Pro question: Megapixels - does it matter?

[RandyQ]

Folks,
Here is that age old question again, but this time for working professionals: Does the megapixels matter in this age of most DSLRS being 10-12MP?

I would like to hear what the PROS think, particularly those folks who shoot posters and magazines.

AND if you shoot posters, does a Canon 5DMK2 (at 21MP) really make a difference? Is this really mandatory for poster shooting?

If it is, then why are so many pros happy with the Nikon D3s and D700s?

Or is Olympus correct in stating that beyond 12MP, there is really no benefit?

rgds / RandyQ

[1]

Sounds like another can of worms being opened. Let's nip it at the bud. Cheers

[macdrive007]

^AFAIK, RandyQ is one of the PROs and his concern is valid.

With new advancements in camera technology and evolving standards confronting us, real life experiences from those using current high end DSLRs can help those using previous high end DSLRs - if these new CANONs & NIKONs are worth the upgrade and provide new real-world photography opportunities & advantages. (probably like tarpaulin posters the size of a 5 floor building)

Ken Rockwell's recommendations are regularly evolving and the link above is so 2008.

[hungryalien]

We used to shoot with 6mp cameras and i've heard billboard made with 3mp cams before.

So in a simple answer, 10mp is enough. But most of you already know that not all megapixels are created equal. So it doesnt mean that a nokia phone's 5-6mp cam can produce same equality output as some dslr's 6mp..

Aside from having big sensors, pro bodies like d3s also have better built quality, faster focus, more rugged features and weather-proof.. That can be used daily without fail..

Of course 21mp do have its advantages.. Like the ability to crop in tighter etc. But it really depends on how you use your files and requirement.

[soloworx]

True, the megapixels in the Leaf or Aptus digital backs of medium-format cameras have an infinitely better quality than those of P&S cameras.

It's like saying, "My car seat is genuine leather." Leather sure, but from what animal?

[mmanson]

i guess if you crop pictures a lot then i think MP does matter. but other than that thought eh, nah.

[teamjm]

For me, its not. unless UNLESS you're into advertisement big billboards then it would matter, a factor for you but not really a must. for me, normal consumer. It does not. 10mp is enough or even 8mp is already enough.

[splukutum]

if you have a habit of cropping your images, higher MP is very useful since it gives you a lot of headroom.

[i.am.aids]

This LH article seem to have answered the question. It all depends on the DPI you want your image printed.

As you might suspect, the calculation also goes in the other direction. If you want to print full page photos, which come out to 8.5" x 11", you can multiply those numbers by the DPI number you're aiming for. In the case of 8.5" x 11" (300 DPI), you'd need a photo that's 2,550 x 3,300 pixels, or about 8.4 megapixels.

http://lifehacker.com/#!5767605/how-...a-certain-size

[briareos]

Huge billboards as those found along EDSA don't need high megapixel images. They may be huge but they are viewed from much farther than an 8.5x11. You can do a 1" : 1' ratio. So 1" at 300dpi would be enlarged to 1' at 25dpi.