A Pixel is a Pixel is a Pixel...or is it?
Nov 5, 2012 01:00:17 #
I would like to know...are all pixels created equal? Is it the standard that we base all resolutions on or are there differences that we should know about when it comes to rendering our art into the printed form?
Nov 5, 2012 01:17:06 #
Bensson wrote:
I would like to know...are all pixels created equal? Is it the standard that we base all resolutions on or are there differences that we should know about when it comes to rendering our art into the printed form?
A pixel (picture element) is the smallest tangible component of a digital image. However, a pixel does not have a standard size. It can be sub-microscopic to well over an inch in one dimension. But remember that a 12 megapixel photo comprised of one inch pixels will produce an image 4000 inches by 3000 inches (333 1/3 feet by 250 feet). Print that on your desktop printer.
Nov 5, 2012 01:19:49 #
Mogul wrote:
....It can be sub-microscopic to well over an inch in one dimension....
Think of the huge signs made up of colored light bulbs :) e.g. Las Vegas
Nov 5, 2012 01:20:34 #
Not only are individual pixel sizes important, but so are the spacings between pixels.
Nov 5, 2012 01:21:59 #
I guess I should qualify my question better. From digital camera to camera, are all pixels created equal?
Nov 5, 2012 01:33:41 #
Bensson wrote:
No. Which is one reason some manufacturers have less noise, even though sensors & pixel counts may be very close between different brands.I guess I should qualify my question better. From digital camera to camera, are all pixels created equal?
Your question is really about micro electronics, not photography. You really need to do a bit of research on the internet. On this forum, discussing camera sensors is like asking which soda brand is better, Coke or Pepsi.
And you are going to receive answers from wannabe experts, who have little or no background in sensor electronics.
Nov 5, 2012 01:36:09 #
Bensson wrote:
I guess I should qualify my question better. From digital camera to camera, are all pixels created equal?
No. The pixels on a full frame 16mp sensor are larger than the pixels on a 16mp APS-C sensor and much larger than the pixels on a 16mp 4:3 micro sensor.
Nov 5, 2012 01:37:35 #
Thank you for your input Nikonian. Thats key information. So even though Nikon offers a D800 with 36.2 megapixels, it isn't necessarily going to produce an image better than a Canon with 24 megapixels. Is that correct?
Nov 5, 2012 01:39:54 #
Bensson wrote:
My bias (educated preference) is towards Sony sensors.So even though Nikon offers a D800 with 36.2 megapixels, it isn't necessarily going to produce an image better than a Canon with 24 megapixels. Is that correct?
Nov 5, 2012 01:49:00 #
I understand Sony is the manufacturer for the D800 sensor is that correct? Since you are a dedicated user of Nikon, would you own a D800?
Nov 5, 2012 03:09:46 #
Bensson wrote:
If I had the budget, I would seriously consider the D800, but more likely the D600.I understand Sony is the manufacturer for the D800 sensor is that correct? Since you are a dedicated user of Nikon, would you own a D800?
I used four different Nikon 35-mm cameras from 1972 to about 2000. Both of my current Nikon cameras are 12.3 Mp, and at this time, the resolution is just fine for requirements.
Nov 5, 2012 03:36:24 #
Although I'm a Canon user, I think Sony (Nikon) image sensors have the edge over Canon right now. And the large pixels in the 12.1MP Nikon D3s may make it the best ever camera for high ISO photography. Here's an article I wrote on subject:
http://intothenightphoto.blogspot.com/2012/10/nikon-d3s-best-ever-high-iso-camera.html
Here's a more extensive article by ClarkVision about why pixel size does matter:
http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/does.pixel.size.matter/
Good high ISO performance is very important in my "astro-landscape" style of night photography.
http://intothenightphoto.blogspot.com/2012/10/nikon-d3s-best-ever-high-iso-camera.html
Here's a more extensive article by ClarkVision about why pixel size does matter:
http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/does.pixel.size.matter/
Good high ISO performance is very important in my "astro-landscape" style of night photography.
Nov 5, 2012 04:12:54 #
roycebair wrote:
Good high ISO performance is very important in my "astro-landscape" style of night photography.
Here's an example of the performance from my full-frame 22MP Canon 5D Mark III. It has much less noise than my earlier, full-frame 21MP Canon 5D Mark II, almost par with the full-frame 36MP Nikon D800, but a little noisier than the full-frame 12MP Nikon D3s.
The newly released, full-frame 24MP Nikon D600 and the soon-to-be-released (December) full-frame 20MP Canon 6D would be my recommendations for someone thinking about the benefits of larger pixel size --as these $2100 cameras are considerably less expensive than other full-frame cameras (and are incorporating the latest sensor advances).
Milky Way over John Moulton homestead in Grand Teton NP. Taken with the Canon 5D Mark III EF 24mm f1.4L II lens 15 seconds - f2.8 - ISO 8000 light painting added to enhance recognition.
Nov 5, 2012 05:55:30 #
Good topic and one that can get very technical beyond photography.
I highly recommend reading the following article.
It is presented in layman's language, easy to read and understand, while being technically accurate.
http://spectrum.ieee.org/geek-life/tools-toys/pixels-size-matters/0
I highly recommend reading the following article.
It is presented in layman's language, easy to read and understand, while being technically accurate.
http://spectrum.ieee.org/geek-life/tools-toys/pixels-size-matters/0
Nov 5, 2012 10:06:29 #
Bensson wrote:
I understand Sony is the manufacturer for the D800 sensor is that correct? Since you are a dedicated user of Nikon, would you own a D800?
The D800 sensor is manufactured by Sony to Nikon design and specifications. This is most likely why the new Sony A99 did not get the 36MP sensor (although it was all over the rumor mill last winter) as Sony does not own it.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.