Digital SLR shopping, confused on pixels: is 10.2 good or bad?

Question

I'm finally crawling out from under my rock and upgrading from film to digital. I know the basics of pixels and how it really has to do with how the image will print. But does the higher the number mean the better the image? I'm currently looking at a camera with 10.2 megapixels...is this good? Any help appreciated, thanks!

Answer 1

Higher Megapixel Count does *not* necessarily equate to a better image, because it ignores the impacts of pixel density on image quality. Folks who think "the more megapixels the better" don't have a grasp on the underlying science, and have bought into the marketing hype. And the marketing hype emphasizes megapixels because it's easy to measure, not because it's the definitive benchmark on image quality. In fact, by in large, pixel count is *not* a measure of quality. It's a measure of quantity.

There are two things you can affect by increasing the pixel count.--image size, and image sharpness. So, a 10megapixel is good if you want to print out at poster-sized images. That's not a measure of the image's quality...only its size.

Image sharpness is something that can contribute to the overall image quality, for sure. So, in that respect, having more pixels in your image is good. But keep in mind, image sharpness is only one of the critical components of good image quality. And having more megapixels doesn't necessarily equate to image sharpness, if the pixels don't do a good job at resolving the image details. One thing to consider is that at more extreme pixel densities, each individual photosite is so small it starts to lose it's ability to do a good job at correctly rendering an accurate color sample. What does that mean? It means you might have more dots on your sensor, but each dot does a lousy job at rendering the color it is supposed to display. That translates to clipped highlights (bright areas are washed out as plain white instead of subtle shades) lousy dynamic range (dark shades can also be lost and translated as plain black instead of subtle shades), image noise, and moire artifacts.

So, you can have a 10mp full-frame sensor and that will produce good images. But if you try to cram those 10mp onto a 1/2.8" sensor, you're going to get lousy dynamic range. So, consider the impact of pixel density when you consider how many megapixels it has. Personally, I'd take an 8mp Fuji SuperCCD over a Sony 10mp standard CCD sensor (Sony sensors are used by many of the top brands, including Canon and Sony themselves) any day, because I don't ever need to print out an image at 24"x36". I'd rather have the increased dynamic range over the increased image size. Quality...not quantity. That's why you often hear folks like Simon Joinson who runs DPReview bemoan the "megapixel race." They have often said that they would rather see manufacturers rally around higher-quality, more sensitive 8mp sensors versus shooting for 10 or even 12mp sensors. But it's hard to defend against a public that has difficulty measuring something as vague as dynamic range whereas anybody could count megapixels.

Is 10 megapixels good? Is it bad? You ask this without any indication of the sensor size, or the the pixel density, or if it's a high-gain photosensor. You can't say flat out just by the pixel count. Is Nikon's 10mp aps-sized sensor good? How about Canon's 12mp 35.8 x 23.9 mm CMOS sensor? Actually, yes both of those are outstanding. Most aps-sized or larger 10mp CMOS sensors are quite good at rendering good images. The photosites on those sensors are large enough to produce colors accurately. But is a 1/1.8" 10mp sensor any good? Personally...I think they suck. They do lousy in reviews, and are constantly dinged for lost dynamic range. And it has everything to do with cramming too many mediocre pixels into each millimeter. You haven't mentioned what model is the one you're looking at, so there's no telling whether it's good or not. But basically, I'd stick with the larger sensor sizes, when considering a camera that has that many pixels.

Answer 2

Absolutely, most consumer and "pro-sumer" (those cameras that bridge the gap between amateur and pro lines) are all moving towards 10.2 megapixels.

In theory the higher the megapixel count the better the resolution of the photograph (or to think of it another way the more information it can capture).

Most well known manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus) all offer a 10.2MP camera that will take exceedingly sharp photographs.

Megapixel count becomes really important if you plan on doing a lot of enlarging (especially to sizes greater than 8x10). If you find yourself shooting a lot of landscapes or nature and making larger pictures you'll want to look for a 10MP camera.

If, however, you find yourself doing a lot of "normal" shooting and just having 3x5 or 5x7 prints made you can save yourself some money and down select to a 5.1MP model. The clarity and detail you capture with these models will be very similar (in fact many say almost indescernable) to what you get from a 10.2MP especially if you print normal snapshot sizes.

