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How many megapixels is enough for you?
Several companies over the years have declared that 12 or 16 megapixels is enough... and then gone on to release 24 or 20 megapixel cameras at a later date.
With the release of the 20 megapixel Canon EOS 1D X Mark II and Nikon D5 - we're wondering if this is enough megapixels for you? Or would you prefer 50, or 100 ?
With the release of the 20 megapixel Canon EOS 1D X Mark II and Nikon D5 - we're wondering if this is enough megapixels for you? Or would you prefer 50, or 100 ?
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What I've currently got (21.1) is more than enough for me. I always thought it was more to do with the sensor anyway and how it records the pixels, rather than the pixel count itself? I suppose more pixels would enable larger prints to be made, without a huge loss of quality, but it's still just as easy to take a cr*p photo with 100 megapixels as it is with 12 
Depends what the end use is.
For most people 24 might be enough. Others may need 36 or more.
Me personally, I have cameras that will do 10, 16 and 24 and enjoy using all of them. I dont need more than 24 at the moment
For most people 24 might be enough. Others may need 36 or more.
Me personally, I have cameras that will do 10, 16 and 24 and enjoy using all of them. I dont need more than 24 at the moment
IMHO
Canon 30D 8mp (always used this for macro) great camera
Canon 40D 10mp (general wildlife) great camera
Canon 7D 18mp (was never really happy with either macro or general wildlife)
Canon 5D mk III (great camera for both macro and general wildlife)
Canon 30D 8mp (always used this for macro) great camera
Canon 40D 10mp (general wildlife) great camera
Canon 7D 18mp (was never really happy with either macro or general wildlife)
Canon 5D mk III (great camera for both macro and general wildlife)
I've an Olympus Stylus 1 (12MP) and an E-410 (10MP).
Happy with both.
Give the screen resolution of my Laptop and my eyesight it's just a numbers game after that.
Mind - If I was to get a Ford Mustang I'd what a 5.0l not a 2.3l (so I can see the parallel..)
Happy with both.
Give the screen resolution of my Laptop and my eyesight it's just a numbers game after that.
Mind - If I was to get a Ford Mustang I'd what a 5.0l not a 2.3l (so I can see the parallel..)
I have 12 and 16mp cameras. For the most part they are both sufficient for my use.
However, I would be happy to have a lot more for occasional use (mostly bird photography) to allow for 'extreme' cropping. That would, of course, require 'good quality at pixel-level.'
However, I would be happy to have a lot more for occasional use (mostly bird photography) to allow for 'extreme' cropping. That would, of course, require 'good quality at pixel-level.'
6x6 +0 megapixels
You do the maths.
It's been ages since I have shot with it, the 12 frames roll is still in the fridge.
You do the maths.
It's been ages since I have shot with it, the 12 frames roll is still in the fridge.
It's curious that as time goes on photographers tend to adapt to the increasing technical capabilities of photography hardware. Re. pixel counts we all, or nearly all, 'go with the flow' What would happen should there be a calamitious failure and we were all forced to go back to film?
Would our world end? Certainly not. Those wanting high quality would use medium or large format cameras, the rest would be eventually content with 35mm.
I believe that nearly all the world's most famous photographs were shot on film - either medium format or 35mm.
The need for more pixels is, in reality, a fallacy foisted on us by camera manufacturers and the media.
I'm given to understand that 16mp is equivalent to 100 ISO film, by the way
Would our world end? Certainly not. Those wanting high quality would use medium or large format cameras, the rest would be eventually content with 35mm.
I believe that nearly all the world's most famous photographs were shot on film - either medium format or 35mm.
The need for more pixels is, in reality, a fallacy foisted on us by camera manufacturers and the media.
I'm given to understand that 16mp is equivalent to 100 ISO film, by the way
Whatever comes with a camera is plenty. I choose not by numbers, but by camera's ability to make images good enough for me. Noticed lately that often coincides with higher pixel count - but some oldies in my camera collection still find their practical use.
I produce A3 prints and I calculated that 14-15 M Pixels should be enough BUT I often like to crop images so need a little more in practice. My Full Frame 21M Pixel Canon is ideal for me. What I would like is a larger dynamic range 11 stops is not enough.
Dave
Dave
Is it not true that in the days of, say up to 12mp we would all be most cautious when framing a shot, knowing that cropping to half frame, for instance, was fraught with potential loss of quality?
36 or 50mp has taken care of that but, does it not make us possibly lazy photographers, as will all large image cameras.
Also I believe that, for those who print up images, the human eye is incapable of discerning pixels, and the print incapable of showing them on even the very largest of blow ups even from many of the smallest original files - from say 6mp. I know that on screen this is not true, nevertheless......?!
36 or 50mp has taken care of that but, does it not make us possibly lazy photographers, as will all large image cameras.
Also I believe that, for those who print up images, the human eye is incapable of discerning pixels, and the print incapable of showing them on even the very largest of blow ups even from many of the smallest original files - from say 6mp. I know that on screen this is not true, nevertheless......?!
I have cameras with 10' 16 and 22 megapixels- the later of which I do often change to shoot at 10 anyway. Whether it's because I am tight and dispise filling up hard drives but find I don't need to shoot above 10 on most occasions. When I shoot weddings and provide an image only package I provide all images at 12mp size. I do also agree with other comments that the huge MP makes you shoot loose knowing you can crop. Some of my best images I have printed at A2 from a 1D mk3 framed right in camera. Why would I want more MP's than this I ask?
My 50 megapixels is enough for me 
Having recently moved from 20, I cant say that it makes much difference to how I shoot or how I process stuff.
Having recently moved from 20, I cant say that it makes much difference to how I shoot or how I process stuff.
