Of 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, 8x12, 11x14 digital photo prints, which are the most accurate format?

Question

I am guessing digital photo prints have standard formats because it's cost effective (5x7, 8x10, 8x12, 11x14). But which format is closet in dimensions so that it most closely imitates the dimensions of your LCD screen, so what you see is basically what you get, assuming you don't do cropping? Also, can you create odd-sized print dimensions?

Answer 1

There's no "standard" format. In general 4x6 is what if often ordered, when printing. It is just customary so cheapest (or "cost effective").

Most D-SLR shoot 1:1.5 (or 2:3) format.
4x6, 8x12, 12x18 are "full frame" for DSLR

Most P&S shoot about 1:1.25 (or 3:4) format.
4x5, 8x10, 11x14 are "full frame" for digital P&S

Note that some format like 3x5, 5x7 are does not neatly fall into any catagory.
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Any time you try to fit one format into any other format there will be some clipping (cropping). There no escaping that, unless you want to distort images. So if you print an image from P&S on 4x6, you will get cropping at top and bottom (length wise).
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I don't know what you mean by "odd size". You do your own printing, you can do whatever you want. If you send it out for print, they will only have preset print papers sizes (and you trim off the excess.)

Answer 2

Yes, get at least a 7 megapixel camera. It will provide a very good quality picture for 8x10 prints. From cost perspective, it's worth the extra few dollars than settling for a 6 or 5 megapixel camera. Canon and Sony make some excellent 7 MP cameras. I got mine from eBay, just be careful you get a seller than has 99% or better feedback rating and at least a few hundred transactions. Hope this helps!