Resolution and size

May sound stupid but here is my question.

1. If the D300 and D700/D3 have the same pixel count doesent that mean if a photo is framed for the same picture on

both cameras the photo on D3/D700 is spred out to a 1x1.5 format with the same pixel count (pixels per inch).

2. Actually the pixel count for the picture should be less since I understand that the pixels along the border are used

for dark noise measurements so that would leave less pixels on the D3/D700 with the larger form for the picture.

3. Is the sensor engineering that improved on the larger cell to make up for the difference.

4. To me the real answer would be the D3x with a 24 meg format which would give a closer pixel count per inch to a

D300 for the whole 1x1.5 sensor.

Larger sensor cells have a higher signal to noise ratio and larger capacity, which leads to a greater dynamic range. The D3/D700 are reported to have a 12 stop dynamic range in the 14 bit/channel mode. The D2x has a dynamic range (reported by DPReview.com) of 8 stops (12 bits/channel RAW). The D300 has less noise than the D2x, and a 24MP FX camera with the same technology would probably be comparable, but not as good as the 12.1MP D3/D700.

 

A 22MP medium format back would have about the same pixel density as the D3/D700, but with a 16 bit/channel response and 12 stops dynamic range. The price is considerably higher as well.

 

Like everything else, you have to compromise on technology (and price) to achieve your goals.

It's not about pixels: larger sensor = less noise at higher ISO, and the ability to use FX lenses as they were intended.

I don't pretend to have all the answers but if you are shooting at low mag, a denser pixel count will cover the detal focused on the chip. At high mag, there is less info falling on the chip and does not require a denser pixel count. "microscopy" it may apply here too.

With the new chips, CMOS or CCD are too good to bitch about. Not sure what you are looking for.

Some of the best photographs are not about resolution but it's purpose and composition not engineering.

Thats what I am working on.