robert blu
quiet photographer
Personally I prefer small number on specification sheets for what is size and weight, even if this means not extremely high MP. But to each one is own 🙂
robert
robert
The Megapixel Spectrum
- Thread starter Bill Pierce
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 57
- Views 6K
jsrockit
Moderator
People always say this...even about 36mp sensors, but it simply is not true. Sure, it is harder. However, if you use a high shutter speed, it isn't so hard. With the high ISO of these cameras, there is not reason to go with low shutter speeds in most situations.
willie_901
Veteran
ISO does not provide any advantage for shutter speed selection. Decreasing exposure always reduces the analog signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range recorded when the shutter is open.
Cameras with excellent analog signal-to-noise ratios and ISO invariance simply minimize the inconveniences of under exposure. This is a practical advantage, as the loss of SNR and DR are more tolerable. But there are no miracles.
Cameras with excellent analog signal-to-noise ratios and ISO invariance simply minimize the inconveniences of under exposure. This is a practical advantage, as the loss of SNR and DR are more tolerable. But there are no miracles.
Kent
Finally at home...
Nikon Df = 16 MP
Fuji X-T1 = 16 MP
Fuji X-E2 = 16 MP
Leica M8 = 10 MP
...
And I am absolutely fine with that.
"Only" 16 MPix but 16 million very good ones. 😉
Fuji X-T1 = 16 MP
Fuji X-E2 = 16 MP
Leica M8 = 10 MP
...
And I am absolutely fine with that.
"Only" 16 MPix but 16 million very good ones. 😉
jsrockit
Moderator
I would certainly say that modern DSLRs and FF mirrorless cameras provide miracles compared to any film. And how can being able to shoot at 6400 not provide an advantage for shutter speed selection? Tell that to sports photographers. I don't care about the math of it, I only care about practical results.
Duane Pandorf
Well-known
18 - 24 mpx is the sweet spot for everyday shooting.
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
For most web-work I use my old G2 which is still going strong and delivers 4MP files. Nice thing is that I don't have to scale the pics down.
In most cases I hardly need anything bigger than 16MP.
In most cases I hardly need anything bigger than 16MP.
uhoh7
Veteran
Wait, help me understand.
What's harder?
Camera movement will show up sooner on smaller pixels?
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I think we all spend way too much time worrying about megapixels, dynamic range, high ISO, etc etc, instead of concentrating on expression, emotion, moment, and story.
What's needed is enough pixels and DR to get the job done and produce the outputs we desire, along with enough responsiveness and durability to be useful.
That varies based on subject matter, output desired, etc.
I find in my own work that I've made satisfying photos with every camera I've used, from sub-Mpixel to whatever. As a nominal standard, I've come to sit at the 24Mpixel space and enjoy it, but reviewing a few photos made a decade ago with 5 or 6 Mpixel camera demonstrates that there wasn't anything cripplingly inadequate about it.
G
What's needed is enough pixels and DR to get the job done and produce the outputs we desire, along with enough responsiveness and durability to be useful.
That varies based on subject matter, output desired, etc.
I find in my own work that I've made satisfying photos with every camera I've used, from sub-Mpixel to whatever. As a nominal standard, I've come to sit at the 24Mpixel space and enjoy it, but reviewing a few photos made a decade ago with 5 or 6 Mpixel camera demonstrates that there wasn't anything cripplingly inadequate about it.
G
GaryLH
Veteran
jsrockit
Moderator
People assume it is a lot harder to make a sharp photo with 36mp + cameras... but this is only when viewing at 100% and using slow shutter speeds.
Pioneer
Veteran
Right now I am working on producing great 5x7 prints. I need around 6mp for that. I use an 18mp Leica. I am obviously over gunned but that doesn't seem to result in better prints than what I print from the files out of my 6mp Pentax *ist D.
From this I have determined that megapixels are not as important as exposure, composition, etc. So I will continue to work on those and worry about the megapixels later. 😀
From this I have determined that megapixels are not as important as exposure, composition, etc. So I will continue to work on those and worry about the megapixels later. 😀
drec
Rangeflounder
I'm done with megapixels. All of the cameras I shoot are good enough. From the M8 that I'm selling to the 18mp M-M that I have now, they are all that I need for my photography. I don't even think of mp anymore; factors like ISO and dynamic range are more important to me.
CK Dexter Haven
Well-known
Yeah, I don't have any interest in owning a printer that large. I covet huge prints, but imagine I'd find a vendor for that kind of thing. Of course, I'd have to have both the shot and the wall space.... At present, I have neither, but like all of my gear lusts, it's about what I COULD do, not what is actually likely to happen. I am thoughtful about such things, but that doesn't mean the results of such thinking are always rational or realistic.
GaryLH
Veteran
Actually.. Now that I think about it..yeah bring it 😀 😛.... Those 36 mp plus sensor means a lot of really nice 12-24 mp cameras are going to hit the used market 😀 as the GAS attacks cause need to sell...can't ask for anything better..
Gary
Gary
kbb
Well-known
I had 12MP for 4.5 years, then went to 36.
Once I crop a pano style frame out of 36MP, I'm now at about 18MP, maybe less.
I like the versatility of 36MP.
Once I crop a pano style frame out of 36MP, I'm now at about 18MP, maybe less.
I like the versatility of 36MP.
GaryLH
Veteran
http://petapixel.com/2015/09/11/canons-120mp-dslr-raw-files-are-210mb-each/
As someone already mentioned... Those huge mp sensor cameras produce large raw files...
---- 210mb is going to use up a lot of storage requirements as well as CPU hp.
Gary
As someone already mentioned... Those huge mp sensor cameras produce large raw files...
---- 210mb is going to use up a lot of storage requirements as well as CPU hp.
Gary
Oscuro
He's French, I'm Italian.
How big is the Mona Lisa? Rhetorical question, obviously. More is great until you realize you're spending more time learning the machine than directing your eye. Or a sitting client. All of the "greats" who are in digital have been rocking it since 2.1 MP. Specific end-use occasionally requires the most oomph you can bring, but from HCB to Maisel to Harvey to Majoli to Burri to Allard have been doing it with less-than-max res - film or digital. Most of the arguments for more MP are based on outlier potential usage, often veering close to the hypothetical. But hey, go spend the dough. I'd rather do something else with the cash.
Similar threads
- Article
