megapixels or optical zoom?

Question

I want to buy a new camera but i cant decide if i need more megapixels or opitcal zoom. i want to shoot in the outdoors and sporting events so do you think megapixels or opitcal zoom is more important. if i print pictures it will be 5 x 7 or 8 x 10, no bigger.

Answer 1

For sporting events you need a good optical zoom. The megapixels you need for the size of prints you want every modern camera has.
Try the different Panasonic Lumix cameras. They have
- large optical zoom
- top quality lenses
- image stabilizer.

Answer 2

Megapixels are "done" in the industry, even though manufacturers have us addicted to them. At about 6 megapixels, which just about every camera these days has (or more), the image quality arguably starts to degrade for low-light or action shots as you increase the megapixels. Below I'm citing a New York Times column by David Pogue called "Breaking The Myth Of Megapixels" if you want all the gory details.

But for a simple answer to your question: go for optical zoom and pay no attention to megapixel count. I'd highly recommend going to DPReview.com to read up on the various models. Taking sports shots is one of the toughest types of photography.

Answer 3

Because you want to use it at sporting events go for the optical zoom because it is way better than digital zoom. Depending on the camera digital zoom will pixilate the photo ofter 3 - 5x where as optical zoom that is done by lenses will not pixilate the picture at all. If 8x10 is the biggest picture you are going to be printing a 4 mega pixel camera should be good enough, if you have the money get a 5 but a 4 with 10x optical zoom would be better.

Answer 4

In a pinch i'd opt for the optical zoom. Of course this depends on the optical zoom you are talking about vs the difference in pixels are you are deciding between. No matter how high the pixel count is it won't matter much if your lenses are of poor quality. It just means you'll have poor quality high resolution images. If you know the lens quality is good it's worth it to go for the higher resolution. If you are deciding between, say 7 and 10 megapixels it'll probably be safe opting for the 7 and getting a higher optical zoom (over 3x?). Higher optical zoom will get more practical usage then higher mega pixels (unless you plan to do a LOT of print work). At high zoom, unless you have plenty of sun light, you may want to look into something with a built in image stabilizer.

Answer 5

Im all about the MP. But more megapixels can be wasteful, one your going to be needing a bigger memory card for your camera, and if your camera has an 6 or more MP you better have one of the latest computers so you can veiw and edit with no lag there is a plus side a very high quality picture. its ultimately up to you in a sporting scene with a digital camera you will find yourself using the digital zoom on the camera which will result in a reduction of quality, so my best bet is to buy a high MP cam with an option that you can add another lense add on, later if you feel so, to improve the optical zoom a lot of digital cameras are like this. Just make sure it has an option to add an optical zoom extender.

Answer 6

On a still digital camera, I think resolution is more important because you are not going to get that great of a zoom lens no matter what. If you did then you are probably buying a top of the line digital camera with magazine cover quality resolution anyway. I would go for 6+ megapixels. If it comes with a good optical zoom, that's even better.

Answer 7

the latest industry "standard" is about 6 mega pixels minimum. I personally prefer a camera with a good optical zoom, and I think you know digital zoom does not enlarge well. I am waiting until march to get the new panasonic lumix dmc-tz3. it has 7.2 m p and a 10x optical zoom. add image stabilization and jpeg movies with audio and you have a great package for $350 usd. You can certainly find cheaper cams out there but with only 3-4x optical, and better cams with 12x, that are huge and expensive. this one is a good size and packed with features. I currently use an older olympus c-50 zoom and it is just time for an upgrade.

Answer 8

If you're not planning on printing anything larger than 8x10 then go for something with 6 Megapixels and try to get the biggest sensor available (try to get something with a 1/1.8" sensor, not those tiny 1/2.5" that they put in neat little cameras).

I would suggest the Canon S3 IS as a good option.

Take care!

Ignacio

Answer 9

Optical zoom will give better quality if you have to choose, but it's more expensive.

Answer 10

Check out the Kodak V570...I just bought one last week and it is an awesome camera. I bought a refurbished one from Kodak.com for halk of what the cost in the store. I dont think I could have gotten a better camera for the price I payed

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=7402&pq-locale=en_US