Where Should Digital Cameras Max Out In Terms Of Mega Pixels Offered?

[DaVibe]

So, already this year we're seeing 7 and 8 Mega Pixel cameras as the new "NORM" with 9 and 10 released later this year.

My assumption is that the technology and chip / sensor size is the same as it was when the camera was a 5 or 6MP. How can a small, pocket size digital camera TRULY TAKE 8-10 MP photos?

What do you guys think? How do you feel about this?

Personally, I think this is one consumer WANT that actually has no benefit. No REGULAR USER needs to take and PRINT 8MP photos. I think I've printed a 6MP-size image ONCE in 5 years.

Edit: I realize there's already LIKE discussions (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=556906)in this section, however I'm just having the chat again, that's all. Seeing what you guys have to say and feel about the issue.

[KorruptioN]

Sensor technology keeps getting better on the DSLR front, they're able to pack more pixels into their APS-C sized sensors with a little to no penalty with noise.

Compact sensors, on the other hand, seemed to have hit a wall beyond 7mp. Sony is up to 13mp with a larger than average sensor, but it'll still probably be drowned in noise-reduction algorithms. For what its worth, my G6 with a 1/1.8" sensor, rated at 7mp, features a very usable ISO400 (the maximum available ISO). Fuji struck gold with a large sensor (1/1.6") rated at "only" 6mp. Noise performance was excellent as a result. Too bad they've succumbed to the marketing tools.

The megapixel race needs to end.

[aidzhsiah]

It SHOULD end already. I agree that no one really needs that many megapixels.

But seeing as it's become the default marketing draw for less-than-knowledgeable consumers, I can't see it ending. After all, the regular person on the street doesn't really understand the whole concept outside of "it has more, therefore it must be better" argument.

They don't see that image quality is suffering or that noise is increased. I mean, I'm sure everyone's had this kind of conversation at least once...

"Look at this awesome camera! 10x Digital Zoom!"
"Digital zoom is useless.. it degrades the picture quality. Use optical zoom!"
"But look how close I can get!"
:rolleyes:

Unfortunately, the only hope is that sensor technology can keep up.

[CameraBill]

They should keep going up until the price of memory/storage stops decreasing.

The problem is that the good cameras/bodies with the best features and egonomics are also packed with high megapixel counts.

[CanadaBoy]

http://6mpixel.org/en/

[hightech]

With point and shoot cameras, I never look at the numbers of the camera, but more at the sample pictures they produce. My Canon S3 IS was 6.1 megapixel, and it took very good pictures. I had no issues doing 11x14 prints. The replacement S5 IS cranked up the mp to 8 and the images are not as clean as the S3.

The megapixel count on cameras are great for marketing, and for driving the sales of memory cards. I really don't see why any point and shoot camera really needs 8 mega pixel and higher.

Now SLR cameras are a different story. Camera's like Canon's flagship EOS-1Ds Mark III, has a 21.1 megapixel sensor. The image quality on this camera is amazing (as it should be for a $10K camera).

[CSAgent]

You guys need to take a look at Hasselblad cameras... That in itself is a whole other market with 20-30MP+ being the norm.

[oakville]

because it use double full frame sensor...:-), so theoretically, there is not limit of mega pix for digi cam.

You guys need to take a look at Hasselblad cameras... That in itself is a whole other market with 20-30MP+ being the norm.

[Outsider]

because it use double full frame sensor...:-), so theoretically, there is not limit of mega pix for digi cam.
You likely didn't mean 'there is no limit'.... since once the pixel density gets to what we see on the point and shoot sensors, even the large format cameras will have the same problems...
luckily when you spend that kind of cash for a large (or medium format) back, image quality is what rules supreme, and the users are not sold on megapixel numbers.

[oakville]

i actually mean "there is no limit..", take Hasselblad as example, like a quad, duo core cpu, sensor size can grow as well!!

You likely didn't mean 'there is no limit'.... since once the pixel density gets to what we see on the point and shoot sensors, even the large format cameras will have the same problems...
luckily when you spend that kind of cash for a large (or medium format) back, image quality is what rules supreme, and the users are not sold on megapixel numbers.

[hightech]

I guess it all comes down to price. Some mid tier to top tier cameras can easily get to the $20K and higher mark. The flagship Canon EOS body alone is like $10K and it has 21.1 megapixel.

It really comes down to what you are using the camera for, and what size images you are planning on taking. For most people who want to do 8x10 or 8x14, a good 6 megapixel camera can do wonders (my old S3 IS took amazing images for a 6.1mp mega zoom camera).

[frogger]

How does 39MP sound?
http://www.thecamerastore.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=32912

[ShadowVlican]

it's not going to end til Joe Sixpack understands that "megapixels != quality"