Is the MegaPixel war really over?

So the G11 has a reduced pixel count. Some other manufactures are also reducing pixel count. But is it really happening?

There are so many 12MP P&S now that it looks like there is no end. Then comes the 7D. Which seems to have the same noise quality as 40/50D. It has 17.92mp which on a FF it looks like about 46MP. Does this mean that Canon still has lots of room to increase. Maybe making a 32MP 1DsMIV and then 40MP 1DsMV.

What do you believe is the ideal MP count for Full Frame and Crop?

In 5 years from now when Canon releases the 24MP 7DMIII, will we still be complaining about the increased MP.

The ideal MP count is as many as they can cram in while still reducing noise and increasing dynamic range

The MP war definitely isn't over in the phone biz - I saw some printed shots from a 12 megapixel camera phone the other day.... I have to say they look horrid compared to a 12mp DSLR but for a phone it's pretty crazy.

I believe that the race is going to go up to 100MP, we'll start at the race for 50MP, and go from there.

Adobe PS will probably be semi-built into the body. Upload your processing tools, and then a batch file, and the camera will take care of all your PP.

Interestingly no one mentions that G11 has a ccd and not a cmos sensor. Is there anyone here that has insight into technologies, other than the two mentioned being developed? I've read a few days ago about a kid in India that discovered the photovoltaic properties of the human hair.

No.

Canon is getting as lazy again, with the SX120 having the 1MP upgrade, to 10MP, and no other discernable differences (ok, it does have DIGIC 4). Still, if 10MP is the sweet spot, I will just have to wait to see if the SX130 also has 10MP or whether it goes up to 11MP.

The 7D has 18 MP. I thought Canon would have stopped and kept it at 15 MP, but they're pushing still further. I joked about the 30 MP 1Ds Mark IV, but now with the 5D2 at 21MP and Sony and Nikon beating the 1Ds Mark III at 24 MP, it seems inevitable now. Canon will still be pushing MPs.

Jim G wrote in post #8632973
The ideal MP count is as many as they can cram in while still reducing noise and increasing dynamic range

I have to agree this would be the ideal. But I used to think that would be 12MP on FF. So if they used today's technology on a 12MP camera. Making a camera that has noise imunity to 12,800ISO like the 5DMI at 1600. Then at some point we just say ok more MP. Where's the balance.

syntrix wrote in post #8632976
I believe that the race is going to go up to 100MP, we'll start at the race for 50MP, and go from there.

Hard to believe that we will see 100MP cameras, even Full Frame. But then again, only time will tell.

As long as there are people to swindle, the megapixel race will never end.

Frankly, for me, my 1Ds II has all the resolution I need at this time. I can print beautiful 24x36" prints with it, and I have never needed to go larger. The vast majority of shooters really don't need more than 8MP (that's a clean, DSLR 8 megapixels), as those can make beautiful 12x18 prints, and pretty decent 20x30 prints. Most people don't print larger than 8x12.

For me, added resolution will come in sort of handy for cropping on occasion, and otherwise, it's essentially wasted data. I'm sure bodies will keep packing more in, though there's a limit where it just isn't needed for most people. I'd much rather have better DR and such. Honestly, my 1Ds II doesn't have me really wanting for much of anything. I haven't really cared about any new cameras or even thought about 'upgrading' since I got it.

But but but... if you had 100MP, you could crop crop crop crop! LOL

MP wars are silly!

Jman13 wrote in post #8633077
...... The vast majority of shooters really don't need more than 8MP (that's a clean, DSLR 8 megapixels), as those can make beautiful 12x18 prints, and pretty decent 20x30 prints. Most people don't print larger than 8x12.

I have to agree mostly. So people starting out should get a used 20D if they want crop or used 5D if they want full frame.

I would be happy with a 20D if it did video.

hbdragon88 wrote in post #8633019
No.

Canon is getting as lazy again, with the SX120 having the 1MP upgrade, to 10MP, and no other discernable differences (ok, it does have DIGIC 4). Still, if 10MP is the sweet spot, I will just have to wait to see if the SX130 also has 10MP or whether it goes up to 11MP.

The 7D has 18 MP. I thought Canon would have stopped and kept it at 15 MP, but they're pushing still further. I joked about the 30 MP 1Ds Mark IV, but now with the 5D2 at 21MP and Sony and Nikon beating the 1Ds Mark III at 24 MP, it seems inevitable now. Canon will still be pushing MPs.

Theres a rumor saying Sony is gonna give their users a 32mp a950...

Given Sony cant control noise worth a **** its a guaranteed amusement

As for if the war is over, I have no clue, I think we're going to have to breathe here and get lenses up to speed...How many lenses are capable of delivering the resolution neeeded for this after all!

And you know, for all the mocking, the 7D looks fantastic, the noise performance is astounding, even taking noise into consideration its the best cropper out there, it soundly thrashes the D300 from what i've seen and THATS impressive to me

And while yes, you dont need 18mp to print and 8x12, the noise will be a lot harder to spot on such a print BECAUSE of the high resolution...Same with web sized shots, In reality, higher resolution works out to be a good thing unless you're looking at 100% crops...

Me personally? the 7D looks to deliver far better noise performance than my 30D, and im happy about it

No...until I get an MF like 30MP.

I hardly think it is a question of getting lazy, and more an issue of where you focus your limited development resource dollars and staff. Canon Point and shoots already outsell Nikons, but Canon has been taking a beating in dSLRs from Nikon. Is is no suprise this batch of new cameras gave the big feature and technology jump to dSLRs vs Point and Shoots where they already have great market share.

hbdragon88 wrote in post #8633019
No.

Canon is getting as lazy again, with the SX120 having the 1MP upgrade, to 10MP, and no other discernable differences (ok, it does have DIGIC 4). Still, if 10MP is the sweet spot, I will just have to wait to see if the SX130 also has 10MP or whether it goes up to 11MP.

The 7D has 18 MP. I thought Canon would have stopped and kept it at 15 MP, but they're pushing still further. I joked about the 30 MP 1Ds Mark IV, but now with the 5D2 at 21MP and Sony and Nikon beating the 1Ds Mark III at 24 MP, it seems inevitable now. Canon will still be pushing MPs.

bsmotril wrote in post #8633279
I hardly think it is a question of getting lazy, and more an issue of where you focus your limited development resource dollars and staff. Canon Point and shoots already outsell Nikons, but Canon has been taking a beating in dSLRs from Nikon. Is is no suprise this batch of new cameras gave the big feature and technology jump to dSLRs vs Point and Shoots where they already have great market share.

I'm not so sure about the Nikon comment in my community. I just discovered that 3 other people at work have canon, and they love their bodies. This was after shooting an "event" at work

Sure, If I was new to dslr, nikon might seem appealing, but I'm someone that does the research before hand, I work with Engineers

syntrix wrote in post #8633688
I'm not so sure about the Nikon comment in my community. I just discovered that 3 other people at work have canon, and they love their bodies. This was after shooting an "event" at work

Sure, If I was new to dslr, nikon might seem appealing, but I'm someone that does the research before hand, I work with Engineers

On a recent outing, i wasnt the only one in the place with an SLR, I saw 2 people with D60s...

Then I saw 2 40/50Ds [I could tell by the fact they had a NOTICABLY quieter shutter, My 30D sounded like a freight train everytime i took a picture] and someone with a 5D Mark II and 17-40