dumb megapixel related question

Does more MP make for a sharper image over all.

Not necessarily.

Megapixels are just a measurement used to describe how many pixels are on the sensor. Generally, the more MP a sensor has, the smaller these pixels are thus becoming more diffraction limited. So you're actually better off with less MP with today's cameras if you want a "sharp" picture. There are so many other factors that come into play when it comes to sharpness like lens resolution and shutter speed, so please only consider MP when thinking about what size prints you want to make...

monst0r wrote in post #9715009
Megapixels are just a measurement used to describe how many pixels are on the sensor. Generally, the more MP a sensor has, the smaller these pixels are thus becoming more diffraction limited. So you're actually better off with less MP with today's cameras if you want a "sharp" picture. There are so many other factors that come into play when it comes to sharpness like lens resolution and shutter speed, so please only consider MP when thinking about what size prints you want to make...

Yeah i always have before i just thought i would double check.

monst0r wrote in post #9715009
Megapixels are just a measurement used to describe how many pixels are on the sensor. Generally, the more MP a sensor has, the smaller these pixels are thus becoming more diffraction limited. So you're actually better off with less MP with today's cameras if you want a "sharp" picture. There are so many other factors that come into play when it comes to sharpness like lens resolution and shutter speed, so please only consider MP when thinking about what size prints you want to make...

On a per-pixel level you might lose sharpness with a higher pixel-density sensor, but this does not mean you will lose sharpness when comparing the two at the same size. I.E. take a 10 MP picture and a 17 MP picture and print both at 8x10. Assuming all things ideal, the 17 MP picture should have as much detail or more than the 10 MP picture. Now, if you took that same picture and printed 100% crops at 8x10 the story might be different, but that's comparing apples to oranges in my opinion.

monst0r wrote in post #9715009
Megapixels are just a measurement used to describe how many pixels are on the sensor. Generally, the more MP a sensor has, the smaller these pixels are thus becoming more diffraction limited. So you're actually better off with less MP with today's cameras if you want a "sharp" picture.

Sorry, but that's just wrong.

If you have the same-sized sensor and you output the final images at the same size, then there's no way that diffraction can cause a sensor with a high number of MPs to produce a picture that's less sharp than a sensor with a low number of MPs.

If "you're actually better off with less MP with today's cameras if you want a "sharp" picture" was true then, logically, a 10MP camera will get beaten by a 5MP camera, will get beaten by a 1MP camera, will get beaten by a single pixel. Balderdash.

kensei wrote in post #9714980
Does more MP make for a sharper image over all.

If you've got a good enough lens and good enough technique - yes.

hollis_f wrote in post #9719344
If "you're actually better off with less MP with today's cameras if you want a "sharp" picture" was true then, logically, a 10MP camera will get beaten by a 5MP camera, will get beaten by a 1MP camera, will get beaten by a single pixel. Balderdash.

Way off topic-ish, imagine trying to do PP on a 3888x2592 sized single pixel RAW file lol

There is no clear relationship between number of megapixels and sharpness. Sharpness straight-out-of-camera depends on the sensor design and anti-aliasing filter. Megapixels can resolve more detail.

Sharpness out-of-camera doesn't matter anyway since all digital files need to be sharpened. Or it'll be sharpened already by the Jpeg processor.

hollis_f wrote in post #9719344
Sorry, but that's just wrong.

If you have the same-sized sensor and you output the final images at the same size, then there's no way that diffraction can cause a sensor with a high number of MPs to produce a picture that's less sharp than a sensor with a low number of MPs.

If "you're actually better off with less MP with today's cameras if you want a "sharp" picture" was true then, logically, a 10MP camera will get beaten by a 5MP camera, will get beaten by a 1MP camera, will get beaten by a single pixel. Balderdash.

Well, that IS true to a point. What I was trying to say was that PIXEL to PIXEL sharpness would be better with lower pixel densities. Of course theres a limit to how far down you could go (you still need enough to make your print). Yes, you probably won't be able to tell the difference between a picture scaled down from an 18mp sensor to an the equivalent of an 8mp sensor since lens resolution would be fine at 8mp. with the 18mp image, you would be more prone to finding intricate little errors in the lens. sorry if what im trying to say still isn't clear or you still dont agree with it. i should draw a picture of it or something

Raizer wrote in post #9719353
Way off topic-ish, imagine trying to do PP on a 3888x2592 sized single pixel RAW file lol

wouldn't it be 1x1 though? lol since 3888x2592 would be 3888 pixels length wise by 2592 height wise?

would be like trying to pp this

.

Vladimer wrote in post #9732263
wouldn't it be 1x1 though? lol since 3888x2592 would be 3888 pixels length wise by 2592 height wise?

would be like trying to pp this

.

Hmmm it would have to be a MEGA pixel...

Nikon takes an outstanding image at 12.3 mp. They use larger pixels. A higher mp camera will allow you to print a large picture without losing IQ. you can't take a 5mp image and print a nice 13x19 photo but a 12.3 mp camera can.

MP can become an issue if a a manufacturer starts stuffing to many on a sensor, which is being approached now.

Check this article out. It may help with your question.

http://www.pixagogo.co​m …px?p=MegaPixels​Resolution

toxic wrote in post #9719527
There is no clear relationship between number of megapixels and sharpness. Sharpness straight-out-of-camera depends on the sensor design and anti-aliasing filter. Megapixels can resolve more detail.

Sharpness out-of-camera doesn't matter anyway since all digital files need to be sharpened. Or it'll be sharpened already by the Jpeg processor.

pixels and sensors come in all sorts of arrangement and size for "sharpness"

A very good post on the utility (or otherwise) of high pixel densities here.