how large a picture can i get from a 6.1 megapixel camera?

Question

how important are megapixels? whats the difference between 6.1 megapixels and 8.0 megapixels?

Answer 1

a mega-pixel is 1 million pixels, and it works like this.

if you take a standard screen resolution of 1024x768, the total number of pixels would be 786432, or 0.79 mega-pixels.

if you used a higher resolution, such as 1280 x 1024, the total number of pixels would be 1310720, or 1.31 mega-pixels.

so, the higher number of pixels, the more detail the image will capture, and of course, the bigger the file will be.

one more thing that's worth remembering: a camera with a resolution of, say, 11MP, normally doesn't have 11 million active pixels, and will capture the whole image in a mosaic. this is why, often, a hi res picture will take a lot longer to capture than a low res picture, and can result in blurring unless the camera is kept completely still

Answer 2

There are many GOOD answers about pixels above....

Here's something to think about.

If you always plan to compose your pictures perfectly, you don't need a whole lot of pixels. If you want to allow for cropping, which means enlarging only a portion of your image, the more pixels the better.

Imagine taking a scenic view and then noticing that the middle 20% of the photo would make an even better picture. Suppose you take a picture of a whole group of people and Aunt Clara really, really looks great in the picture, but everyone else looks lousy. If you have the pixels to work with, you can still make a decent print of Aunt Clara that she would be happy to have. If you buy an 8-to-10 MP camera and don't want to TAKE large photos, you can always set the camera to a lower file size. You can never go the other direction, though.

Unless the cost is a major issue, buy the camera with more pixels. You will never be sorry that you did, but you might one day be sorry that you didn't.

Having said all that, though, pixels are not the only measure of image quality. The sensor size is important as well as the image processing softare inclluded in the camera. You need to read reviews if you want a critical understanding of image quality for particular cameras. Try http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/ for more information on the cameras you are considering.

Answer 3

So here's the math, because at the end of the day, digital photography is a lot about math.

A 6Mp camera like the Canon Rebel has a senor size of 3072 pixels by 2048 pixels.

An 8Mp camera like the Canon Rebel XT has a sensor size of 3456 pixels by 2304 pixels.

When you transfer the image to your computer a pixel translates into a dot as in dots per inch or dpi. Your PC display has a resolution of 72dpi and that's the magic number for figuring out image sizes. It has nothing to do with the actual set up of your display - 760x480, 1024x760, 800x400, etc. 72dpi is the magic conversion factor.

So the 6Mp Canon Rebel can make an image as big as 42.7" by 28.4"

The 8Mp Rebel XT can make an image as big as 48" by 32".

Very few home computer users would have a printer capable of printing an image that big. I have printed up to 13" by 19" on my Epson with exceptional results.

All note that the size of the image as stored on your computer also has little to do with how big an image you can actually print. Rendering software and very large carriage printer (6-8 feet wide) can take your digital photo files and make them into life sized prints with no manual intervention.

The optics that you have out in front of the sensor will make an impact on your results. The differences between a point and shooter like a Kodak and a DSLR like the Canon Rebel would only be apparent on larger prints and at the periphery of the image. A professional would be hard pressed to tell the difference between 2 images - 1 from a point and shooter and 1 from a DSLR - of the same subject without using a magnifying glass to go over the edges of the print.

A DSLR gives you flexibilty over the point and shooter. Choice of lenses for example. Also the flash on a point and shooter is usually useless,so if you do some indoor work, having the abilty to choose from a selection of flashes and other lighting gives much better results.

Photography in the end is less about the tools and more about the shooter having an eye for composition, detail and light. I still get stunning results from an ancient Argus C3 35mm film camera.

Answer 4

at a good resoution and if its a good shot about SRA3. you may be able to get it up to A2 even A1 but you will start spreading the pixels to far and the quality will come downquite a bit.

if its a good shot that you want to display in the home for exsample get it printed on canvas as big as you can afford the texture in the canvas will distract the eya from the loss of detail.

hop this helps.

This is also asuming you have set your camera to the highest resoltion setting!

Answer 5

Great answer, I did not know that you could multiple the resolution height by the weights to get the Mega pixels.

Answer 6

I'm guessing with a 6 MP camera at the fine setting...probably get a decent 11X14 no doubt a very decent 8X10.