Originally posted by pinholecam
Very true.
Circa 2011-12, most cameras have sensors that are actually good enough for most uses, especially so when coupled with a nice fast lens.
In general I'm inclined to agree, at least as cameras are configured now. However, I think one possible future direction will be systems that seamlessly integrate opitical and digital zoom, with extra pixels to maintain image quality at the longer end.
In the short term, I'll be happy if the marketing types continue to push more megapixels. It's something I can actually use, being in the big print business. I don't mind piggybacking on marketing hype and/or buyers' wishful thinking.
Regarding the issue of lens resolution vs. sensor resolution. I think we can wait and see what happens as more 24 megapixel APS-C sensors come out, and people gain real-world experience using them with a variety of lenses.
Makers' decisions about how to proceed with further resolution improvements- full frame sensors vs better lenses for APS-C- will at least in part be based on cost/benefit analysis of which is more cost effective in improving quality.
Of course, there is also the psychological factor of having full frame cameras in a camera lineup as a potential upgrade path, even if most users may never do it. Something like offering a massive lens selection that most people won't fully exploit.
John