Is there a big difference between a 7.1 and 10.0 megapixel camera?

Question

I really want the Olympus 7.1 mp that is waterproof and shockproof, but Olympus also makes a camera that is 10.0...but not waterproof/shockproof...

someone said you wont really be able to tell, is this true? I like to always have the "best" technology out there but also want the waterproof/shockproof feature...any thoughts that would help me make my decision?

Answer 1

A 10-megapixel sensor on a point & shoot camera is marketing hype. You need a professional quality lens to resolve more than 7 or 8 megapixels... which no point & shoot has. That's mostly because professional quality zoom lenses cost several hundreds of dollars. Canon and Nikon make tons of them, but because they're so freaking expensive they only sell them for (digital) SLR cameras. I use one myself (the $1200 Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8).
So your friend is right. You can't tell the difference. You could slap on a 20-megapixel sensor, but if the lens only passes along 7 megapixels worth of information, 7 megapixels is all you're going to record.
Besides, 7-megapixels is more than enough to make full page prints.
Get the waterproof/shockproof model!

Answer 2

If you have to have the best get the 10 mpx, personnally if you have photoshop the 7.1 that is shock proof and water proof is the better deal. Does the 7.1 shoot in raw? I bet it does, and that's really all you need. You could still blow it up to poster size easily.
By the way, water proof to what depth, 10 feet? It needs to be at least 20 to be useful for serious underwater photography.
Get the 7.1 and invest in photoshop ($500).

EDIT:
Just talked to a friend of mine and apparently if you really feel you can be the next Ansel Adams then you should go with the ten - because if you're trying to make Fine Art then of course you need the quality to be flawless. Just understand that your whiole work flow will change because of the size of the images.

If you just want really nice vacation photos, then get the 7.1.

Answer 3

Choose 7.1 - here is why.

If you are not going to blow up pictures to the poster size, 7.1 is plenty. 10 will do just a touch better only in blow up situations even then, you can't tell the diff. Now, how often will you be doing that? Once a year? Once in ten years? Never?

Megapixels have to be understood. More is not necessarily better. It all depends on your application.

Answer 4

he higher the mega[pixel rating, the better the picture resolution, especially on blowups.