[SallyIsNice5]

the problem is 29% of increase in the number of photosites don't translate into 29% increase in photon or light collecting power of the photosites. it actually effects them in reverse, each photosite having less area to gather light results in more artifacts in low light situations, and the total benefit of increasing 6 to 10mpixel doesn't translate into 29% increase in iso performance or per pixel detail.

if you go with higher pixel = higher everything quality then iso3200 of a sony a200 sensor should be as good quality as iso1600 of a 6mpixel d40, which is nowhere to be true.