How many pixels for photo ???

Mike · 13-08-2007, 10:54

Hi all

Are there set recommendations for how many pixels make a good quality photo. Reason being my camera is set to 6 millon pixels and is filling up my pc pretty quick. As I only normally print maximum size 8" x 10" would a lower setting still give the same results.

Many thanks for your time.

Mike

**Chris** · 13-08-2007, 11:16

A lower setting will not give the same results. I'd say 6 megapixels is a good resolution if you print at 8x10 ins but it depends what sort of pictures you're taking and how sharp your eyes are.

You can try reducing the image size setting in the camera a little and see whether you can tell the difference, or alternatively you can try increasing the JPEG compression on your camera (the quality setting).

At the size you're printing, though, I think you will probably notice any reduction in size or quality.

Have a look at buying yourself an external hard drive for your digital photos - they are getting cheaper all the time.

Mike · 13-08-2007, 11:36

Good piont about the external hard drive.............any recommedations on a good one and what to look for ?

Thanks again

Mike

altis · 13-08-2007, 11:37

There's a good discussion about this here:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

Ken suggests 7.2 megapixels for a 10 x 8 print so I'd say 6 would be fine. I nearly always shoot at 5 mp even though my camera offers 9.1 mp!

If you want to know why you shouldn't buy a camera with too many megapixels read this:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/

If you want to understand a bit more about digital cameras try some of these:
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/

Uncle Peter · 13-08-2007, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

Good piont about the external hard drive.............any recommedations on a good one and what to look for ?

Thanks again

Mike

Freecom Toughdrive Pro: great little usb powered drive and shockproof to boot. My server techs at work use them to shift data between sites and they've proven to have a very low failure rate.

altis · 13-08-2007, 11:57

But remember, for security, store your photos in more than one place! You could archive them to several DVDs.

Some more good suggestions in here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=19508176

13-08-2007, 13:56

I would be inclined to leave the camera settings as they are at 6 million Mike as they make a much more usable photo for editing and printing.

For the photo's that you know you just want to view or save on the computer why don't you just resize them, that way you keep the quality for the printer and you also ultilise the hard drive space you have.

Taf · 13-08-2007, 15:39

Just wait for the 1 pixel cameras to come out (I am not kidding).

Delta Whiskey · 13-08-2007, 16:01

Always capture at the best possible setting your camera has, you can always reduce quality later. Back up all your images to hard drive and CD/DVD disk, and check the back up is readable on another computer. I know it's obvious, but you don't have a film negative as insurance with a digital camera. If the hard drives dies you lose everything. There are plenty of external USB hard drives around, Maplin have this 320Gig unit for £60 http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...rce=1&doy=13m8

Hom3r · 13-08-2007, 18:38

I bought the Casio EX-Z1050 10.1 mega pixels camera (3648 x 2736 - poster size) superb quality

http://www.comet.co.uk/cometbrowse/s...hTerm=EX-Z1050

£135 not bad price

Mike · 13-08-2007, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaffer_gump

I would be inclined to leave the camera settings as they are at 6 million Mike as they make a much more usable photo for editing and printing.

For the photo's that you know you just want to view or save on the computer why don't you just resize them, that way you keep the quality for the printer and you also ultilise the hard drive space you have.

Sounds great but won't I lose the quality if I want to print later............if not how does it work ???

Thanks

Mike

SMHarman · 13-08-2007, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

Hi all

Are there set recommendations for how many pixels make a good quality photo. Reason being my camera is set to 6 millon pixels and is filling up my pc pretty quick. As I only normally print maximum size 8" x 10" would a lower setting still give the same results.

Many thanks for your time.

Mike

A rule of thumb is
6x4 = 2mp
7x5 = 3mp
8x10 = 4mp
and so on. These are minimums to get a 300dpi image at those levels. That means no cropping or anything else.
6mp is about where you need to be. You just need a better storage location or two.

Hom3r · 13-08-2007, 22:50

some of my pic in 10meg are 6.5MB

13-08-2007, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

Sounds great but won't I lose the quality if I want to print later............if not how does it work ???

Thanks

Mike

If your anything like me you will have 100's if not 1000's that you know you will never print out, you will also have a fair idea on the ones that are worth printing.

Just resize the ones that you know won't be printed, it makes no odds where you store them as you will be saving space, as other people have pointed out it don't take long to start filling the space you have real quick.

Druchii · 14-08-2007, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

There's a good discussion about this here:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

Ken suggests 7.2 megapixels for a 10 x 8 print so I'd say 6 would be fine. I nearly always shoot at 5 mp even though my camera offers 9.1 mp!

If you want to know why you shouldn't buy a camera with too many megapixels read this:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/

If you want to understand a bit more about digital cameras try some of these:
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/

That was an excellent read, thanks