Another stupid megapixel question
Dec 13, 2011 18:18:14 #
rayford2
Loc: New Bethlehem, PA
Let's say I have two upper end bridge cameras or DSLRs and everything about these cameras are equal except the advertised sensor megapixel count.
I'm taking the same pictures at the same settings with both cameras (click).
Now I find I can "zoom" these photos in an imaging program to bring something in close.
Will the higher megapixel camera give me better resolution than the lower megapix will at the same zoom level? Let's say one camera was 8mp and the other 12mp.
I'm burying my head, don't hit me too hard.
I'm taking the same pictures at the same settings with both cameras (click).
Now I find I can "zoom" these photos in an imaging program to bring something in close.
Will the higher megapixel camera give me better resolution than the lower megapix will at the same zoom level? Let's say one camera was 8mp and the other 12mp.
I'm burying my head, don't hit me too hard.
Dec 13, 2011 18:32:31 #
rayford2 wrote:
Let's say I have two upper end bridge cameras or ... (show quote)
It should also the higher mp camera will allow a larger enlargement or more cropping to take place before the quality of the image degrades, the only other variable certain models and brands have less noise at higher iso settings.
Dec 13, 2011 19:02:54 #
artlover
Loc: NM
Go to Google and do your research on the question of MPX.
Camera co's are bringing out upgrades every 3-4 months.
Do you want to cover your entire wall or get 20X30 wall hangers.
The eye of the beholder. They are now up to what (16) for
"regular" digital. They each have special features that smaller
ones don't have. 14's now sell for about $130. Get one that has
the feel you can live with. Lots of pix or just occasional ?
Get some beginners books at the library. Have fun.
It can get very complicated and can also be very simple. :-)
Camera co's are bringing out upgrades every 3-4 months.
Do you want to cover your entire wall or get 20X30 wall hangers.
The eye of the beholder. They are now up to what (16) for
"regular" digital. They each have special features that smaller
ones don't have. 14's now sell for about $130. Get one that has
the feel you can live with. Lots of pix or just occasional ?
Get some beginners books at the library. Have fun.
It can get very complicated and can also be very simple. :-)
Dec 13, 2011 20:32:07 #
If everything else is equal then the higher megapixel count will allow you to blow up the picture further without degradation.
But, the diference between 8 and 12 isn't all that much. Remember physics and the rule of fours. This rule loosely translated means that for that 8 megapixel camera to be twice as sharp it needs to be a 32 megapixel camera.
But, the diference between 8 and 12 isn't all that much. Remember physics and the rule of fours. This rule loosely translated means that for that 8 megapixel camera to be twice as sharp it needs to be a 32 megapixel camera.
Dec 14, 2011 06:20:30 #
Generally the 12 megapixel will do better if the size and quality of each megapixel is the same. If the 12 megapixel camera is much newer the computer in the camera should also do a better job.
Dec 14, 2011 06:50:58 #
Dec 14, 2011 07:36:20 #
rayford2 wrote:
Let's say I have two upper end bridge cameras or ... (show quote)
Rayford,
The higher MP camera should allow cropping and enlarging much better.
George
Dec 14, 2011 07:46:46 #
The higher MP camera should give you better enlargements, but you will sacrifice noise at higher ISO. You really need to decide just how large of a print you are going to make. If you are not going into the mega enlargements you just might not need the high MP camera.
Dec 14, 2011 07:54:15 #
As long as the enlargement (what happens when you crop) keeps the pixels per inch (ppi) above an acceptable minimum (about 240 ppi for prints), you won't see any difference in print quality. Pixels are all about picture size... nothing else. Google "pixels vs picture size" for a more comprehensive explanation. More pixels give larger enlargements, not better, clearer pictures.
Dec 14, 2011 08:54:55 #
Lucian
Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio
A lot of people get too caught up in megapixel numbers only. However,there is something else to consider which is much more important, and that is the size of the image sensor. You can have more megapixels on a smaller sensor yet get better enlarged images from a less megapixel sensor but with a larger imaging sensor.
For example the image sensor in the DSLR Canon or Nikon are almost always (read that... ALMOST) larger than a point and shoot camera's image sensor. So check the sensor dimensions, and of course the type of sensor that is being used. If those things are equal in your hypothetical question, then yes the larger pixel sensor will give you the better image, when digitally enlarged in PP.
For example the image sensor in the DSLR Canon or Nikon are almost always (read that... ALMOST) larger than a point and shoot camera's image sensor. So check the sensor dimensions, and of course the type of sensor that is being used. If those things are equal in your hypothetical question, then yes the larger pixel sensor will give you the better image, when digitally enlarged in PP.
Dec 14, 2011 11:43:53 #
Lucian wrote:
A lot of people get too caught up in megapixel num... (show quote)
Pay attention to what Lucian is saying - it's important. For a good discussion of sensor size and pixel density go to http://www.sphoto.com/techinfo/dslrsensors/dslrsensors.htm
Dec 14, 2011 16:09:50 #
rayford2
Loc: New Bethlehem, PA
kbarnes42 wrote:
The higher MP camera should give you better enlargements, but you will sacrifice noise at higher ISO. You really need to decide just how large of a print you are going to make. If you are not going into the mega enlargements you just might not need the high MP camera.
It's not the size of the picture I'm concerned about, it's about the detail I'll get if I use a program to zoom in a button on a jacket. The button being the main concern, the rest of the picture I'm not concerned about. The button could be printed on a 4x6 or 5x7.
Dec 14, 2011 16:47:37 #
rayford2 wrote:
Then you want some really good glass to zoom in as close as you can or some good sneakers to get your body as close as possible quote=kbarnes42 The higher MP camera should give ... (show quote)
Dec 14, 2011 17:46:39 #
rayford2
Loc: New Bethlehem, PA
fotogk wrote:
quote=rayford2 quote=kbarnes42 The higher MP cam... (show quote)
I'm sorry, I didn't study that last statement well enough.
If an entire blown-up picture has noise, so will my cropped button to the same degree. Is this correct?
Dec 14, 2011 18:36:08 #
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