What is it about this Camera??

[ch1]

It's time for... FUN WITH MEGAPIXELS!

Hey, kids, did you ever stop to think that pixels have to cover the image area in two dimensions? That means that if Sensor A has N times as many pixels as Sensor B, you won't be able to print a good picture that's N times bigger... only the square-root-of-N times bigger.

Let's see how that works by comparing a camera with a boring, obsolete ol' 6.1-megapixel sensor to one with a spiffy new 10.2-megapixel sensor.

(No, not those two cameras; let's use the Nikon D100 and D200...)​

Okay, the D200's sensor has (10.2/6.1) or 1.672 times as many pixels as the D100's sensor. But remember, those pixels have to cover two dimensions. So the linear increase is the square root of 1.672, or... don't reach for that slide rule, I've got a calculator right here... 1.293.

So, if the largest print you find acceptable from a D100 is, say, 8x10 inches, that means the D200 will let you make an equally acceptable print that's 10.34 x 12.93 inches. Golly, that's almost enough to let you jump up to the next larger standard size of mat!

That alone has got to be worth an extra couple of thousand dollars, don't you think?...no?

I don't understand you point. 8x10 is about the max you can push a D-100 (or D-70) produced image shooting in NEF (Nikon RAW). And if you attempt any compression at all you are unlikely to be able to do so without pixellation.

The D-200 surpasses this barrier by a comfortable margin and that can be essential for many purposes.

The D-200 costs less now than the D-100 did when it was in production. So are you arguing that one should pay more for less or what? Is this approach some form of digital neo-luddism?

As I said, the user/commenters on RFF have created the QC record of the RD-1. Based on all that you have written here over the past year regarding reliability, servicing difficulties etc. - I would not buy one.

And as to the megapixel "race". I've read here that the DigiM will probably have a 10+mp sensor. How many 6mp RD-1's do you think will be sold after it comes out?

 

[iUser]

Does it really matter? We like the camera and we paid for it, isn't that enough for you? I’m sure Seiko Epson will survive the lost in sales and learn a few things on the way.
Maybe the next time they decide to venture onto someone else’s patch and put them to shame, the tiny liveable QA issues will be ironed out.

 

[ch1]

Does it really matter? We like the camera and we paid for it, isn't that enough for you? I’m sure Seiko Epson will survive the lost in sales and learn a few things on the way.
Maybe the next time they decide to venture onto someone else’s patch and put them to shame, the tiny liveable QA issues will be ironed out.

Have you ever heard of Zagat's restaurant guides? I know there is one for London. They consist of composite reviews of various restaurants based on submissions from those who have eaten at the place. If I read in Zagat's that a restaurant has lousy food and poor service based on the experiences of others - why would I have to check it out myself?

Anyway, enjoy your gear - that's what really matters!

 

[rvaubel]

Finally I understand George's confusion about the Epson! He's been using Zagat's restaurant guide as his basis for criticizing the features and QA of the camera!

It all makes sense now

Rex

 

[ulrik]

Have you ever heard of Zagat's restaurant guides? I know there is one for London. They consist of composite reviews of various restaurants based on submissions from those who have eaten at the place. If I read in Zagat's that a restaurant has lousy food and poor service based on the experiences of others - why would I have to check it out myself?

Anyway, enjoy your gear - that's what really matters!

Do you do reviews for Zagats too? I hope you acually eat there and not just take a look at the menu and a peek through the window like you do with your wast R-D1 opinions.
Boy, George, why do you even care? You just keep whining, and I will bare you in mind next time I take a look at the Zagat ratings.

 

[iUser]

Have you ever heard of Zagat's restaurant guides? I know there is one for London. They consist of composite reviews of various restaurants based on submissions from those who have eaten at the place. If I read in Zagat's that a restaurant has lousy food and poor service based on the experiences of others - why would I have to check it out myself?

Anyway, enjoy your gear - that's what really matters!

I do and always will.