BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

What megapixels do I need?

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April 27, 2004

There will be as many answers to your question as there are photographers on this forum. Here is MY 2c worth, my opinons, my preferences. As always there is no RIGHT answer. Your mileage may vary.

I'll assume that (at least for now) you don't intend trying to make a living at this game, 'tis hard, damned hard ;-)

Anyway, now for the gear.

There is no doubt that a 6.3Meg file will blow up to 16x20 (or even bigger), truth is, once you get past 3Meg the optics actually play a greater part than the actual resolution of the CCD/CMOS sensor. The Canon EOS D30 was only 3Meg but with good glass it produced (and still produces) stunning results. My D-30 was stolen so I took the opportunity to upgrade to a D-60, 6Meg, more than adequate for me (24x16 is perfect at sensible viewing distances).

I personally don't like the electronic viewfinders of the Fuji cameras, I like a live image. If you want an 'SLR style' camera, get a proper SLR with a real shutter and mirror. You can get a used D-60 for a song. A 'real' SLR will also give you interchangeable lenses.

I've been using Canon (film) SLR's for years so I'm a bit biassed (I've got a lot of my hard-earned cash invested in Canon gear).

The one thing you MUST do is play with the hardware, visit your local camera shop ask their advice, handle the goods, get something that FEELS right in your hands, the little Fuji's vanish in my great mitts, the D-60 with a Tokina ATX-Pro 80-200 f2.8 on the front feels right (and weighs about 2kg).

And, of course, your budget will probably be the limiting factor.

Do let us know what you decide.

Any further questions, post here or email me at photog@crossy.co.uk

Cheers
Dave C.

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April 28, 2004

If one of the compact digital cameras, I doubt that you'll be able to make quality 16x20" prints from the images. I have tested the Fuji F700; with the best images from that camera, you should be able to make very nice 11x15" prints or stunning 8.5x11" prints.

If you're looking at the Fuji S2 Pro digital SLR, you should be able to make 13x19" prints suitable for framing or exhibition quality 11x15" prints.

Cheers! Peter Burian

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April 28, 2004

Thanks for all your responses!!!

Julie Roll

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April 28, 2004

I have never tested a compact camera that generated images with enough resolution and overall quality to make even a 13x19" print that would meet my own standards.

You can find a Review on that camera at http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_s7000-review/ AND at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms7000/ (Both include some images that you can download to assess image quality.)

Cheers! Peter Burian

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April 28, 2004

An excerpt from my test report for eDIGITAL PHOTO magazine:

"The combination of Super CCD HR sensor plus sophisticated image processor holds the potential for superb quality. With less aggressive compression in most JPEG capture modes, the images would benefit fully from the new technology.

Where the Super CCD HR really shines is in the JPEG 12-MP Fine and raw capture modes, thanks to lower compression levels. Both options produce outstanding image quality, with interpolation that’s more effective than bicubic interpolation in Photoshop, for smoother, sharper images with better resolution.

This model would be a fine choice if you own a large format printer. Follow the advice provided in this review and you should be pleased with prints approaching the 11x15” size. The combination of advanced capabilities, sophisticated technology and 4048 x 3040 pixel recording combine to make the Fuji FinePix S7000 Zoom a worthy contender among the current crop of prosumer cameras."

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April 28, 2004

Cheers
DC

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April 28, 2004

Like all digicams with a long optical zoom, this one incorporates an electronic viewfinder (EVF). It’s better than most, offering a clear, crisp (not “jumpy”) view. Sure there’s a half second delay while the finder presents a live image of your subject after you take a shot, but that’s common with most EVF’s. Except for slight underexposure with light-toned subjects, the camera produced technically pleasing images even in its default modes; thanks to the many manual controls and overrides, it also allowed me to achieve any desired effect.

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April 28, 2004

Thanks again.

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April 28, 2004

The 8 megapixel cameras ($999 - such as the Minolta Dimage A2) produce higher resolution, but their pixels are so small, you still don't get perfect image quality.

The digital SLR cameras use much larger sensors, and hence much larger pixels and produce higher quality. I got beautiful 13x19" prints from the Fuji S2 Pro for example, and you may be satisfied with the 16x20's that you would get.

The Nikon D70 is the best of the affordable D SLR cameras ($1000 plus lens.) Again, I don't know what level of quality you expect in a 16x20 print, but the D70 may (or may not) provide that. It really does produce exceptional image quality however. See the Review at www.imaging-resource.com

Peter Burian

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April 28, 2004

Thanks!!

Julie Roll

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April 28, 2004