A megapixel mega-war in digital cameras

This week marks the first time that the abilities of more affordable professional-level digital cameras may have surpassed the capabilities of most film cameras. Canon has announced an 11 megapixel digital camera to start the resolution war, but yesterday Kodak announced a 14 megapixel camera to up the ante. And in the wings, I have to wonder what Nikon has planned.

Canon's EOS-1Ds, planned for release in November, uses a CMOS imaging sensor rather than the more common CCD sensor to take advantage of power and cost savings of using CMOS sensors. But the 11MP EOS-1Ds will still carry a high-end price tag of roughly $7,600. The Digital Photography Review site offers more details about the Canon camera.

Not to be outdone, Kodak announced the Kodak Pro DCS-14n, a 13.89MP digital SLR that is expected to hit the streets in December at a price around $4,000. DPReview also profiles this camera, which has a magnesium-alloy body built around the form of a Nikon F100/F80 and also uses a CMOS image sensor.

What do these developments mean for everyday digital photographers? Well, for those who can afford the price tag it means that for the first time you can use a digital camera and get the same kind of image quality that studio photographers work with using digital back-ends on SLR cameras that can cost $10,000 or more. It also means that these new digital SLRs can match the image quality of a good film camera. The advances in these professional cameras are sure to filter down to the "pro-sumer" and general consumer cameras over the coming months and years. It is an interesting time for digital photography!

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