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Note: This is dated information; however
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Mega Pixels - How Many Do You Need?(This really happened; but it could have been my story too!) Today I overheard a sales clerk describing the different mega pixel cameras available and what size of photos you can print with them. I didn't agree with the clerk's statements, that seemed to encourage the customer to buy more mega pixels (more expensive camera) than he might need or is necessary. I've also read many articled that would support the clerk's statements; so I'm not saying the clerk was wrong either. This is about what I've experienced and I am happy with.
I own three digital cameras - 1.2, 2.1 and 4 mega pixels. I print on an HP PhotoSmart P1000 printer which uses 8.5" x 11" paper. (Better printers are more affordable now.) My 1.2 mega pixel camera photos will print very good 4" x 6" prints. I've even printed a few good 5" x 7" prints when the subject was still and had good lighting - bright sun, in shadow portraits. With my 2.1 mega pixel camera, I regularly print 8" x 10"s. Maybe you'll be more critical, like the experts; but I'm really happy with what I print and am proud to give them as gifts. Do you need more mega pixels? I bought the four mega pixel camera because I wanted a shirt pocket sized camera that I could carry with me anytime, anywhere and the price and the technology was within my limits. I have yet to print any digital image larger than 8" x 10." When was the last time you had one of your pictures printed larger? (Update: I have had an 11" x 14" photo printed from that 4 mega pixel camera with excellent results.) In fact, I occasionally find the 4 mega pixel, larger files a bit of a problem. They have doubled the number of CD-Rs I need to store a month's worth of photos. (Now, with 5 and 8 megapixel cameras, I need DVDs.) They need to be resized (smaller) for any web pages and for e-mailing to most of my friends and relatives. I also find the larger files do not resize well when I want to print a collage of many small photos on an 8" x 10" print. Here is a little more of today's story.It seems the husband wanted to "move up" to a digital camera. He was the one who played with the computer and printer at home. His wife also wanted a new camera, but didn't do the computer thing. Her problem was she wanted to have prints in her hand to look at, carry round and give out - difficult with a digital. Or is it? With a 35 mm. film camera, you still have to purchase the film, pay for the developing and printing, even the bad and not so good ones. You'll probably not take very many extra photos either. With a digital camera there is the larger initial cost of the camera, a few extra memory cards and batteries and charger. Take all the photos you want. Take a hundred of the new baby or the birthday boy. Bracket when you want. Take those low light photos to see what you get. Take a picture of behind the fridge to see what's there. Want to remember a price list in the store? Trying to match a pattern? Take a photo of it. My mother usually cut off a head, or the feet or even half a body. With
the digital camera you can see right away if its good. Forgot the flash,
take another. Someone moved, take another photo.
Feel free to experiment. It only cost to recharge the batteries. Delete anything you don't want so only the good, better, best ones are left. Don't own or use the computer? Take your memory card to the drugstore and pay them to print only your best ones. Order extras of that one special photo right away because you've already seen it on the camera. No negatives. Have the files stored on a CD at the same time. I'm not saying that my digital cameras take better quality photos. They don't. I have good 35 mm. SLR cameras sitting in the closet. But I sure have enjoyed my digital cameras more over the past three years. I've taken several thousand photos instead of several hundred. I've also given more printed photos away, along with the digital ones I've shared on CDs with family members. I think my wife has even forgiven me for buying my first, second and third digital camera. She is not afraid to take more than a few extras to get the right one. I try to make the effort and print the good ones quickly, and as many as she wants to give to family and friends. Here is a table showing a few quality settings and their approximate file sizes for 5,6 and 8 megapixel cameras. I have a few pages I call "Web demos" and a web "Gallery" of places and stuff.
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