And then...

On the long term, we are moving towards smaller and smaller sensor matrices with smaller and smaller pixels... but the laws of optics and particularly the law of diffraction, will call us to order when pixel size will approximate the limit of visible wavelength. In this context, it is possible to endlessly increase the sensor resolution... without changing the optics format (Philips sensor, 8000 x 9000 pixels measures 11cm by 9cm).

Some projects of giant matrices, resulting from the association of large focal sensors (Focal Plane Arrays) are already used in astronomy. So, we have projects such as SNAP(Supernovae Acceleration Probe) of 440 Megapixels (36 x 4k x 4k) or LSST (Large Synoptic Survey Telescope) of 3.2 Gigapixels (200 x 4k x 4k).

Finally, one last solution consists in stitching in gigapanoramique, by correlating the edges, high resolution photographs from a scanning of the area to be imaged...