Which brand you should buy depends on a number of factors. If you're currently shooting film SLR's and have a number of lenses (say Nikon for instance) you may do well to consider a Nikon digital equivalent. Most (but not all) film SLR lens mounts are compatible with their digital counterparts.

There are exceptions in the Canon and Nikon lines (but a well informed camera salesman can walk you through that).

If you're not wedded to a particular camera brand I suggest going to a camera store and holding the different manufacturers brands in your hands. How do they feel? Are they comfortable, do the controls make sense to you, how does the viewfinder look.

Any of the major brands will offer a wide variety of top quality lenses (of course the Canon guys will tell you their catalog is the biggest and the Nikon guys will tell you theirs are the best) so it's up to you to decide.

Whichever you choose take some time picking out a good quality lens. Most dSLR's ship with a "kit" lens that is usually a decent quality zoom in the 18-55mm focal range. Kit lenses tend to be good everyday lenses, but you can do better so take some time talking to your camera store guy, anyone worth their salt can tell you which lenses are best.

Good luck and happy shooting!

Answer 3

I'm currently looking at a camera with 10.2 megapixels...is this good?

YES!!!

But does the higher the number mean the better the image?

the higher the number the bigger you can blow up your picture without messing you picture up to bad.

The mega pixels do affect the quality of your picture but you will not notice the difference between a standard size photo taken by a 5 megapixel camera or a 10.2 megapixel camera.

Hope it helps....

Answer 4

These are all great answers. One key point hinted at is the quality of the lens itself. I would argue that the quality of the LENS is MORE important than the number of megapixels (within a band). So, look for a company with known, branded lens optics. Avoid Digital Zoom ONLY cameras altogether. 10MP is the high end now, so search around and look for 7,8,9,and 10Megapixel cameras but focus on the description of the LENS. HIGHER quality glass can make even lower MP CCD/CMOS elements really shine. On the other hand, you can buy a 10MP camera with a horrible lens and realize that you wasted your money.

Consider SONY, NIKON, CANON, MINOLTA and CASIO since they are known for their top-quality glass in the compact digital camera format. IF you choose a D-SLR body with separate lens, then you'll have LOTS of combination choices.

Compact Digital cameras with great MP and optics with run $250-$400 today. Great D-SLR body/lens combos (like the new Digital Rebel) will set you back $750-$1000 today.

Answer 5

A 10.2 megapixels is very very decent.Quality of the pic does'nt depend on megapixels,unless you want to enlarge them.Mega pixels is not a primary thing to look for when you are shopping for a DSLR.Look for the features like ISO,WB,speed and stuff like that.

Answer 6

10.2 megapexel is smokin'! Don't just go for the megapexals though. Choose a camera from a company that has a reputation for lenses. Like Canon and Sony. The glass is important too .

Answer 7

10 megapixels is now the darling field in consumer DSLR development. The February 2007 issue of Popular Photography has an article where they compared the top 10 MP DSLR's.

You will find this interesting. I took the scores and ranked the cameras similar to the way Formula 1 gives championship points. I just gave 5 for 1st place down to 1 for last place, splitting the difference when cameras tied in their catagories.

They evaluated Image Quality (giving this twice as much weight as anything else), Ease of Use, Control, and System Flexibility.

The final order and my scores are:

Nikon D80 - 17.5 points
- BEST in Image Quality, Control and System Flexibility
Canon Rebel XTi (400D) - 13.5 points
- Tied for best in System Flexibility
Pentax K10D - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Samsung GX10 - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Sony Alpha 100 - 7 points
- LAST in Image Quality, Ease of Use and System Flexibility."

Then again, the same magazine that put the Sony Alpha 100 dead last in this comparison named it the camera of the year in the previous issue!

This review is now available online at: http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html

Answer 8

Yes this is good! The more pixels the better, 10.2 is more than enough for casual use of a camera and more like something for photographers.

Answer 9

Sounds like the Nikon D80 or the Sony DSLR-A100...and yes 10.2 MP is perfectly fine...more than fine!
But, remember that image quality not only depends on the camera itself, but it also depends on the quality of the lens you are using.

Answer 10

Skygirl .... 10 and higher is fine. If it's a NIKON or CANON you should have no problems. I have a D200 w/ 10.2 mp and absolutly love this camera. The censor is what makes the camera tick. check out www.dpreview.com for camera reviews.
Good luck and happy shooting!!!!