Any of you guys got any opinions on the new Canon HS approach to sensors?

The ridiculous war to 'up' the pixel count has undoubtedly led to some pretty poor overcrowded sensors with poor image quality from over processed and amplified signals, so I'm REALLY impressed that canon has had the balls to stand up and say enough! So hopefully no more noisy pictures, no more stupidly slow cameras who's processors are struggling with massive pixel counts, and quality of images becoming the more important factor for the camera not PR sound bites.

But then I would say that, I own an original 5D.................

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Hi Darren,

I think you have fairly much summed it up for the compact side of things. Canon have been going that way for a while - the G10 was 14.7MP, while the G11 and G12 are both 10 MP.

Interestingly, I see that Canon have backed-off on the No. of pixels in their pro full frame sensor. The new full frame 18MP 1DX will replace both the H-sized 16MP 1D mkIV and the full frame 21MP 1D mkIII. They have maybe decided that 21MP is enough for anyone stopping at 35 mm equivalent photography - and they are probably correct. I have a C-sized 7D with 18 MP crammed onto it. I've had some of my photos printed at 30 x 20 inches. The resolution at 173 ppi is fine - you stand back a bit to look at a 30 x 20 anyway

They are obviously taking the chance to save having to upkeep 2 pro lines, and by backing off a bit on the 1Ds pixel count they can keep the speed up with their new processors. The 1DX will have up to 14 fps burst mode - that's a whole lot of curtain movement! They will maybe keep the 5D line going with the high pixel count for those who don't need the high burst speed. I quite fancy a move up to a 5D, but I like the 8 fps I get with the 7D and wouldn't go to a 5D unless the next marque is a fair bit faster.

Col

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Heard a rumour that the much anticipated Nikon D800 will be . . . . wait for it . . . . 36 million pixel!


D800

I don't know much about about the HS system yet but I thought I'd chip in on the megapixel debate. It's odd that everyone who has had an apprenticeship in digital photography will tell people to go for lower megapixels in compacts. Just as noticeable is how quickly that advice is ignored.

Didn't Canon also up the sensor size off the G11/G12/S90/S95 at the same time as reducing the pixel count?

If the D800 rumour is true then I fancy that it will only produce top pictures with absolutely top rate glass.

It's going to take so long to process the shot it's also rumoured its burst rate is down to 4fps. Personally I'd rather a higher burst rate lower MP count.

Aye, well, the rumour was that the next Canon 1D was going to be 54 MP, and it ended up being 18!

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