Author Topic: Megapixels going UP....... (Read 20079 times)

hatman12 · « **on:** January 24, 2008, 18:31 »

With the announcements of 12mp and 14mp from Pentax, 14mp from Samsung, the new 12mp Canon etc etc it seems that 12mp will shortly be the starting point for DSLRs.

I have considered changing my D200 for a D300 or D2Xs, but at 12mp only, these cameras now look very expensive compared to the new competition.

No doubt Nikon and Sony will have their own announcements at PMA, and there are already rumours of a 14mp model from Nikon and possibly a high speed D3 to come before the Olympics.

So I'll stay with my D200 for a while and see what happens.

Graffoto · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2008, 18:39 »

With the new 12+ megapixel dSLRs being crop sensor cameras, I feel that these entry level offerings are not going to be great for stock. Can you say 'chromatic abberation'?

The fact that the Canon 5D still has not been seriously challenged on IQ (at least at lower ISOs) speaks to the fact that the laws of physics have not yet been made moot.

sharpshot · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2008, 19:17 »

I hope they don't just keep on cramming in more and more pixels. The sigma foveon sensor produces good results with less MP's. Larger sensors have more room for quality MP's. I was disappointed with the canon 400d after using a 300d. It didn't produce the quality I had expected with the extra MP's. In the end, I bought a 5d, as the quality is far superior to the smaller sensors.

hatman12 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2008, 23:36 »

Yes, you're right there sharpshot. At present the 5D appears to be the 'perfect' instrument for microstock in terms of quality and price.

I don't think it makes any sense to go beyond that, unless one wants to contribute to the RM agencies of course which is a different kettle of fish.

I certainly don't think Yuri's strategy of changing to Hasselblad makes any sense at all for microstock.

If Nikon launch a '5D equivalent' I'd buy it immediately, but the prospect of that looks like being a year or more away.

Bateleur · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2008, 01:54 »

Quote from: hatman12 on January 24, 2008, 23:36

At present the 5D appears to be the 'perfect' instrument for microstock in terms of quality and price ...

If Nikon launch a '5D equivalent' I'd buy it immediately, but the prospect of that looks like being a year or more away.

Isn't the D3 Nikon's equivalent?

ale1969 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2008, 02:00 »

Quote from: hatman12 on January 24, 2008, 23:36

If Nikon launch a '5D equivalent' I'd buy it immediately, but the prospect of that looks like being a year or more away.

So true, it seems more than 1 year for sure. We can hope for Fuji S6 with F mount though.

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2008, 06:10 »

Quote from: Bateleur on January 25, 2008, 01:54

Isn't the D3 Nikon's equivalent?

5D is a mid priced full-frame. D3 is over twice as much.

stokfoto · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2008, 08:17 »

Quote from: Nazdravie on January 25, 2008, 06:10

Quote from: Bateleur on January 25, 2008, 01:54
Isn't the D3 Nikon's equivalent?

5D is an mid priced full-frame. D3 is over twice as much.

agree and I'd call D300 is more equal to 5D rather than D3.my personal choice will be 5D though:)

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2008, 08:42 »

5D is definately an attractive option. But I'm carrying the Nikon flag so I'm pretty anxious to see what's coming out at PMA. If it's only a D40X replacement then I'm picking up a D300.

ale1969 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2008, 08:48 »

Quote from: Nazdravie on January 25, 2008, 08:42

5D is definately an attractive option. But I'm carrying the Nikon flag so I'm pretty anxious to see what's coming out at PMA. If it's only a D40X replacement then I'm picking up a D300.

I was tempted to pick up the d300 but sincerely I don't find the 14 bits enough of a reason to spend 1300-1400 euro and get rid of my beloved d80 whose 10mb I can get as noiseless as they can possibly be for still life images with the appropriate postproduction tecniques.

I'd spend that money more productevely on a 85mm micro tilt lens and wait for a full frame for people who don't need to shot sports or news.

epixx · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2008, 09:37 »

Quote from: Nazdravie on January 25, 2008, 08:42

5D is definately an attractive option. But I'm carrying the Nikon flag so I'm pretty anxious to see what's coming out at PMA. If it's only a D40X replacement then I'm picking up a D300.

