Megapixel Diagram

[ukcatfan]

I made this for a co-worker with Excel to show the diminishing returns of more MPs. I kept it as close to a 3x2 ratio as possible. This topic comes up all the time so I thought I would make it graphical. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kevin

 

[Gdad]

I think sensor size is a consideration as well. I know my wifes Sony P&S has a 7mp sensor as compared to my dslr's 6mp. I told her to quit harassing me about that or I would be forced to upgrade to the D200.

 

[0bli0]

one thing people need to remember is that they've been pumping the additional pixels into the same size sensors - especially on the new p&s models. so yes you can print bigger images, but cropping for detail is not as effective due to the capabilities of the lens (and its ability to resolve sharply across the sensor's densly populate photosites). so yes in some ways more megapixels helps a little bit, while in others it actually doesn't do too much.

 

[photo_chick]

I have seen a graphic similar to this before.

http://www.design215.com/toolbox/megapixels.php

Also, I know there was a tendancy for point and shoot cameras to list the total megapixes as opposed to the effective megapixels to make it look like more. Though the difference was not that big. Is this still common practice? I know when I got my first p&s in 2000 they did this. Have not really looked lately. But htis would affect the overall quality and print size you can get from a given sensor too.

 

[ukcatfan]

I have seen a graphic similar to this before.

http://www.design215.com/toolbox/megapixels.php

Also, I know there was a tendancy for point and shoot cameras to list the total megapixes as opposed to the effective megapixels to make it look like more. Though the difference was not that big. Is this still common practice? I know when I got my first p&s in 2000 they did this. Have not really looked lately. But htis would affect the overall quality and print size you can get from a given sensor too.

I wish I knew about that one before I spent ten minutes making mine! Oh well. I am kinda sick in the fact that I love working with Excel. What can I say; I am an accountant.

I made it because my co-worker just could not verbally understand the concept of diminishing returns on MPs.

I also forgot to mention; anyone feel free to save, use, do whatever with my image above. I don't even care if you credit me. It is not like it is artwork or anything.

Kevin

 

[mabas9395]

Its almost like artwork. I'm even tempted to hang it up on my refrigerator.

 

[photo_chick]

I wish I knew about that one before I spent ten minutes making mine! Oh well. I am kinda sick in the fact that I love working with Excel. What can I say; I am an accountant.

I made it because my co-worker just could not verbally understand the concept of diminishing returns on MPs.

I also forgot to mention; anyone feel free to save, use, do whatever with my image above. I don't even care if you credit me. It is not like it is artwork or anything.

Kevin

Hey, anytime you can use Excel in a photography related way!!!!!

 

[0bli0]

Its almost like artwork. I'm even tempted to hang it up on my refrigerator.

it's very Paul Smith...

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> to list the total megapixes as opposed to the effective megapixels to make it look like more...

It takes 4 times the megapixels to double the horizontal detail and also double the vertical detail in the picture.

If you just double the megapixels, you get about 40% more horizontal detail and about 40% more vertical detail.

This is prior to figuring in losses due to lens quality or losses due to the smaller pixel spaces on a sensor whose physical size is not correspondingly increased.

Digital camera hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/digicam.htm

 

[jann1033]

I wish I knew about that one before I spent ten minutes making mine! Oh well. I am kinda sick in the fact that I love working with Excel. What can I say; I am an accountant.

I made it because my co-worker just could not verbally understand the concept of diminishing returns on MPs.

I also forgot to mention; anyone feel free to save, use, do whatever with my image above. I don't even care if you credit me. It is not like it is artwork or anything.

Kevin

: dare i bring up "watermark" :