How to Choose a Camera Resolution

The one feature most digital camera buyers give the most thought to is camera resolution, or the amount of dots (pixels) the image contains. This is important because the more dots you have, the sharper the image will be. The amount of resolution you need from your camera will depend on what you plan to do with the pictures you take.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Learn the resolution terminology of digital cameras. In digital cameras, resolution is usually measured in megapixels. A pixel is a dot and mega stands for million. So, a 6-megapixel camera can take pictures composed of up to 6 million dots.

2. Decide how you will use your digital camera. Decide if you will primarily use your pixel digitally for viewing on your computer or emailing to friends and family or if you will have prints made. If you want prints made, think about what size of prints you may want.

3. Get a cheap 3-megapixel or less digital camera for digital or web use. If you only need a digital camera to take pictures for websites, online auctions to share pictures via email, a 3-megapixel digital camera is sufficient and can save you a lot of money. These pictures will be low quality when enlarged or printed, so if you need large digital pictures for cropping or want to get prints made, you will need a higher resolution.

4. Look for a resolution of 4 to 6 megapixels if you need to get prints made or crop your images. A 4 to 6 megapixel camera is excellent for small 4 by 6-inch or 5 by 7-inch prints and may be sufficient for 8 by 10-inch prints. You can also produce decent quality images

5. Move up to a 7-megapixel or higher resolution if you will get large prints. For high-quality 8 by 10-inch prints or 11 by 14-inch prints you will need at least a 7-megapixel digital camera. For poster-size prints, a 8 to 10-megapixel digital camera is best.

6. Review the options of the digital camera to see if it will take pictures at different resolutions. Many cameras will take pictures not only at their highest resolution, but also at lower resolutions. This can be useful because smaller pictures have smaller file sizes.

7. Find some sample pictures from your prospective digital camera. Resolution is not the only indicator of the image quality of a digital camera. Decide what resolution you will need and then read some reviews and find some sample pictures of cameras with your preferred resolution.

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[Consultan]

on 5/1/2008 More megapixels does not ensure better quality for larger prints. Camera features and internal electronics are more important.

It's also worth noting that large prints are viewed at a greater distance. The NY times photography columnist conducted an experiment where he displayed 3 poster size prints (16 X 20) of the same subject using 3 different cameras (4 mp, 6 mp and 10 mp).

Fifty people were asked to choose which picture was of the highest quality. They were unable to discern any difference.