Originally posted by GeneralBenson Right. Because my only complaint with the K20d was that it needed 6 more megapixels. I hope this isn't true, aps-c or FF. If Nikon is still putting out 12mp FF's, that smoke the competition in hish ISO IQ, then why doesn't everyone feel the need to keep pushing the bar?
Well, the D700 does smokes competition vs. APS-C, but when measured against the 21 Mpix 5DII, the difference is slim up to ISO 3200. Beyond, the D700 is getting better and better than the 5DII as ISO goes up, though. (Both these cameras are better than Sony's A900/A850, thanks to much better noise reduction algorithms. Sony still has a lot to learn to stand up against Canon and Nikon.)
Anyways, 21 Mpix on a FF is like about 9 Mpix on an APS-C, still below the actual APS-C average of 12-14 Mpix. So a new Pentax 21 Mpix FF sensor would have less noise than the K-x using Pentax's actual noise reduction and a similar sensor design.
But you got a point: who needs more Mpix? Not a lot of people indeed. Most would trade the added Mpix for better high ISO performance anytime, and that's why there are cameras like the D700 out there.
But some need that extra resolution, and that's where the 5D Mk II comes in. This camera is actually chewing a bit at the digital medium format market because of its high resolution. I bet the next 1Ds Mk IV will have between 25 and 30 Mpix. As long as there will be people in search of more IQ at a lower cost, the manufacturers will keep pushing the bar, for better or worse.
After many years doing event photography, I'm getting more and more advertisement assignements, and in this kind of business, resolution often matters. These days, I need more Mpix than a higher ISO. (I did rent the 5DII a couple of times to get access to such resolution, in fact.)
If Pentax launches a FF DSLR, I want it to be at least 18 Mpix, no less.
Using the same sensor materials and design, a FF camera with 2.25 times the surface area of an APS-C camera equals roughly 2.25 times more pixels with similar noise performance. I'd go with a 22-27 Mpix FF camera at any time, since it would have the noise performance of a 10-12 Mpix APS-C camera.
I think the trend is that MPix race will keep going on, at least for FF cameras.
In APS-C however, the Mpix race is reaching its limits, as we can see with the 7D. If Pentax launches a 21 Mpix APS-C camera, I'll pass on this one unless it gets awesome reviews for its high ISO quality.
Because what I need is, of course, 6 more Mpix on my K-7 sensor to get more noise at ISO 800 and above.
Joke aside, I really wish it will be full frame and I really, really wish it will have full HD video with FULL manual control. So I can use the excellent Pentax glass when shooting videos instead of having to buy a 5DII and some Canon glass.