In computers the giga-hertz race is going to continue for a long time. There is no logical stopping point: as the old saying goes, what Intel giveth, Microsoft taketh away.
There is, however, a foreseeable end to the mega-pixel war.
I’ve study a lot of print outs and have come to a few conclusions.
(As you look at these numbers remember this: a new 2 MP camera is using the same CCD that has been out for about 4 years now. How would an image from one built from the ground up using the latest technology look? How about using next year's technology?)
The average consumer taking pictures of Aunt Milly really doesn’t need a whole lot more than 2 MP. This person will make very few prints larger than 4x5. Lets give a cheap consumer camera a 2 MP sensor and good one closer to 4 MP. Think this isn’t enough? Look at the average consumer’s prints and ask yourself if they are better than 4x5 prints you’ve seen from a Canon D-30 or Oly E-10.
For the hobbyist or prosumer market we need a little more. Here we will be seeing many more 8x10s with a few larger prints. A 4 MP sensor will be a good “entry level” camera while a good average will be closer to 8 MP. There, of course, may be a higher end to this market and you might see some 12 MP and even 16 MP cameras that don’t offer pro features.
The pro camera is harder to pin down. For some work 8 MP will be enough. Others will be replacing their medium and large format cameras and will want 24 to 32 MP, maybe even 64 MP. There may even be special uses for ultra-high resolutions like 128 MP or even 1 GP. Optics will be the real limiting factor for these special use cameras.
When people stop shouting for more MP the sensor makers will have to look into other features to make people buy their chips. Bit depth will quickly become 16 bit/color. Other technologies may come out to rival the Feveon. They will work harder on taking out noise. ISO ranges will become incredible – anyone for action shots by candlelight? (BTW - months ago I predicted chip makers would combine pixels to acheive higher ISO's - the Feveon hype says it's going to be able to that.) The wish list goes on.
I’m sure we are going to see a shake down in the camera industry soon. After that I expect to see some standards established.
This is really a two-part post. The second part is about the current state (as of 2 years ago!) of resolution with the E-10 image.
There is, however, a foreseeable end to the mega-pixel war.
I’ve study a lot of print outs and have come to a few conclusions.
(As you look at these numbers remember this: a new 2 MP camera is using the same CCD that has been out for about 4 years now. How would an image from one built from the ground up using the latest technology look? How about using next year's technology?)
The average consumer taking pictures of Aunt Milly really doesn’t need a whole lot more than 2 MP. This person will make very few prints larger than 4x5. Lets give a cheap consumer camera a 2 MP sensor and good one closer to 4 MP. Think this isn’t enough? Look at the average consumer’s prints and ask yourself if they are better than 4x5 prints you’ve seen from a Canon D-30 or Oly E-10.
For the hobbyist or prosumer market we need a little more. Here we will be seeing many more 8x10s with a few larger prints. A 4 MP sensor will be a good “entry level” camera while a good average will be closer to 8 MP. There, of course, may be a higher end to this market and you might see some 12 MP and even 16 MP cameras that don’t offer pro features.
The pro camera is harder to pin down. For some work 8 MP will be enough. Others will be replacing their medium and large format cameras and will want 24 to 32 MP, maybe even 64 MP. There may even be special uses for ultra-high resolutions like 128 MP or even 1 GP. Optics will be the real limiting factor for these special use cameras.
When people stop shouting for more MP the sensor makers will have to look into other features to make people buy their chips. Bit depth will quickly become 16 bit/color. Other technologies may come out to rival the Feveon. They will work harder on taking out noise. ISO ranges will become incredible – anyone for action shots by candlelight? (BTW - months ago I predicted chip makers would combine pixels to acheive higher ISO's - the Feveon hype says it's going to be able to that.) The wish list goes on.
I’m sure we are going to see a shake down in the camera industry soon. After that I expect to see some standards established.
This is really a two-part post. The second part is about the current state (as of 2 years ago!) of resolution with the E-10 image.
