Apartment Therapy Unplugged | Why More Megapixels Does Not Equal Better Pictures

Why More Megapixels Does Not Equal Better Pictures

2008_02_22 12mp cam.jpg At last check, digital point and shoot cameras were up to 12 megapixels. This begs the question, can you have too many pixels? Is there a point where more pixels will actually degrade the picture quality?

The answer is yes. Because point and shoot cameras have a fixed size to play with and the fact that consumers tend to like smaller cameras, this keeps the image sensor size small. A higher megapixel camera basically means more pixels crammed into a small space.

The result? Light spills more easily between those 12 million pixels compared to a proper digital SLR with the same number of pixels. This causes noise, a decrease in contrast and sensitivity, and ultimately a picture that is worse than one captured with a bigger sensor.

If you are interested in more technical details 6 megapixel is a good resource.

-via AIRC

Comments (4)

This is so true and that's why instead of getting the highest MP camera, I went for the Fuji FinePix F31fd. A 6MP camera with fantastic results in high ISO. Unfortunately, FujiFilm couldn't steer away from the MP race and their next compact camera ratcheted up the MP which resulted more noise in the pictures under high ISO.

posted by Jabber on February 22nd 2008 at 11:09am
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This is sad but true. Its quite simple to observe the degraded optical performance and file sizes are as much as twice as large and yet this runaway train keeps goes faster every year.

6MP is even too much for the small sensors. Take a look at the ground-breaking Nikon D3. If one scales the sensor its at most 4MP.

posted by SeanG on February 23rd 2008 at 1:29am
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Yes, I've told that to a bunch of folks around the office in the past and they look at me like I am crazy and each time go out and buy a 12 megapixel camera for $250. People are so clueless even when you try to help them.

posted by joebelt on February 25th 2008 at 10:29am
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So if the image size is reduced in the camera could this problem be avoided?

So you still get the benefits of a new model? Newer models offer more feature than just more pixels.

Has anyone tested this?

posted by Chris M on February 26th 2008 at 12:19pm
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