megapixels

[gort]

Hello

I'm starting to look for a digital camera. I have a question regarding megapixels.....

I'm interested in quality pictures, tabletop quality type photos books. When dealing with MP, does it get to a point when more becomes a waste? Does an 8 MP camera become moot when a 5 MP camera would do the job?

Also need quality macro shots too.

Any ideas?

thanx

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[Biarien]

From what I've heard, the megapixels determines what size you can achieve at a printable resolution. The higher the megapixels, the larger the photo you can print. So if you want to do snapshots for photo albums and small artistic photography, you can get a lower megapixel camera. But if you want to make very large prints that still look sharp, you'll need a higher megapixel camera. If you're using the camera for small prints, a large print camera won't give you better resolution than one geared for that size, I don't think.

 

[j26]

I am a photographer. I use a 6 MP camera (Nikon D100). The largest size I have printed is 11x17. The quality is amazing! Depending on what your purpose for your pictures is..... if you will just be printing small pictures, you dont need an 8 MP camera. You can get by with a 4 MP camera. If you want museum quality photos then go fo a higher MP camera. (Or if you are printing billboard size photos!) The high end digital cameras can get rather expensive.

 

[Deamiter]

If your pictures are just going to be on your computer, you can go even lower -- probably as low as 2 or 3 megapixels. I think that the best cost/quality right now is 4 or 5 as you literally can't tell the difference between analog and digital in a 4x6 print at that resolution.

 

[gort]

Hello,

The main purpose for the camera would be (hopefully) for a published book, one that sits on the table, mostly pictures......the "official" name for that type of book escapes me right now.......

When I was younger, I did a lot of b&w photography, had a darkroom and all that. It's been a lot of years since, and am trying to do my best research, which means ask people questions who do know. I've read all the threads in this part of the forum, and would like to thank all of you for your inputs.

I think I will probably go for a 6-8 MP for the hobby end of taking pictures. And that will give some room for growth in this industry. It's funny how prices have dropped so much. Last time I looked at 5 MP they were running twice as much as they are today. With Murpheys Law in place, as soon as I buy mine, the price will drop considerably.

Cie la Vie.....such is life.

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[Buttermilk]

I got a 5.1 MP camera a couple of months ago, the quality is very good when displyaed on a computer monitor. Haven't tried printing them on paper yet.

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Hi,

I have a 4MP Canon G2 camera and have gotten great quality prints at 8X10 (I haven't printed higher). Just remember that photo quality is not just about the number of MP you have - there are other factors involved so do your research to find out what camera would fit your purpose best.

Sarah

 

[transparentwarrior]

Yeah i am going to be saving for a Nikon D70...cant wait till i get it....who know when that will be though....i am unemplyed at the moment.

 

[gort]

Yeah i am going to be saving for a Nikon D70...cant wait till i get it....who know when that will be though....i am unemplyed at the moment.

Hello,

Why do you like that camera?

thanx

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[gort]

Hi,

I have a 4MP Canon G2 camera and have gotten great quality prints at 8X10 (I haven't printed higher). Just remember that photo quality is not just about the number of MP you have - there are other factors involved so do your research to find out what camera would fit your purpose best.

Sarah

Hello,

Thanks for your reply. I currently have a point and shoot 2mp. lol. The only digital I've ever had. I'm not impressed at all. My main primary objective is professional quality prints in a large format. Detailed photos are a must. Sadly, it's been many years since I played in a darkroom and hobbied around with cameras.


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