Digital camera megapixels?
#1
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Thread Starter
Digital camera megapixels?
What resolution is recommended by all of you with digital cameras? All of my internet pics thus far have been with my digital camcorder (Sony PV-DV400) that also takes stills on a memory card... only at 640x480, but they still look great on a webpage. Most prints are very grainy. I want a quality camera for clear prints (and maybe some enlargements) without blowing my life savings. I know the 5+ megapixels are out now, but is that more than I actually need?
#4
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Robbinsdale, MN
Posts: 15,408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#5
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Thread Starter
Do any of you get nice-looking prints from your cams in the 2-3mp range? I know just about anything looks good on a website, but may not be as clear when printed/enlarged.
#7
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Loveland, CO
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A 3mp camera will do a pretty good looking 4x6 print and 8x10 enlargements don't look too bad when viewed from a short distance. My old camera was only a 1.3mp and I've actually done some 4x6 prints that look ok from it. With my new 6.3mp 8x12 prints look just like they do from 35mm film. If you want a camera for smaller prints and posting pictures on the internet, you should be fine with something in the 3mp range. Here are some sites with good reviews and sample images:
www.steves-digicams.com
www.dcresource.com
www.dpreview.com
www.steves-digicams.com
www.dcresource.com
www.dpreview.com
#8
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Posts: 7,551
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mines a sony dsc-p92... 5.0 mp but only 3x optical zoom... basically all you get with a fivohh is huge huge files and you'll probably need a 256mb memory stick... id say your best bet would be to look around the area of 3.0-4.0mp and maybe a 7x-10x optical zoom. that way, your pictures will be a descent size but at the same time, you can zoom in very close and still have massive clarity... whoa i hope you can make sense of this paragraph because i can't...
#9
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Kansas - yet again...
Posts: 652
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a 4mp an depending on how you take the picture in sense of lighting an movement also depends on the quality an they make good 4x6'* but thats all I ever printed off but then again I try an do some touch ups in photoshop or the likes also, I'd say keep in the 2-4mp range with a decent camera an you should be good theres some 4mp ones under $200usd
#10
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Holly, Michigan
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yeah all megapixel is is the size of the picture. Most people never do over 8 1/2 x 11, if thats your case then a 3 mp camera would be fine. You want optical zoom too, that way you can zoon in before the picture is takein. With Digital zoom you zoom in after the picture is taken, which makes the picture loose resolution. I work at office max. Most people get a 3mp camera with 3x optical,3-5x digital zoom. If you spend 250+ you can usally get one that does movie clips.