When digital photography first started, it was all about who could build a camera with
the highest resolution.
The highest megapixel count.
When models were doubling megapixels from 2 to 4, from 6 to 12 there was a noticeable
difference in image quality.
Today, we still have 10 to 12-megapixel cameras on the market.
But there are also offerings in excess of 50 plus megapixels so.
That begs the question, how important are megapixels, really?
Now, there are definitely advantages in working with higher resolution camera systems, and
this couldn’t be more true than talking about printing work.
Generally speaking, professional quality images are printed at about 300 dpi, meaning each
square inch is approximately 300 x 300 pixels in size.
So, if you have a 24MP camera with a 6000 x 4000 resolution you can safely print at
up to 20 x 13.3” with excellent sharpness.
Now, if you get into the 50MP, you can bring that print size up to 29 x 19.3” with ease.
Now this doesn’t mean you can’t make great photographic prints with a lower resolution
camera.
Using modern imaging software, smart upscaling and an understanding of viewing distances
you can produce outstanding prints.
Billboards are a great example of this.
They are printed at extremely low DPIs, because you aren’t going to be looking at them up
close like you would a print in a gallery.
So, 100 or even 50 DPI looks great.
But when you're printing highly detailed images that folks are going to see up close.
Megapixels, definitely matter.
Higher megapixel count also offers greater flexibility in post-production.
In, things like cropping, retouching and compositing.
So, yes megapixel counts are important too many fine art, landscape and commercial product
photographers.
Layout in graphic designers also appreciate the flexibility offered from the extra information
and detail.
Whether you shoot professional sports, just make snaps of your daily life.
It's hard to find an application that won't benefit some way from more megapixels.
However, there are some downsides to working with ultra-high resolutions.
More megapixels mean more heavy lifting during image acquisition.
And that means slower continuous shooting.
Slower autofocus performance and a generally less responsive shooting experience.
Other considerations are more resource intensive post-production and the need for higher capacity
memory cards and disk storage solutions.
The biggest downside to more megapixels is high ISO performance.
That's not to say there aren't newer cameras to push the limits ultra high-resolution capture.
Without sacrificing much of their raw speed or, lowlight performance.
Many manufacturers also produce more conservative lower-resolution models.
These options generally boast faster processing speed, boosted frames-per-second rates, sensor
readout and vastly improved high ISO and low-light performance
Another place where we see a huge advantage with lower resolution sensors is video.
This is because fewer pixels to read out for the camera generally means faster Imaging
processing and that reduces thing like rolling shutter from impacting your video quality.
Also, the ability to process the data easier results of proper downsampling for video with
fewer artifacts and aliasing.
Also, you get the same advantages in lowlight you do with still photography.
So, I guess the answer to the question how important are megapixels?
Isn’t really as clear-cut as we'd hoped.
But, the number of pixels on a camera is no longer a good gauge with which to compare
systems.
If you do a lot of printing, shoot in a studio or want landscapes with exceptional detail.
High resolution camera is an obvious choice.
For those looking for better low-light performance improved video, more conservative options
are likely the better performers.
For more on megapixels, photography and all things Imaging, visit B&H.
I’m photographer David Flores, see you next time.