Megapixel/sensor question: Hi everyone, I am relatively new to digital photography but not to photography in general. Trying to find an answer to my question. The number of megapixels...

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

Hi everyone, I am relatively new to digital photography but not to photography in general. Trying to find an answer to my question. The number of megapixels keep getting larger and larger and yet sensor size stays the same. It means that pixel size is getting smaller and smaller. I read a number of articles on the subject and many agree that the size of the pixel way more important than number of pixels for IQ. And yet all new Nikon DX cameras are 24MP and people are saying that images are getting better.
If I choose to buy a new camera it would be 24MP because they all are. If the pixel size is more important why its getting smaller? What do you think? Thank you in advance.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

I believe that some of the issue is related to advances in technology. As the research and development continue, they are able to create sensors with smaller pixels that can capture as much or more detail than previously. As this happens the smaller P&S cameras get more pixels and produce better pics, but then the "crop" and "FF" sensors can get even more pixels on them and produce larger and better images.

It has worked the same with the "Glass" in the lenses. As time goes on the smaller lenses have gotten better and better to the point that they now are as good or better than some of the early SLR lenses.

Musket Loc: ArtBallin'

It doesnt matter to 99% of all who pick up a Digital Camera. Its a splitting hairs topic.

While is true they are shoving more pixels per sensor, they are also improving the image processor in those cameras to match the sensor pixel sizes.

While I have a 36mp camera, I tend to get just as amazing product out of my 16mp camera as well.

Whats more important than the pixels, is the glass you put in front of those sensors. Its a shame people rush after megapixel numbers instead of first focusing (hurr)on the glass.

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

Whats more important than the pixels, is the glass you put in front of those sensors. Its a shame people rush after megapixel numbers instead of first focusing (hurr)on the glass.[/quote]

Thank you, it makes sense to me. I like my D200 and want to keep using it. Like you said - I'll focus on getting a better lens.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Technology is amazing. The biggest difference you will see with high MP count sensors is in the size of quality prints you can produce. Larger files will result in larger print capability.

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

Yes, technology is amazing, but don't you think sometimes that with all this technology we going further away from the art of photography?
Even my original question, it's about sensor, megapixels.
It's more like technology question than photography.

Musket Loc: ArtBallin'

What is lost between framing up a shot with your eye, then raising the camera to eye and pressing button? When did the art leave that process?

I have traded in a darkroom and dodging and burning tools for Lightroom which is a direct translation of those tools. I have given up ISO 50 slide and ISO 100-400 base films for a Sensor that while cannot capture the full DR of film (getting close though)allows me to continue that extension of film work with something much faster and easy to use.

The art hasnt changed, the tool box has.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Twenty-three years ago, my portable phone weights ten pounds and the battery lasted less than an hour. My iPhone weighs about five ounces and I can talk for six to eight hours. Miniaturization comes in many forms. Most miniature devices today are high tech. A modern P&S camera produces images much better than a 150 year old 16 X 20 wet plate camera. Miniaturization is a form of progress, some of it bad, but, in the case of pixels, a powerful piece of progress.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Musket wrote:

It doesnt matter to 99% of all who pick up a Digit... (show quote)

Nikon makes a D900??

Bigfoot73 Loc: Canada

dandi wrote:

Whats more important than the pixels, is the glass you put in front of those sensors. Its a shame people rush after megapixel numbers instead of first focusing (hurr)on the glass.

Thank you, it makes sense to me. I like my D200 and want to keep using it. Like you said - I'll focus on getting a better lens.[/quote]
....................................
Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph. Matt Hardy ....
Every time I take my camera it crosses my mind. If you make normal size prints, than D200 is a beast, You don't need MegaPixels. Rushing for more megapixels won't make a better picture - just bigger .. But a better glass definitely makes a difference ...

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Mogul wrote:

Twenty-three years ago, my portable phone weights ten pounds and the battery lasted less than an hour. My iPhone weighs about five ounces and I can talk for six to eight hours. Miniaturization comes in many forms. Most miniature devices today are high tech. A modern P&S camera produces images much better than a 150 year old 16 X 20 wet plate camera. Miniaturization is a form of progress, some of it bad, but, in the case of pixels, a powerful piece of progress.

Why are flat screen TV's getting ever bigger?

Peekayoh Loc: UK

dandi wrote:

Hi everyone, I am relatively new to digital photog... (show quote)

Because it's not all that important, what counts most is the technology employed and sensor size. Nikon is not stupid!

The real question is why do you think you need a new camera, where does your existing camera let you down?

I will say that the D7100 will outperform your D200 in every way you can imagine; whether you need the extra it provides, only you can say.

hb3 Loc: Texas

Musket wrote:

It doesnt matter to 99% of all who pick up a Digit... (show quote)

Enough said.....
:thumbup: :thumbup:

cthahn

dandi wrote:

Hi everyone, I am relatively new to digital photog... (show quote)

First of all manufacturers are all heading toward FF, full frame sensors which are approximately 2.25 larger than a cropped sensor. A FF sensor is equivalent to a 35mm slide which we all used to use. There is a megapixel race on between all manufactures and this is used as a selling tool to have the largest megapixel camera. It is more than megapixels, it is also the software used to process the information from the sensor. This is a good question you asked and it will be find someone knowledgeable to give a good answer. Check the size of the sensor on a point and shoot, bridge camera, and cell phone camera. Very small, but lots of megapixels.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

dandi wrote:

Yes, technology is amazing, but don't you think sometimes that with all this technology we going further away from the art of photography?
Even my original question, it's about sensor, megapixels.
It's more like technology question than photography.

Good point, but I like to think that improved technology in cameras helps to produced improved prints on the wall. If I can enlarge more and keep detail, that's a good thing. Try to enlarge a print from an Instamatic from the 60's, and it won't compare to one from a D800.