We’re quite convinced that most of our readers are well aware of that numbers in specifications should just be considered a guideline and not proof of what the product can really. Manufacturers have been striding for higher clock frequencies, more memory or like on the digital camera market, more pixels. What makes the digital camera market a great example of this is that a higher number of pixels isn’t just unnecessary, it may even be a disadvantage. On the other hand, higher clock frequencies or more memory rarely have a negative impact on performance.
Over at Wired.com they’ve published an article that brings up the megapixel war on the digital camera market, why this has to end and which features you should be focusing on when picking a new camera. Even though they’re not entirely on the mark in all of their explanation as to why the war has to end, the attempt to unveil some of the downsides of this stride for more pixels is well worth highlighting.
Similar specification wars can bee seen on a daily in most markets, but the digital camera markets is the best example of a market that has gotten out of hand. The compact cameras suffer the worst since there everything is about pixels, while optics and the real features are secondary. Below are some good links for those who wants to know more about the ongoing pixel frenzy.
:: dpreview – Pixel density: when Moore is less
:: Noise, Dynamic Range and Bit Depth in Digital SLRs