I believe it's the D80 that is due for replacement. It's not competitive against the 40D or K20D anymore. The new one will most likely have the D300 sensor and viewfinder, but in a plastic body like the D80.

photojay · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2008, 09:50 »

This whole Megapixel craze has really outlived it's usefulness, in my opinion. As stated above, the 5D proves that a bigger sensor with less pixels will far out-perform the APS-C sized sensors with more pixels crammed in, even if the bit depth is greater. I was a hair away from buying a 5D, but chose the cheaper 40D, as I am just getting started in MS, but had I had another $800 to drop, the 5D would have been my choice, hands down. I also have a few EF-S lenses that I didn't want to lose use of with the full frame of the 5d, even though I still have my 350D (which feels like a toy compared to the 40D).

Bottom line is that I think that, just like SLR users measure focal lengths according to a 35mm standard rather than the 2x, 3x, 4x of a P&S, there should be a different measuring stick for sensors than the "effective pixels". Any suggestions on what that measuring stick terminology might be? I like the the "LPH" system that DPreview uses to show the the resolution up to 4000 LPH. That is a great measuring tool.

Secretariat · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2008, 22:18 »

Quote from: epixx on January 25, 2008, 09:37

Quote from: Nazdravie on January 25, 2008, 08:42
5D is definately an attractive option. But I'm carrying the Nikon flag so I'm pretty anxious to see what's coming out at PMA. If it's only a D40X replacement then I'm picking up a D300.

I believe it's the D80 that is due for replacement. It's not competitive against the 40D or K20D anymore. The new one will most likely have the D300 sensor and viewfinder, but in a plastic body like the D80.

The rumors does speak pretty strongly for a D40X replacement as Nazdravie says. And just as the argument against a 'FX D300' - it would effectively be a D3 - so I think the model you mention would be too close to a D300, eating into sales while its selling like mad at the moment. Nikon should know better than compete against itself - but, we'll see in a weeks time

epixx · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2008, 23:45 »

Quote from: Secretariat on January 27, 2008, 22:18

The rumors does speak pretty strongly for a D40X replacement as Nazdravie says. And just as the argument against a 'FX D300' - it would effectively be a D3 - so I think the model you mention would be too close to a D300, eating into sales while its selling like mad at the moment. Nikon should know better than compete against itself - but, we'll see in a weeks time

Nikon obviously knows very well that they shouldn't compete against themselves, so a cheaper FX camera would probably be much cheaper, even cheaper than the D300, and with a limited feature-set. Probably something in the direction of an FX D40 or D80, but for almost D300 price. That would be an ideal camera for studio use, stock photography, weddings etc., and would sell in huge volumes, probably more than the relatively successful 5D.

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2008, 00:31 »

My guess is that Nikon will keep the D40 as the starter DSLR and combine features of the D80 and D300 to make a new model that will compete with the new EOS 450D.

Maybe a D90 with...

- D80-size body
- 12MP CMOS from the D300
- 3" LCD w/Liveview
- Mostly everything else carried over

Danicek · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2008, 02:23 »

I'm always surprised to see this MP war in DSLR area. I understand why they do it in PSs. People buy those without knowing much. And the more MP you have on the flashy sticky thing on your camera, the more buyers you will get.

Much more educated buyers go for DSLRs, so I don't think anyone is really looking for more pixels they would have to pay for with IQ.

Secretariat · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2008, 13:54 »

Quote from: Nazdravie on January 28, 2008, 00:31

My guess is that Nikon will keep the D40 as the starter DSLR and combine features of the D80 and D300 to make a new model that will compete with the new EOS 450D.

Maybe a D90 with...

- D80-size body
- 12MP CMOS from the D300
- 3" LCD w/Liveview
- Mostly everything else carried over

I agree that thats certainly coming but not now. The D80 came out about a year after the D200 and I suppose the same timeframe is logical for the D300 and D90. It does seem to be the smart business decision but who knows. I myself am getting the D300.

Theres also the question of Nikons production capability: the factories at Sendai and in Thailand is supposedly maxed out at the moment (I believe its something like 12.000 D3's and 60.000 D300's per month, respectively).

By the way, thats also why we're probably not going see another FX soon: the demand for the D3 is far from being met and theres really nowhere for a new FX to be produced. Besides, FX sensors are expensive to make.

