A new technique for detecting ionizing radiation in 2 dimensions, called kinestatic charge detection, is proposed and analyzed. The technique is useful when the signal photons must be integrated, as in computed tomography and digital radiography, rather than counted, as in nuclear medicine imaging. A generic treatment of the technique with gas-, liquid- or solid-state radiation detectors is presented. A theoretical analysis is given of the fundamental physical parameters required for kinestatic charge detection to be successful.