5 megapixels vs. 7 megapixels

[amol]

MP isn't always everything

If you're talking about a P&S, you have to worry about what kind of lens it is, optical zoom, sensor size, and other things

 

[bob4432]

in my case i bought a s70 vs a s60 because even though one would think the s70 would have more noise because of the tighter packed image sensor, i guess canon switched to a different sony sensor with better algorithms so the s70 was better with less noise all over the board, but i still mostly shoot 1600x1200 unless. i couldn't pass it up for $350 @ dell when they were having one of their crazy sells and added some coupons on it nice camera, nice p/s and full manual since i want to learn photography

 

[SSP]

Originally posted by: bob4432
in my case i bought a s70 vs a s60 because even though one would think the s70 would have more noise because of the tighter packed image sensor, i guess canon switched to a different sony sensor with better algorithms so the s70 was better with less noise all over the board, but i still mostly shoot 1600x1200 unless. i couldn't pass it up for $350 @ dell when they were having one of their crazy sells and added some coupons on it nice camera, nice p/s and full manual since i want to learn photography

Canon make their own sensors.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: SSP

Originally posted by: bob4432
in my case i bought a s70 vs a s60 because even though one would think the s70 would have more noise because of the tighter packed image sensor, i guess canon switched to a different sony sensor with better algorithms so the s70 was better with less noise all over the board, but i still mostly shoot 1600x1200 unless. i couldn't pass it up for $350 @ dell when they were having one of their crazy sells and added some coupons on it nice camera, nice p/s and full manual since i want to learn photography

Canon make their own sensors.

sorry, i guess my info was wrong, but from what i read, the same applies to whatever sensor is in the s60/70...

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
Ok.. Down to the wire..

Picked out the camera(s) from this thread..

Now, Do I need 7 megapixel?

I will be printing mostly 3x5 & 4x6's and an occasional 8x10.. Do I need a 7mp to do that? What can a 5mp camera "print" up to

Don't fall into the megapixel trap. The lens is what really makes the difference. You could have a cheap 8 mp imager behind a cheap lens, and you'll get 8mp of grainy blur.

Besides, even if you get a quality 5 mp camera and shoot at full resolution, the pictures turn out HUGE. You will end up resizing them so you can look at them on your monitor.

No. Not really. What you've said would be nothing but the truth if we were talking about Dslr cameras.
If a lens is all that important on compact cameras, Canon Pro 1 should be the best camera as it uses L lens. Lens is important but not as much as you think it is.
Also, CCD size used to be very important a while ago but not in these days as the processors have gotton so much better.

 

[Deadtrees]

Image quality wise, the first thing you should consider is what kind of color you prefer. I can't really use any other compact cameras beside Canon as I'm hooked on their vivid/strong colors. For me, Sony would be the worst one as Sony's camera produces rather dull colors. On the other hand, some find Canon's image to be too colorful and soft so they walk away(However, Canon's soft image issue can be easily fixed by appling 1-3 steps of sharpening+contrast).

 

[Deadtrees]

For

Small size : Canon SD10(fits in jeans just like cellphones), Contax i4r - Both uses fixed focal lens which produces amazing macro shots and image quality is better than those that use zoom lens. However, if you think you really need zoom lens, consider other Canon's SD lines.

Indoor : Fuji F10 (Supports usable ISO1600! Revolution in campact cameras)

Outdoor : Panasonic FZ5, FZ20 (12x zoom. 36mm~432mm. Full Manual functions)

 

[TomKazansky]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt

Originally posted by: infestedgh0st
why do people care about MP so much......MP IS NOT EVERYTHING.

then pick me out a camera.

It needs to be:

Small (has to fit in my wifes purse)
Take EXCELLENT outdoor/indoor shots (we are having a baby soon)
take decent macro shots (I will use it for i-hacked a lot too, taking pictures of circuits and such)
be pretty much point and shoot.

Price: $500 is probably the top, but doesnt have to be.

canon sd 200/300/400/500

any one of those are better than some other crap. small, compact, fast, digic II is teh best out there, and uses one of the best lens in its class.

price ranges from the low 200s to the high 500s USD. I have a SD300 - it's amazing how Canon can fit such a nice package into such a small amount of space.

btw MP IS STILL NOT EVERYTHING! Just because the camera went from traditional film to digital doesn't mean it loses all traits of similarities from the traditional ones. Anything more then 3MP is good enough for everyday point and shoot (and printing your 4x6 or 8x11s). Sony and their high MP cameras have CRAP image processing (since non-DSLR MUST have image processing), and their lenses are also crap compare to Nikons or Canon. Sony's lens sensitivity is also inferior compare to Nikons or Canons.

The only time you need major MP is when you need to produce an image that is big. And I mean big as in your wall in your bedroom or so.

If you want to go professional DSLR, Canon EOS and Nikon SLR lines are both great choices. I'd probably go with Nikons. But recently I got a Canon EOS to play with, and now I can't really decide which pick.