How can a digital camera with a resolution of 12 M pixel(interpolation)have 3 M pixel of effective resolution?

Question

I saw a digital camera, on the internet, with the following specifications.

1) resolution is 12 M pixels (interpolation).
2) digital zoom is * 8.
3) interpolation is included.
4) effective resolution is 3 M pixels.

I understand from the specifications that there is no optical zoom.

Is the resolution of this camera 12 M pixel or 3 M pixel.
If its 3 M pixel, can it still take good pictures if there is no optical zoom.

Answer 1

This means the effictive resolution is 3M pix. When you take a picture, the image chip will generate a 3M pix image (e.g. 2048x1536). Then it is processed into a 12M pix image by filling in "caculated" pixels between effective pixels, which is called "interpolation". Therefore the final image will never be as good as a real 12M pix image, and will never look sharply focused because of interpolation. However, depending on the lense, you may still be able to get decent 3M pix pictures.

Answer 2

Interpolated resolution means that the camera is getting the image with a smaller sensor (3 MP in this case), then creating (making up) additional pixels based on surrounding "real" pixels.

The specs on this camera indicate an attempt to sell it based on numbers that look impressive, but are not really. This is a 3 MP camera with no optical zoom.

Look for a lower priced camera with 3 MP effective resolution and Optical Zoom. You should be able to find a name brand camera that will give you good everyday pics for $100 to $150.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Gosh, that sounds backwards to me. Sigma cameras use a diverse form of sensor and that they consistently declare that their 3 Foveon sensors upload as much as the better decision. I accept as true with the above solutions and that i'm acquainted with "efficient" decision, although that is only difficult to think of a 12 M sensor getting decrease each and every of ways right down to 3 MP.

Answer 4

that is a good question