Sharp announces 12-megapixel sensor for compact digital cameras

We should really know by now, but you just can't convince everyone that more isn't always better. While we've already seen less-than-stellar results from the bevy of compact cameras touting unnecessarily large 10-megapixel sensors, Sharp is apparently preying on any remaining clueless consumers by unveiling a sure-to-be-disappointing 12-megapixel 1/1.7-inch sensor for wee cameras. The prodigiously small photosite (just 1.88 microns) generally means "less sensitivity, higher noise, and an even higher requirement on the lens optics" than current 2 micron models. Nevertheless, Sharp is hoping to ship these sensors en masse starting January 2007 at a cost of ¥7,500 ($64) each.

[Via PhotographyBLOG]

[BillyWarhol @ Nov 9th 2006 1:23PM]

Yeah i've never been able to quite figger out all this Hoopla over ridiculous amounts of Megapixels for the Average consumer user. The makers of Digital Cameras have consistently put out Cams with every Feature under the Sun except 1. They can't take a Great Photograph!!

;))

My old EPSON PhotoPC500 which is almost 10 years old is still thee best cam i've ever seen for taking brilliant, bright, vivid Colours & natural skintones on People. Shots done with a Flash in low lighting conditions turned out Amazing!! Even these Fancy Top o the Line Nikons & Canons can't hold a candle to it.

I would actually like to produce a New Digicam based on the EPSON's old specs but with some o the new Features like Built in LCD & Removable Memory storage. Sadly the subsequent Cameras Epson pout out produced poor Brownish photgraphs???

Newer sadly isn't always better.

Cheers!! Billy ;))

http://www.BillionDollarBaloney.blogspot.com

http://www.Flickr.com/photos/BillyWarhol

[Rod @ Nov 9th 2006 2:09PM]

To the above person:
That's because you're either color blind or are in dire need of glasses for your eyes, not your camera.
Comparing your little piece of crap point and shoot to top of the line Nikon and Canon, which would be D2X and D1 Mark II and some random letters, is such an absurd idea that it doesn't even warrant a response.
Please shut up.

[NeoteriX @ Nov 9th 2006 2:10PM]

It's a massive conspiracy where the sensor companies have teamed up with the flash memory/memory card manufacturers to have us buy larger and larger cards for the same amount of photos :)

[Rod @ Nov 9th 2006 2:13PM]

I do agree on one point though- for these little P&S with 1 nanometer squared sensors, more megapixel at this point just isn't the answer.
10 is already pushing it.
Put bigger sensors in a small package and there might be actual improvements in IQ, rather than just size of the file

[b00tleg @ Nov 9th 2006 2:14PM]

Next they are going to add 15MP to the 7 bladed razor

[Jaredude @ Nov 9th 2006 3:22PM]

LOL When is that 7 bladed razor coming out!?! I need to get one :-P

[rems @ Nov 9th 2006 2:32PM]

2. At usual sensitivity 4 time 300 ten thousand pixel still photographing possible < RJ21Y3DA0ET >

I just wish I could understand this sentence because to my eyes right now it's just sens less.
This sentence is explaining the sensitivity of the photosites

[Rene Davila @ Nov 9th 2006 6:55PM]

Wow, Some day soon the digital cameras will have better resolution than real life

[Chris @ Nov 9th 2006 9:58PM]

Billy,

You are kidding us, right?

PhotoPC - http://tinyurl.com/y9e5f4
1D Mark II - http://tinyurl.com/yb3zey

By the way, thanks Engadget for getting it right.

[James @ Nov 9th 2006 11:23PM]

To be fair, I don't think Billy intended to compare his Epson to the latest and greatest digital SLRs. Still, more megapixels on a smaller sensor = bad juju.

[Rod @ Nov 10th 2006 3:08AM]

If you ever advertise your blog site again, try to do it without your foot in the mouth.