Megapixel wars: Where do we go from here?

[GL]

Sure ... but why

Will 47mp be of any help to a wedding photographer, who takes 500-1000 shots per event?
Or do we all need 47mp vacation and/or birthday photos?

I'm not against megapixel increases, just trying to figure out who needs so much resolution (in everyday cameras).

My guess, a small (but vocal) number of users - landscapers, studio photographers etc. The vast majority probably don't. I would like to see huge gains in usable dynamic range, and Nikon (via Sony) is making strides in the direction, which can only be a good thing for everyone.

[Neeneko]

While I know it is a pipe dream, personally one of the things I would love to see out of a higher MP sensor someday would be some more flexible CFAs.  A 40MP sensor could easily throw in an IR or UV channel, some other colours, or even throw in some ND pixels and get single-shot HDR which would produce some nice dynamic range.

Sadly, all of those things kinda break from 'just do what you have been doing, but more!'.