Ten megapixel myths

[Jesper]

A computer magazine here (Computer X) published an article about ten megapixel myths. Here are the myths (which are, obviously, not true):

* More megapixels means better quality.
* Eight megapixels is twice the resolution of four megapixels.
* Digital lags behind analog photography.
* You need at least six megapixels to be able to print at A4 size (210 x 297 mm).
* A compact camera is as good as an SLR.
* The more megapixels, the less noise.
* An eight megapixel camera is better than a four megapixel camera.
* There's a demand for consumer cameras with more than eight megapixels.
* 23 megapixels is more than 5600 x 4100 pixels.
* For a 10 x 15 cm (4 x 6 inch) print you need at least two megapixels.

Read the article (http://www.examedia.nl/computerx/modules/news/article.php?storyid=14), but it's in Dutch!

[Moppie]

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/tr

:D


The comparison between the now 4 year old 1D and the less than a year old Nikon, Sony and Fuji cameras is interesting.
Especialy how well the 1D does given the fast rate of change with this type of technology.

[Mike Panic]

you forgot number 11: RAW is better then jpeg

[Tom W]

A computer magazine here (Computer X) published an article about ten megapixel myths. Here are the myths (which are, obviously, not true):

* More megapixels means better quality.
* Eight megapixels is twice the resolution of four megapixels.
* Digital lags behind analog photography.
* You need at least six megapixels to be able to print at A4 size (210 x 297 mm).
* A compact camera is as good as an SLR.
* The more megapixels, the less noise.
* An eight megapixel camera is better than a four megapixel camera.
* There's a demand for consumer cameras with more than eight megapixels.
* 23 megapixels is more than 5600 x 4100 pixels.
* For a 10 x 15 cm (4 x 6 inch) print you need at least two megapixels.

Read the article (http://www.examedia.nl/computerx/modules/news/article.php?storyid=14), but it's in Dutch!

Can't read the article, but many of the statements are just blanket statements without the proper qualifiers. For example, more megapixels certainly, on its own, doesn't mean better quality. The obvious comparison would be the images from the 300D/Rebel compared to the Pro-1. Both are good, but the Rebel will give a much cleaner, lower-noise image. On the other hand, the 8.2 Mpixel 20D does outperform its 6.3 megapixel predecessor in most ways, even if only modestly.

Some are more obvious - more megapixels does not equate to less noise. In fact, if nothing other than pixel density changes, you could expect an increase in noise with more megapixels (of course, other advances come with newer cameras so no direct comparison can be made). And, a 2 megapixel image is approximately 1200 X 1800 pixels which gives you 300 ppi, which will give a great 4X6 print.

As for RAW and JPG, it depends a lot on what you're going to do with the image. An 8-bit JPG, if exposed well, will be identical to a converted RAW image. But, if you desire to tweak the exposure and/or white balance, you'll not have much room to play with the JPG. The other side of that coin is that RAW is time and space-consuming. So yes, as a blanket statement, you can't say RAW is better than JPG, but if the specific use calls for the increased flexibility, you would be better off using RAW.

[Moppie]

Tom I read the article useing the translation feature in the link I posted, and you pretty much just summed it up :)
They simply go into a little more detail, in Dutch.

[Jesper]

Can't read the article, but many of the statements are just blanket statements without the proper qualifiers. ....You are right, but the whole point of the article is that shops and marketing people etc. make people believe in these myths, without explaining the real truth. The article explains why each of the myths aren't (always) true, exactly as you're explaining some of them... :)

[Big_B]

you forgot number 11: RAW is better then jpeg
I'll second that.