Megapixels, My Dog, APS-H Sensors & Mirror-less Burst
Sony Announces 3 New DSLRs - Alpha A380, A330 & A230
Megapixels, My Dog, APS-H Sensors & Mirror-less Burst
03 June 2009
Developments in sensor technology have been phenomenon in the last 18 months. So much so that everyone and their dog have either joined or been following the megapixels race. At least, I know my dog has¡ Just try taking pictures of him with anything less than a 9 megapixels camera! However, megapixels count has not been the only issue that photographers have been getting hot and bothered about, there is also the sensor size.
With some compacts trying to stand out with higher quality imaging, we have seen some with larger sensors. Sigma being the first in this genre to actually go all out with an APS-C sized sensor in a compact. Then there is the new breed of Micro Four Thirds which will no doubt become a big hit especially with the expectations of even more compact models on the way. Full Frame sensors has also become more common thanks to the cheaper costs in making sensors as well as increased competition in the Full Frame market thanks to Nikon¡¯s eventual launch of the Nikon D3, despite earlier adamant refusal.
What we now have are cameras of twenty-odd megapixels in the Full Frame market and about fifteen in the APS-C market, both sets delivering improved noise reduction and selectable sensitivity ranging up to ISO 25600. This puts the Canon EOS 1D Mark III in a very awkward position. Taking the sensor out of the equation, the handling and performance of the 1D is beyond reproach but what will its successor be like? Another APS-H sensor?? There are already some expectations that affordable Full Frame sensors should replace APS-C sensors¡ While very unlikely given the number of lenses in the market for the APS-C sized sensor, APS-H cameras have no such concerns. Users of the 1D series can only use EF lenses and so throwing the APS-H format out the window is not an issue at all from a compatibility point of view. You might lose out on the crop factor but the potential gains from the advantages of a larger sensor are still more favourable.
Lighting fast burst speed was previously maintained with the 1D thanks to its smaller sized sensor but that hardly seems to be a problem nowadays with the processing power available to cameras manufacturers. The limiting factor seems more likely with the mechanical parts of the mirror flipping up and down. If manufacturers deliver a mirror lock burst mode option, then we could easily see 20fps coming out from the next 1D model¡ after all, my little holiday Casio FC100 can give 30fps so why not the 1D when I go out to work with it? Sony¡¯s sensor technology already claims to be capable of 300fps, so the new 1D should offer some very interesting specs indeed. So come on Canon, give us a 1D Mark IV that will really make us drool with anticipation!
With some compacts trying to stand out with higher quality imaging, we have seen some with larger sensors. Sigma being the first in this genre to actually go all out with an APS-C sized sensor in a compact. Then there is the new breed of Micro Four Thirds which will no doubt become a big hit especially with the expectations of even more compact models on the way. Full Frame sensors has also become more common thanks to the cheaper costs in making sensors as well as increased competition in the Full Frame market thanks to Nikon¡¯s eventual launch of the 
What we now have are cameras of twenty-odd megapixels in the Full Frame market and about fifteen in the APS-C market, both sets delivering improved noise reduction and selectable sensitivity ranging up to ISO 25600. This puts the 
Lighting fast burst speed was previously maintained with the 1D thanks to its smaller sized sensor but that hardly seems to be a problem nowadays with the processing power available to cameras manufacturers. The limiting factor seems more likely with the mechanical parts of the mirror flipping up and down. If manufacturers deliver a mirror lock burst mode option, then we could easily see 20fps coming out from the next 1D model¡ after all, my little holiday 