what is the relation between pixel and photo size?

Answer 1

the more pixels the clearer the picture
So, What is a Pixel?
A pixel is really nothing more than a piece of information. A pixel describes where it is located in the grid and what color it is.

Pixels, in a digital image, do not have a "Height" or "Width" that can be measured with a ruler. This is because they are pieces of information, rather than a physical thing that can be measured.

Once the picture is assembled on your Monitor or assembled for Printing, ONLY then can you measure it with a ruler.

Some software programs elect to describe your picture in Inches or Centimeters, rather than in Pixels. We feel that this is a diservice to the user because pixels cannot be measured.

When a digital image is described in inches, it is being calculated, based on the Monitors Resolution. Or on the Printers Resolution. (Both of which are different and non-related, thus causing a lot of confusion)

Most monitors are set at 96 dpi (dots per inch) If a digital image is 960 pixels wide, then that digital image would be reported as being 10 inches wide. (960 divide by 96 = 10)

The same image, displayed on a monitor that is set at 72 dpi, would report that image as being 13.3 inches wide.

Most printers print at 300 dpi (even when they say 1440 dpi, which is another discussion) In this example, a printer would consider this image to be: 3.2 inches wide! (960 divided by 300 = 3.2)

Are you totally confused yet?

This confusion is the exact reason why Inches should not be used to describe a digital image. Describing a digital image in inches makes no more sense then describing a pound of sugar in inches.

The number of pixels never changes and is reliable. This is why PhotoELF only works with Pixels, except when printing!

Just like all new hobbies, you have to get use to new jargon, terms and behaviors. It is our opinion that those engaged in digital photography should learn to think in Pixels, rather than in inches. Inches only make sense when you are ready to print the picture.

The Rule of thumb when printing is: More Pixels = Better Print Quality.

You can print a 6 x 6 inch picture, using a 6 x 6 pixel image, but it will look very bad.

To print a 6 x 6 inch picture you really should have 1000 x 1000 pixels or more.

For more information visit: Inches versus Pixels - Cropping, Resizing and Printing Sizes


What is a Mega Pixel?

You may have noticed that digital cameras are described as:
1.3 MegaPixel Camera
2.1 MegaPixel Camera
6.0 MegaPixel Camera
Mega = 1 million
Using our example of a 6 x 6 pixel image:


Let's say you bought a camera that produced pictures that were 6 x 6 pixels. This camera would then be a 36 pixel camera! (6 x 6 = 36)

Let's say your camera produces pictures that are: 1280 x 960 pixels

1280 x 960 = 1,228,800 pixels = 1.2288 MegaPixels
But the manufacturers round up and call it a 1.3 MegaPixel Camera.


All Cameras were NOT Created Equal
Just because a camera says it is a 2.1 Mega Pixel Camera does not mean it has the same quality as another camera reported to be a 2.1 Mega Pixel Camera!

There are 2 things to Consider:
How many pixels does the camera produce?
How many pixels is the CCD (sensor) inside the camera?
CCD = Charge Coupled Device - This is the little sensor that records the picture when you "snap" the shutter.

This sensor has X number of pixels. Some cheaper cameras use a cheaper CCD sensor that has a smaller number of pixels then the camera produces. These cameras then "Resize" the picture, to produce a larger number of pixels - Just so they can claim their camera is a 1.3 MegaPixel Camera. But the CCD sensor is probably much less.

Answer 2

In simple terms, a pixel is a little colored rectangle, which together with millions of other pixels make up a picture.

Digital pictures can be printed in any size that you choose, but don't look good when they get so big that the pixels are spread out too much. Most printers print clearly when they have 200 to 300 pixels per inch (ppi) to work with.

This is why higher megapixel cameras are recommended if larger prints are needed. More pixels make clearer large pictures.

But if you only need 4x6 or 5x7 prints, 3 to 4 megapixel cameras will work fine.

Answer 3

A pixel is a dot. Picture quality is given in dots per inch or DPI. The higher the DPI, the higher the resolution of the photo.

A photo that was taken at 1200 DPI will have twice as many pixels as one that was taken at 600 DPI.

Answer 4

more pix more Clare, and a 4x4 pic is the same nice like a 8x8