You make sense, yes. And the answer in my knowledge is "no". Not possible. But isn't it really the same? To make the camera smaller or the rest bigger is the same in my eyes (beside that camera scaling is probably quicker, i agree). Only a different way to do it. If you go close to a terrain, use a procedural terrain, then you don't have to worry about resolution!

One day your ship comes in - but you're at the airport.