks better than pushing in RAW conversion proves that there is extra detail that is missed by the 12 bit A/D converter.
We know a little:
I'm aware of astronomy CCDs - I kinda follow astronomy - but I didn't
I was comparing it to the evolution of magnetic storage,
I misread your phrase "software, processors, and circuitry required to handle it" as generalizing beyond magnetic storage rather than indicating the scope of disciplines required to address increasing storage density. My apologies.
http://www.fairchildimaging.com/main/ccd_area_595.htm -- 8cm x 8cm, 85 megapixels. For serious stuff, one would make a mosaic using more than one.
That makes sense to me at least... and I did own a F10 until it died 2 months ago in a downpour.
If one of them being out of market, then this is a big big big bad new