[js1138]

I can recall saying this would happen several years ago and being shouted down. At the time I said it a six megapixel camera seemed like a dream. Now I would say that consumer grade cmeras will reach 20 megapixels by the end of the decade.

Semi-pro cameras like the Rebel will have, by the end of the decade, more resolution and more exposure lattitude than Kodachrome, and good noise specs at ISO 1600.

There are theoretical cameras that can be focused after the exposure, a kind of hologram. The crystal ball is cloudy five years from now. But film will disappear from consumer channels.

[tortoise]

Semi-pro cameras like the Rebel will have, by the end of the decade, more resolution and more exposure lattitude than Kodachrome, and good noise specs at ISO 1600.

I recently came into possession of the 8MP Rebel XT. While the Canon S40 I had been using previously left something to be desired in a number of different ways (though never intended for serious work), I have been thrilled with the abilities of the new Canon. It performs as well as I would expect any camera to, and there is definitely something to be said for CMOS SLRs.

I am a total hack of a photographer, but I have to say that the image quality of this new camera is essentially film-like, and handles very nicely.

[Publius6961]

The crystal ball is cloudy five years from now. But film will disappear from consumer channels.

Probably true, but out of sheer necessity and volume, film scanners will continue to improve and sell for much longer than that.
10,000 negs and slides for me alone. Many decades of family and trips worldwide.
Don't plan to visit Pago Pago and the remote end of Ibiza island again any time soon...

[goldstategop]

I disagree... the market for film and one time use cameras will always be around. Its not the consumer market that will disappear, its the high end market. Unlike 8 track and vinyl LD's, there will always be some situations where you want to shoot with film.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[Drew68]

Now I would say that consumer grade cameras will reach 20 megapixels by the end of the decade.

The Hasselblad H2D-39. 39 million pixels. But at the low, low price of only $29,995, I'm not quite sure it is what you'd call "consumer grade."

However, for about 6 or 7 thousand dollars less than the H2D-39 you can pick up a plain ol' Hasselblad H2D with a measly 22 megapixels.

[SauronOfMordor]

I can recall saying this would happen several years ago and being shouted down. At the time I said it a six megapixel camera seemed like a dream. Now I would say that consumer grade cmeras will reach 20 megapixels by the end of the decade.

I'm thinking that improvement may concentrate more on having more bits/pixel. Unless you're blowing up the picture to poster size, you don't need 20 mp