EDIT: I just found Thom Hogans predictions for 2008, I'll quote them here for what theyre worth:

Quote

D3x: announced as early as spring, certainly before the 2008 Olympics (August).
D3 body, new Sony FX sensor
Certainly over 20mp if the Sony sensor is used (there were other sensors tested at a lower megapixel level, most notably 18mp, but I'm guessing that we won't see them).
Probably max 5fps.
D80x: announced early 2008, ship shortly after. Could be named D90.
The 12-bit Sony version (IMX021) of the 12mp sensor used in the D300
15-segment AF
D40/D40x replacements: announced mid-2008, ship immediately
This is the tough one to predict, but I'm guessing 10mp, Live View
Change in AF system, but to what?
As of late December 2007, the D40x production has stopped (i.e. final D40x models made), making this prediction even more likely
What, no smaller FX body?
Not in 2008; 2009 at the earliest. First off, Nikon won't be able to make D3/D3x sensors fast enough, so adding another FX sensor to the mix is likely not in the cards for 2008.
Question for next year: 12mp or 18mp? Given the D3's success, I'm now saying 12mp. I'd be happy with that.

http://www.bythom.com/2008predictions.htm

modellocate · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2008, 18:41 »

Just my 2 cents: I shoot 12+ MP, but most of my sales are smaller sizes(whether that says something about my work or about 12MP I don't know). I dream of shooting 20 or 30 MP, but I wonder if it would really increase sales that much...

hatman12 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2008, 19:31 »

Well it looks like a Nikon D60, 10.2mp with knobs and whistles is coming....

I'd like a D3 junior, but I think that won't be launched until next year.

vonkara · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2008, 19:40 »

I want a Nikon FX 16 mpx... I don't talk about the D3x here. The D3x will have more than 20. It's time that Nikon move for the professional in my opinion.

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2008, 20:31 »

Quote from: hatman12 on January 28, 2008, 19:31

Well it looks like a Nikon D60, 10.2mp with knobs and whistles is coming....

I'd like a D3 junior, but I think that won't be launched until next year.

Well, I hope they have something else coming out because that would be a pretty big gap between a D60 and D300.

Wierd... Canon seems to have made the 40D and 450D too close in specs and Nikon may be leaving a big gaping hole.

I still think a D90 would be a good idea.

hatman12 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 28, 2008, 23:24 »

Yep - they appear to be launching twenty new compact cameras...

... but more importantly THREE new tilt/shift lenses.

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #22 on:** January 29, 2008, 00:04 »

I must be missing something here. Nikon seems to have played this whole camera release game masterfully with the D300 and D3.

I just saw the official D60 press release. Uhhhhh, it's a freakin D40x with a couple of new features, one of which is the new D60 badge.

I really hope they have something else up their sleeve than this.

epixx · « **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2008, 00:52 »

Quote from: hatman12 on January 28, 2008, 23:24

Yep - they appear to be launching twenty new compact cameras...

... but more importantly THREE new tilt/shift lenses.

I'd take one of those tilt/shift lenses over a new camera any day. Perfect for product as well as architectural photography. The only problem is: They are not cheap, and I've forgotten where I've hidden that large pile of money

ale1969 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 29, 2008, 01:18 »

Quote from: epixx on January 29, 2008, 00:52

Quote from: hatman12 on January 28, 2008, 23:24
Yep - they appear to be launching twenty new compact cameras...

... but more importantly THREE new tilt/shift lenses.

I'd take one of those tilt/shift lenses over a new camera any day. Perfect for product as well as architectural photography. The only problem is: They are not cheap, and I've forgotten where I've hidden that large pile of money

Same here. I think we can just hope the old 85mm tilt micro will sell for a lower price than actual (about 1200-1300 euro). That would still be the perfect lens for shooting products especially food (for nikonians I mean, Canon have a wider range of tilt lens).

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Author Topic: Megapixels going UP....... (Read 20079 times)

hatman12

Graffoto

sharpshot

hatman12

Bateleur

ale1969

PaulieWalnuts

stokfoto

PaulieWalnuts

ale1969

epixx

photojay

Secretariat

epixx

PaulieWalnuts

Danicek

Secretariat

modellocate

hatman12

vonkara

PaulieWalnuts

hatman12

PaulieWalnuts

epixx

ale1969

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