 George E. Bowers |
Upgrading pixels in Digital Cameras I do not know the internal workings and design of the digital camera. This lack of knowledge creates my question. We are able to update computers with upgraded programs. Is a digital camera not just a small computer? With the coming of the cameras that exceed 10 megapixels, should we not be able to obtain upgrades to increase the pixel capability? It seems to me that this would make sense. I appreciate your knowledgable response.
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George E. Bowers |
After reviewing the site better, I feel this should have been in " Digital Equipment" rather than imaging. George
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Andy |
This is my understanding that today's digital cameras, even many non digital automatic cameras, all have a circuit board and a CPU inside to control focusing, exposure, etc. Some of the digital cameras (mostly DSLRs) allow you to upgrade the FIRMWARE (an instruction set for newer features or bug fix). However, the pixel count is a PHYSICAL hardware limitation of the image sensor. You cannot "upgrade" the pixel count without physically replace the sensor (or even the entire circuit board), not to mention the manufactuer will not let anyone to do that to protect their profit.
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George E. Bowers |
Andy, Thanks for your response. It has given me a better understanding. I do agree with you with regard to Manufacturer's profits. Built in obsolesence is all around us.
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Jon Close |
I'll take issue with the charge that it is to protect profits and build-in obsolesence. (a) no camera would ever be offered for sale if there were no profit in the exchange.. (b) to add interchangeability to the digital sensor would add significant cost to a product that his extremely price competitive. The sensors and the mounting board would have to be made more robust for user interchangeability, the sensors would all have to be made to a single standard with respect to size, connection and software (whose? Sony? Canon? Panasonic? Nikon? CCD or CMOS?), and even if all that could be solved, you're talking about a very precise operation so that the sensor will properly match the focus system. Unlike symply plugging in memory cards or even upgraded CPU on a computer, the digital sensor requires alignment precision that is beyond the capability of virtually all users. Additionally, upgrading from 4mp to 8mp to 12mp sensors would overwhelm the rest of the camera's circuits with respect to throughput. You'd increase the file writing time by 2x/4x/8x or the camera's system would simply freeze up and crash.
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