The pixel war

I read a reveiw recently not a pentax reveiw, on a camera that had I think 16 mega pixels. In the reveiw the reviewer actualy thought the camera produced better photos when the camera was set to the 10 million pixel option. My question is if this is so why do we need so many more pixels and why do manufactures keep plugging the mega pixel thing. Also do memebers here use the same option to reduce pixel amounts and why please.
Ian

The thing is that people want more pixels, so the manufacturer's know this and they know that it sells cameras. I did a college course a couple of years ago and the tutor used to say that 3-6 million pixels was more than enough, I wonder what he is telling his students now.I cannot imagine needing better images than I get from my K7.I could understand it if the sensor size changed to accommodate the increase in pixels but it doesn't seem to with compacts at least.
Regards
Chris

I do not see why setting the camera to a lower resolution would improve picture quality whatsoever - unless the pixels could be 'grouped' to create larger photosites and reduce noise etc. But that isn't the case for most cameras.

I understand the need when dealing with large blowups at high resolution - but that's where the 645D comes in...

Don't agree that 10MP would make automagically a "better" pic than 16MP, either.

Bret

I still think my K10D produced slightly sharper results than the K20D/K-7/K-5.
For me it's a trade off against being able to crop a lot more, especially when shooting aircraft/birds etc.

I see the new Sony A77 will have 24m pixels.

I think the move to the 24MP Sony sensor is almost inevitable for Pentax's next top model... an exercise in 'keeping up with the Joneses' rather than improving print quality.... at that level even cropping is probably limited as much by the lens as the sensor resolution. But I'm sure Sony's technical wizards will be able to pull it off with minimal effect on noise, DR etc, so I can't see an actual downside... apart from the need for larger cards, extra storage space, better computers etc...

If sony have sorted that viewfinder (friend of mine has the A55 and its horrible) then Canon and Nikon could actually be playing catchup for once.

It looks a real beast of a camera.

[quote:3496ace15f="Mike-P"]I still think my K10D produced slightly sharper results than the K20D/K-7/K-5.
For me it's a trade off against being able to crop a lot more, especially when shooting aircraft/birds etc.

Mike, I wonder whether this is due solely to the change in sensor to CMOS??
Regards
Chris

Yup, pretty sure it is.

I still prefer the output of the K10D sensor. As I have said before, to me it gives a more glossy look picture whereas the newer models give a matt finish.

I see a problem for Pentax in being pretty much confined to using what ever sensor Sony puts out. Are there alternatives? Samsung is out the game?

I understand that Canon is making their own sensors? Nikon is putting money into making their own sensors? I don't have a clue about Olympus.

I would wish there where more players on the market, with todays technology they could make a very good 10mp sensor that would be excellent for the rugged compacts. Who need 16mp from a camera with a mediocre lens? Taking pictures underwater you would rather want the best possible result at higher ISOs.

On the other hand, Pentax is already focusing quite a bit on styling, and to be honest I believe that choice is borne out of necessity. I mean, let's face it: Pentax just don't have the same kind of money to do the kind of research and development that Canon, Sony and Nikon have. For pentax, next years model have to come with the latest sensor from Sony.

There are more sensor manufacturers than Sony and they will all want to sell their sensors. I think Sony, Toshiba, Samsung and Kodak all make sensors and maybe many more.

Wonder who Ricoh use for their sensors?

You only use one program on your washing machine but would you buy a machine that only had one program? Same thing with pixels or any technology, it doesn't matter if the extra pixels make a better image, manufacturers need something that sounds bigger and better to make people spend their hard earned.

I was mostly thinking APS-C sensors. Are they all in that game? When people talk about "the next Pentax DSLR" it seems to be expected that Sony will deliver the sensor.

[quote:3496ace15f="Joe S"]Nikon is putting money into making their own sensors? /quote]
They say that about the D7000 but it's a sony in there though, maybe adapted.