Pixel Pitch
Feb 27, 2018 01:59:34 #
I am trying to put everything together in my head regarding resolution and pixels. I ran across the term pixel pitch and am trying to understand it, as i have found on-line differing values for better resolution. My D-500 has a pixel pitch of 4.22 microns. One site said that the smaller the value resulted in better resolution which makes sense to me, as pixel pitch is the distance between pixels. But i looked up the specs of the D-850 and it has a pixel pitch of 4.35 microns, which seems to contradict what i was reading. It makes no difference to me as far as my photography goes, i just need to understand it. I thank you in advance for any information in "common language" on the subject.
Feb 27, 2018 02:29:14 #
maren wrote:
I am trying to put everything together in my head ... (show quote)
The D-500 has an APS-C / DX size sensor, 23.5mm x 15.7mm and about 21MP with a pitch as you said of 4.22 microns.
The D-850 has a larger Full Frame / FX size sensor, 35.9mm x 23.9mm, about the same size as a 35mm film negative and about 46MP with the 4.35 microns.
The pixels are packed closer together for the D-500 than the D-850 even though the D-850 has more pixels. Pitch is just a way of expressing density.
For the D-850 to have the same pixel density as the D-500 it would have to have an approximately 49.8MP for its sensor. Not really that different.
That is 21 * 1.54^2 = 49.8MP. For the 24MP D7200 DX camera it would be 24 * 1.54^2 = 56.9MP!
Feb 27, 2018 05:48:51 #
Careful Maren, your desire, "I am trying to put everything together in my head regarding resolution and pixels." is for why! Learn Composition, Crop and Clone. Pixel Picken is bad enough but Pixel Pitch plucking leaves me featherless.
To be practical, after a certain point the result is better than the printer can print, the HDTV can resolve, the projector can project, and the eye can see. As the Southern Baptist Preacher roared, too much readen' and education is not good for the soul and leads to confusion and malcontentment.
Enjoy your camera and photography.... less you slip on pixel smear and end up in a circle of confusion!
To be practical, after a certain point the result is better than the printer can print, the HDTV can resolve, the projector can project, and the eye can see. As the Southern Baptist Preacher roared, too much readen' and education is not good for the soul and leads to confusion and malcontentment.
Enjoy your camera and photography.... less you slip on pixel smear and end up in a circle of confusion!
Feb 27, 2018 07:45:11 #
lamiaceae wrote:
The D-500 has an APS-C / DX size sensor, 23.5mm x ... (show quote)
Very intelligible and informative post. Thank you so much.
Feb 27, 2018 08:04:41 #
Feb 27, 2018 12:18:07 #
lamiaceae wrote:
The D-500 has an APS-C / DX size sensor, 23.5mm x ... (show quote)
So, the less density of the 850 with the larger sensor means that the pixels are larger and thus they can capture more light/data even with higher ISO's, and that makes for a higher quality image? I just have to ask where you got the number 1.54 squared. I would love to know that. Thanks again
Feb 27, 2018 13:59:31 #
dpullum wrote:
Careful Maren, your desire, "I am trying to p... (show quote)
Too late, i have already slipped, and am trying to get out of the pixel circle of confusion. This all started when i was trying to figure out image size by the pixel dimensions. The pixel dimension decreased after some PP that I did, and I was wondering if I was losing the ability to print some larger prints for eg. a 16 X 20 good quality image. I was trying to find the answer and run across this pixel pitch thing that i didn't understand and that aggravated me. aI guess i could have just ordered a couple of prints and seen for myself. Thanks for your advice.
Feb 27, 2018 14:12:00 #
When you shoot the D850 in crop mode, you're pitching more than half the pixels. I think. 
Feb 27, 2018 14:24:06 #
maren wrote:
I am trying to put everything together in my head ... (show quote)
The D500 or the D7200 for that matter indeed have higher resolution than the D850. The D850 has higher definition that is number of pixels per image. Resolution is number of pixels per unit of measurement (i.e. mm)
Feb 27, 2018 15:21:14 #
BebuLamar wrote:
The D500 or the D7200 for that matter indeed have higher resolution than the D850. The D850 has higher definition that is number of pixels per image. Resolution is number of pixels per unit of measurement (i.e. mm)
Definition vs resolution? I have quite honestly been having a bad day so my brain is a bit frazzled, What's the difference, seems to me they are 'intertwined'.
Feb 27, 2018 19:10:58 #
Kmgw9v wrote:
Urge restrained.
Another "How Many Angels Can Dance on the Head of a Pin" discussion.
Some of you are waaaaaaaaaaaay too analytical.
Feb 27, 2018 19:43:54 #
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Another "How Many Angels Can Dance on the Head of a Pin" discussion.
Some of you are waaaaaaaaaaaay too analytical.
Some of you are waaaaaaaaaaaay too analytical.
Feb 27, 2018 21:24:43 #
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Another "How Many Angels Can Dance on the Head of a Pin" discussion.
Some of you are waaaaaaaaaaaay too analytical.
Some of you are waaaaaaaaaaaay too analytical.
I know-- it is a curse. I can't let something go until I understand it, but in this case I may have to give in. My true goal is to be able to take a beautiful 16 X 20 print that is sharp as a tack with my D500. I hope that is in my future. Hope there is enough angels on the head of that pin to help. Thanks
Feb 27, 2018 21:26:33 #
lamiaceae wrote:
The D-500 has an APS-C / DX size sensor, 23.5mm x ... (show quote)
Thanks lamiaceael. That was a very helpful post. Maren
Feb 27, 2018 21:30:58 #
BebuLamar wrote:
The D500 or the D7200 for that matter indeed have higher resolution than the D850. The D850 has higher definition that is number of pixels per image. Resolution is number of pixels per unit of measurement (i.e. mm)
I will work on that. Thank you.
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