Digital limits

[raaf]

Just an open question, what are the technical limits of digital camera's regarding the number of pixels, memory size, video capabilities, processor speed,...

There are physical limits due to wavelength, size and weight and commercial limits regarding prices but what are these limits? Does anyone know?

[Bytephoto]

Very good question, raaf.
Don't have the answer though.
Does 'Moore's Law' come into it here ?

[IcarusFree]

Hopefully knowledgeable people will answer.... great question.

[jerrymeola]

We are a long way from reaching even todays limits. Most of the limits we face are financial.

Look at the fabulous photos NASA gets in outerspace.

the sensor size in the cameras we use are tiny and be increased greatly. Digital backs for 4x5 view cameras are 90 (ninety) megapixels. That is today.

Computer processors are teaching us the ability to manufacture smaller and smaller circuits. There are limits we are approaching in the chips used today. Especially with the smaller chips in the compact cameras. There is a wave length limit at which sensors must be separated but it will just mean larger sensors. DSLRs use larger sensors today.

Computer processors were super fast at 300 mh a couple of years ago and 10 times that today. The chips in our digital cameras will improve for a quite a number of years.

[raaf]

Jerry, thanks for your reaction.

I'm not sure about the size of the sensor. Larger sensors also means bigger lenses and therefor heavier and more expensive camera's.
The processing time and uploading speed has to be improved (90 MP in raw format will take a lot of time).
Anyway, modern digital camera's are improving everyday and so are computers.

[Bytephoto]

Jerry,
It's great to have such a knowledgable answer, as usual...

I think I'll wait, if I can, 6 months or so to get my new 20 mega camera for under 1000USD I'm dreaming maybe !!

[jerrymeola]

to raaf

you are very right about the size and weight of larger sensors. And larger lenses get expensive very fast.

The 4x5 needs a van to move around with all it computer hookups, but we have a long way to go before we reach the size of current day SLR's

The sensor in the current DSLRs are still considerably smaller than the size of a 35mm film. That is why we get the focal length magnification of 1.6X on DSLRs and actually more on compact digital cameras because the sensor is smaller. (Kodak is the only camera using full 35mm size sensors currently). Professional nature photographers love the free conversion of a 300mm to 480mm at no extra cost.

The small sensor is what makes the great zoom ranges and cheap prices available on compact digital cameras.

It really comes down to what you need. A pro who needs a specific result everyday will pay thousands for the solution yet why spend that money for vacation pictures.

My last trip to africa I carried 35 pounds of cameras and lenses everywhere, but would be very tempted to take only my 6 ounce Nikon 4500 and a teleconvertor next time.

[raaf]

Just read in another forum:

Interesting note for the future: if Kodak could produce a 4/3 type sensor with a 2.8 ’…’‚‚µm pixel pitch it would have 31 million pixels, so there is plenty of scope for expansion at this sensor size.

That'll be the day, 31 MP, I'm alreay saving some cash for tomorrow.