cool 6mb site

[ampguy]

http://6mpixel.org/en/

Perhaps this site explains why sensors like the RD1 and the Fuji f3x products have such great IQ and low noise?

 

[mn4367]

The site is more about 6 MP and small sensors found in compact digital (P&S) cameras. Today an APS-C size sensor like in the R-D1 can take more pixels without in quality. The 12 MP Nikon D300 may serve as an example here. Sensor technology has evolved since the R-D1 appeared.
That said the R-D1 is a good example that pixel size still matters. I have images shot at 400 ISO which don't show any relevant noise contrary to some of the best current 10-12 MP compact cameras which get problems at 200 ISO and above. That's what 6mpixel.org is about.

 

[noimmunity]

The site is more about 6 MP and small sensors found in compact digital (P&S) cameras. Today an APS-C size sensor like in the R-D1 can take more pixels without in quality. The 12 MP Nikon D300 may serve as an example here. Sensor technology has evolved since the R-D1 appeared.
That said the R-D1 is a good example that pixel size still matters. I have images shot at 400 ISO which don't show any relevant noise contrary to some of the best current 10-12 MP compact cameras which get problems at 200 ISO and above. That's what 6mpixel.org is about.

well, at the end of the web page link above, there are recommendations for maximum optimum MP counts at a pixel size of 3µm for various sensors, including APS-C, which could optimally have 37MP, and Full Frame, which could have 96MP. So the RD-1's APS-C 6Mp sensor is a ways away from the potential optimum, isn't it?

DPReview ran a similar story a while ago: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/
I think the issue is well known, so it is really a marketing issue. What better marketing strategy than to plan for a "return to less pixels = higher quality" cycle after beating every inch of profit out of the "more pixels = better" cycle.

Puts' recent article "The case for simplicity" http://www.imx.nl/photo/viewpoint/the_case_for_simplicity_and.html really sums it up: "Manufacturers are not making goods for the benefit of mankind, but for making a profit. ... They know that feature overload will disrupt our ability to make choices for products that make us happy or that we really want because it fits our demands. ... how do we compare [two different camera systems with a variety of different complex features]? You cannot, but the brain is confused and that is precisely what the manufacturers want it to be. So you stop trying to detect the distinguishing features and choose on brand recognition or buying advice from the numerous press and internet buying guides. And after you selected the product, you are still insecure and continue to seek assurance that you made a wise choice."

 

[ampguy]

well, IMHO, the mold was broken after the Fuji F30, F31fd, Pentax 6MP DSLRs, Canon 5D, and RD1.

There is one saving technology for the current crop of high MP digital, it's chilled camera bags, keeping your overcrammed digital sensors on ice until you pull it out to photograph.