Prototype gigapixel camera incorporates 98 microcameras

While one gigapixel can yield extraordinary detail, something I see as more useful is that very high pixel counts make digital zoom practical. With one gigapixel, an image zoomed 10 times, digitally, would yield an 8 megapixel image. If 10x zoom isn't enough, used with a moderate optical zoom of say, 2x, gives a combined 20x. By comparison, an optical 20x zoom is bigger, heavier, more expensive & less optically accurate.

http://www.gizmag.com/prototype-50-gigapixel-camera/23046/

/ photography optical /