Ed Chu wrote:
24mp seems to be the max # on APS-C cameras - how come we don't see a race to see how many we can cram onto an APS-C sensor ( like Sony's new FF A9 with 61 )?
From a response on DP Review: "That being said, there is a max theoretical resolution for any given sized sensor due to the wave-like nature of light. Depending on how you do the math, you get slightly different answers, but it tends to be a few gigapixels for full frame sensors, and a little less than one gigapixel for a micro 4/3 sensor. That's assuming a perfect lens which doesn't exist in reality of course, but still, we're nowhere near the limits or resolution." Try to keep responses simple, but is this true ?
So 20mp will continue to be, more or less, the max for MFT ?
24mp seems to be the max # on APS-C cameras - how... (
show quote)
All that geeky explanation is pointless. Real world answer
is that 16 to 24MP is the sweet spot. Those who are sold
on the MP Olympics believe in things that happen to also
be optimized by a larger sensor size. There's plenty of
test results to prove that what can be gained by using
more MP is further enhanced by having those MP on a
larger sensor. It's science and it's facts ... even tho it's
not visible in photos of real subjects.
FWIW, even those who admit that it only takes 8 - 10MP
to render a truly outstanding image will often insist that
the extra MP are always handy for cropping. Thaz true
only if you've focused with accuracy far beyond normal,
have a super steady hand or tripod [cuz IS doesn't take
cropping into consideration], and other details too many
to discuss ... details never discussed by the "MP are for
cropping" adherents. And hey, some MP freaks do work
on a tripod, use the MF magnifier, base ISO, etc etc cuz
they are technical perfectionists all the way. They are
the users who actually CAN execute major cropping of
high MP images, tho it gives them nightmares to do so ;-)