do megapixels really count?

Question

im planning on getting an SLR camera but it only has five megapixels, the same as my current really stupid camera. would the pictures still come out better? because i really love the camera and the features but im worried about the mega pxiels,all the other cameras that have more megapixels are either out of my priice range or dont have as many good featues

thankkiieess :D <3

photography is my hobby :D
and im only gonna be spending about $200-$400
not $3000 silly :D

the camera i have is
http://www.shopzilla.com/12--Kodak_Easyshare_C310_-_cat_id--402__keyword--kodak%20easyshare%20c310__prod_id--330012480
the camera i plan on getting is
http://www.shopzilla.com/12--Canon_PowerShot_S2_IS_-_cat_id--402__prod_id--305879870

Answer 1

First things first. The S2-IS is NOT an SLR camera. It's not a bad camera, but it's not an SLR. My daughter has had hers for about 6 months now and loves it. I don't love it as much, but it does take nice pictures under most circumstances.

The sensor is thee same size in both cameras, but your camera is actually a 4.0 MP camera and the S2-IS is a 5.0 MP camera. The pixels might be an advantage, but probably only slight. The S2-IS and other "super zoom" cameras simply could not manage that amount of zoom with a bigger sensor, so you have to accept the smalelr sensor as a compromise necessary to achieve the high level of zoom. There are other factors to consider. In your Kodak, you only have digital zoom, which is poor quality compared to the optical zoom of the Canon. The Canon lens is about 2 full stops "brighter" than the Kodak, so this will help a lot in lower light or in action shots.

Here's my stock answer on how many pixels are enough:

If you always plan to compose your pictures perfectly, you don't need a whole lot of pixels. These days, I'd say that 5 MP or even 4 MP is fine for the average snapshooter and this can be obtained without unreasonable expense. 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 2

MORE MEGAPIXELS IS A MARKETING PLOY!

The biggest factor in getting quality images from a camera is you. If you are skilled and talented you'll get great images from just about anything.

Here's my list of factors impacting image quality:

80% - the photgrapher
16% - the lens
3% - the media
1% - the rest of the stuff

The photographer has the greatest impact on image quality. You can give a Canon 1DS to an butthead and they'll get poor results. You can give a low end Point and Shooter to a skilled and talented photographer and they'll make magic.

The lens or lens system is the next biggest factor, or the single biggest hardware factor. Optics can make or break a photographic moment. You can set up a number of cameras in the same frame with similar settings and the SLR/DSLR will always get a superior result, just from having a better quality lens.

The media has an impact on image quality also - digital or film. Not all sensors and film are equal. Many sensors do a poor job at low and high ISO setting as an example. Obviously the sensor in a high end DSLR is going to have better performance than the sensor in a $50 WMart special. Its the same for film. For most folks the consumer grade is just fine, but if you are looking for a special result there are special films to get it for you.

The rest of the stuff - including megapixel marketing, aperture, shutter speed, shutter lag, boot time, memory speed, etc. - acocunt for less than 1% of your result.

Sorry, but thats the reality of photography - digital and film - megapixels just don't matter.

Answer 3

If you're planning on making really big enlargements of your photos (11x14 inches or larger) then mega-pixels do matter. More mega-pixels translates to larger picture file sizes and greater detail in the pictures (small objects will look much sharper). A 4x6 inch print from a 2 mega-pixel camera doesn't look that much different from a 4x6 from a 6 mp camera.
The difference will be much more noticeable in an 8x10 print from either camera (The 6mp print will have much greater detail). If you're seriously considering the Canon IS-2 (a fine camera, you'll love the 12x zoom) take a look at the Canon IS-3 (only 341.95 from dell using yer shopzilla) The IS-3 is almost identical to the IS-2, except it is a 6 mp camera. Also, the IS-2 and 3 are NOT SLRs. you will not be able to change lenses on these two cameras (except to add accessory telephoto or wide angle booster lenses that screw onto the cameras using an adapter tube) How ever, the IS-2 or 3 WOULD be an excellent camera for an up'n coming amateur photographer. The 12x optical zoom is equivalent to an 480mm telephoto for a film SLR.
The equivalent lens for a digital SLR would cost at least twice as much as you'll spend on the IS-3 itself. Hope this helps. Enjoy your new camera!!!

Answer 4

What camera is it? Most SLRs are minium of 6.
Sigh... Now that you posted you want the S1, that isnt a SLR. But it will take better imagine quality than smaller compact cameras because it has a larger sensor. A SLR has a moving mirror inside that swings up to expose the sensor to light, this camera has light always exposed to the sensor which makes it not an SLR.

