gwilliams6

Pixel size ranges from 1.1 microns in the smallest smartphone sensor, to 8.4 microns in a Full-Frame sensor. So when you compare pixels in a smartphone to pixels in a full frame sensor, it is tiny apples to large oranges. The pixels in your 45mp sensor in your iPhone will not be equivalent to the light gathering, resolution and detail possible from those larger pixels in your 24mp sensor fullframe camera.

Smartphones use loads of AI to make up for the shortcomings of those small sensors, small lenses and small cameras. Yes the smartphone pixel counts and sensor sizes have been increasing, and smartphone image quality is getting better, but they still cant compete with best fullframe sensor image quality without the help of a bunch of AI. And as more and more AI is now being put into fullframe cameras , and more AI is put into a slew of post processing software, the AI playing field is being evened out between smartphones cameras and larger sensor cameras. .

Why camera sensor size is more important than more megapixels.
Smartphone camera quality keeps getting better and larger image sensors are at the heart of this improvement.
https://www.androidauthority.com/camera-sensor-size-1095299/

The only meaningful comparison of pixel count is with pixels of the same size, in the same size sensor. In that case yes generally speaking a fullframe 24mp sensor will be bested by a fullframe 45mp sensor of the same sensor size , with respect to ultimate resolution and detail possible.

I qualified my comment by saying generally because some same size sensors with the same pixel count, may have a difference in the quality of those pixels' performance as image sensor tech and in-camera image processors advance from generation to generation, resulting in improvements in low light, high ISO and dynamic range abilities. And more and more AI in fullframe sensor cameras and in post processing software also raises the ultimate end result performance of those pixels vs in the past before AI.

Cheers and best to you.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Yes, 30 megapixels or Topaz Photo AI.
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

People have always been impressed by big sizes and big numbers. I doubt that anyone here knows enough about the actual specs and construction of cameras and cell phones to give a definitive answer. Generally speaking, I think that more MP are better than fewer, but you have to look at the cost/benefit ratio.

As always, read reviews and comparisons.

bkwaters

Exactly.

Bison Bud

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

I shoot my D850 at Medium Jpeg for my work, its like 26 mpx, my belief is that once the sensor can resolve beyond the Nyquist limit that eliminates the potential for moiré, downsizing then gives you an exceptionally clean 26 mpx jpeg, still a bigger file than generally required. Of course I grew up on Kodachrome 64, and print film, the speed and detail of even the 12 mpx cameras was always enough for me and i still use a brace of D700's and I have no complaints about my D2X

fetzler Loc: North West PA

There are NO cell phones with 200 MP. The absolute smallest a pixel can be is one wavelength of light (a bit less than 1 micron) Of course lenses, especially ones crammed into your back pocket, are not even that good.

My Olympus cameras (with a sensor MUCH larger than a cellphone) can make 80MP by combining several exposures using sensor shifting but subjects must be still (even in a landscape leaves move in the wind) There are also cameras with large (MF) sensors that are better. Combining exposures (panorama) also will get more pixels. Physics dictates the minimum pixel size.

Canisdirus

Smartphones use more software and AI...

Sensor size is still the bigger factor in photography over pixels...
With less AI in cameras (for now) ... high MP's need bigger sensors...for optimal performance.
So in cameras... best combo for high mp is...full frame...or even better...medium format.
Not so in cellphones...

fobbox

It is entirely possible that marketing departments are made up of former congresspeople. Or they are in training to be congresspeople.

BebuLamar

The phone really needs a lot of pixels because they can't have zoom optics. So it needs a lot of pixels to get the digital zoom.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Bill wrote "Not all pixels are created equal."
You are right on Bill. There is a big difference between the pixels of a phone and those in a camera. A camera with less pixels than a phone will have images of better quality. We know that small pixels tend to be noisy and we also know that so many pixels packed inside a device tend to pose problems.

I once had a Nikon D2H, a professional camera with only 4 Mp. I never had issues enlarging the files. Same with a D70 with only 6 Mp. The only disadvantage for these low pixel cameras is that if cropping is done often then the quality will suffer. I am using a D7000 with 16 Mp. and a D610 with 24. If you ask me I cannot see the difference in quality.

I will not discuss phone photography because I only use my phone to call and receive calls.

cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

Try printing at say 48" X 60" then you'll see why pixels count.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

The advantages of more megapixels will always be reduced by the quality of resolution of the lens attached to the camera. A digital camera sensor can only sense the waves of light reflected back to it. Ultimately, it's all about the light.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

The reasonable answer.