Yes Virginia

There is a Santa Claus. Can a major camera producer create a new sensor that has nearly double the pixel count (and reduce pixel pitch from 8 microns to 6.4 microns) AND actually improve low-noise ISO performance? The answer is now out and it is a resounding YES.

Here's a test of the Canon 5d and the Canon 5d Mark II from DxO Labs that shows the improvements in basic sensor science over a three year period:

• Colour depth improves from 22.9 to 23.7 (3.5%)
• Dynamic range improves from 11.1 to 11.9 (7.2%)
• Low-light ISO performance improves from 1368 to 1815 (32.7%)
• No. of pixels goes from 12.8 meg to 21.1 meg (64.8%)
• Pixel size goes from 8 microns to 6.4 micros (-20%)

So, there you have it...new technology that nets a huge gain in sensor resolution AND improves all facets of sensor performance.

Isn't science grand?