Thoughts on Current Photo Tackle

Of course the S50 is a point-and-shoot and has a tiny CCD sensor; it can't begin to compete with a CMOS DSLR like the 1Ds, the 10D, or even my antique D30. Yet the more I think about current DSLR's the less satisfied I am with them, at least with DSLR's that mimic 35mm SLR's. Two problems stand out:

1) They perpetuate the stupid 2/3 aspect ratio, which has crippled small-format photography since the beginning. I don't know why Oscar Barnack chose that ratio, but it was a mistake. It forces makers to build a lens that covers the long dimension, which means big lenses, especially zooms, and big compromises in optical design. Yet few subjects apart from landscapes and langourous ladies fit well into 2/3, and it's hard to use vertically. 3/4 is a far better ratio, and that's become the standard for cheap digicams. That's what I'd prefer.

2) Loss of resolution. Except for the expensive 1Ds (and the failed Kodak and Contax), DSLR's have sensors of roughly APS size. Yet you're obliged to use standard lenses with 24 x 36mm coverage. As a result you're effectively reducing every lens's definition by 3/5. And of course you also have trouble getting wide angle.

Some new lenses are being designed for the smaller format, but it'll take a long time for Canon or Nikon to duplicate their 35mm offerings in miniature. Meanwhile of course there are no third-party offerings, no second-hand market, etc.