burkphoto wrote:
The issue of quality is extremely complex. It is not as simple as adding more pixels.
I worked in a pro lab for decades. In the early days of digital, we had 1.3 MP, 3.2 MP, 5.3 MP, then 6 MP image files. Once we hit 5.3 MP (Nikon D1x), professionals were selling prints of head-and-shoulders portraits at sizes from 8x10 through 40x60. At normal viewing distances (1X to 1.5X the print diagonal dimension), they look fine.
Yes, more MP make things easier, facilitating cropping and enlargement and improving resolution at larger sizes, but the story of quality includes a lot of other factors:
Dynamic range
Noise
Headroom
Sensor site size
Sensor format
Sensor technology
In-camera image processing system design and constraints
Image capture bit depth
File type saved (raw or JPEG)
Camera menu settings referenced during processing
Post production manipulation
Exposure
Shutter speed
Lens design
Lens aperture
Diffraction limiting aperture for the sensor in use
Stabilization on/off
Tripod used/not used
Light level and applied lighting ratio
Contrast range of the scene
It goes on and on. What you learn with experience is that most advanced cameras are better than most advanced photographers! We strive to stretch the cameras' limits by stretching ours.
The issue of quality is extremely complex. It is n... (
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Thank you for taking the time to answer burkephoto, I will take all those factors to heart. I guess the grass doesn't have to be greener on the other side of the fence ( ie: the newest gear ) I just need to be more diligent with my technique. Shooting with older Canon 20D and 5D. Trish