Canon Rebel, Nikon D40, D50,D70, Pentax *ist all of these are SLRs, the Nikon D40 is probably the best SLR you can get at the price Nikon sells it for, but bewared if you do buy it not all Nikon lens work for it. You will have to research which do and which dont. SLRs are about $600-700 with a lens kit... sorry.

Megapixels mean NOTHING TO YOUR IMAGINE QUALITY. Its all about the sensor. If the sensor sucks then the imagine is going to suck. MP just tell you how big you can make the picture before it becomes pixelated. Since the SLR has a larger sensor than your old camera (I am assuming its a compact point and shoot camera) the SLR will have a better quality picture because the sensor is larger. The larger the sensor the more data the sensor can take in, this in turn results in better imagine quality. Get the Canon Rebel XT or XTi if you want a lot of MP. XT cost about 600 now I believe. Both take excellent pictures just if your willing to spend that much on the camera. (Remember lens are equal or even more important than the body itself.)

Example: A camera that has 10 MP but a small sensor (Canon Rebel XTi) and a camera with 8MP with a large sensor (Canon 30D). The Canon Rebel has more MP than the 30D but the 30D has better imagine quality because it has a larger sensor than the Rebel. The larger the sensor the more data the sensor can take in, this results in better pictures (better contrast, color distinctions, sharpness, color tones, etc.)

Long story short:
-Megapixels (MP) mean NOTHING to imagine quality.
-MP just tells you how big you can blow up a picture before it pixelates
-Its all about the sensor
-Larger the sensor the better the imagine quality

Answer 5

I teach digital photography and mega pixels do count. Sorry but 5 mega pixels is out of date. A mega pixel is a million pixels. The more pixels the clearer or better resolution the photograph will be. Now 5 mega pixels will print out a good quality photo if you make sure you set your image size as high as possible on the camera and set the printer properties high, also use good quality paper. I understand you cannot afford a really expensive one but why not work on the camera you have considering the one you want to buy has the same amount of pixels and save up a little more and upgrade to six mega pixels.

Your digital photograph is made up of pixels which are tiny dots, visible using a microscope in an image editing program when you zoom in, when you zoom out they merge together to make up your photo.

The best editing features are found on your computer using an image editing program, you can see your photo more clearly on a pc than on the camera.

I hope this helps, sorry if it isnt what you want to hear

Answer 6

Megapixels do count because the higher the amount of megapixels the larger the photo is and the larger the photo can be printed. without pixelating and distorting the image.

A good quality lens is alos important because a 7 megapixel didgital camera with a budget plastic lens will take a low quality photo even though it has pleanty of megapixels. The camera camera has a great lens. 5 megapixels is heaps and canon cameras are great i am now on my third didgital camera and they have all been canon. I have had friends by some of the cheap kodak cameras that have had more megapixels than my canon but my pictures are still clearer than theres because of my lens.

Answer 7

Yes the megapixels do count. 5 megapixels is good for enlarging a picture up to 8x10 After that you will begin to notice the pixels. In other words it will begin to get blurry. I would recomend a Canon rebel xti. A great camera 10 megapixels. Enough to print posters.The best thing about slr's is that you get better zoom. You can change the lens and always get clear shots. Also they are extremly fast. Up to 5 pictures in a single second. I hope that helps.

Answer 8

The Canon S2 IS is not a digital SLR! It's main strength is it's 12x optical zoom.

If I was buying a new camera today, I would not choose one with only 5MP.
But, if a camera with more megapixels is out of your price range, then it should be just fine I suppose. However, there are better cameras around.

Answer 9

Megapixel is same whether it's an SLR or non-SLR camera. In SLR , youv'e more manual control. Those for good for professionals and photo enthusiasts. Unless you're using the camera to take serious pictures and make a living out of it, you don't have to worry. 5MP will suffice. But again, higher megapixel is good, but then again ask yourself if you want to spend $3000 or above for a camera that won't make you any money. If you don't care about the money. Go and buy a 10MP.
But if you're only plan is to take casual shots and do home prints with $200 printers, then 5MP is fine. For the monitor this is more than enough. It only matters for large prints.
If you have a $10,000 camera and a $200 printer, it's just useles.
Good professional printers cost atleat $1500 or more which does better printing closer to the color of your original picture.

Answer 10

brOOtal,

A Point and Shoot 5 MP camera doesn't offer your the same features a DSLR 5MP camera will.
Buying a camera with more MPs, either PnS or DSLR, will not give you better photos, only bigger photos.
You seem to really enjoy photography, so, I am taking the time to give you the best advice I can. "Take a Photography Course" and learn how to improve you photos' quality and how to use your actual camera's features to the maximum.

Send me a picture you've made afterwards.

Best wishes!!!