I found this great essay on the state of the digital imaging market at Outback Photo today, and thought some of you would like it too: http://www.outbackphoto.com/essays/essay017/essay.html

After reading it, I thought of a few questions for discussion:
1) Do you think camera technology has advanced enough for photographers not to be burdened by their equipment? Or in other words, if all camera development stopped today, would you be happy to shoot with what's currently available?

2) Since all film SLRs basically have the same image quality regardless of price, do you think we'll get to a point with digital sensors where all DSLRs (at least from the same company) will look the same?

3) The last 5 years has been all about megapixels. What do you predict the biggest trend for the next 5 years will be?

 

To be honest, If I were oblivious to cameras above the origional 10d and d70, I probably wouldn't complain so much about my rebel. The biggest picture I have printed remains 8 1/2x 11
I think that is my answer to numero uno.

Well, at a specific sensor size, yes. I imagine the medium/large format stuff will be there too, but again at the same quality. I don't know at what point they will start putting 35 mm sensors in p&s cams, but again you said slr's, so i'm just rambling.

I think megapixles will continue for a bit more, but i have no idea whats next. I would imagine it would be decided in a marketing meeting.

 

My unqualified

1. I'm sure that at the Pro-Sumer level, it has advanced beyond the acceptable level. I think the next challenge is making the P&S cameras faster and bring IS to lower models and price points.

2. My guess is that there will necessarily be a difference between cameras at different price points. Whether the sensor becomes the differentiating factor is up in the air.

3. See #1