megapixels???

[leeharrison2]

I keep been told that the Mp of you camera doesn't effect the sharpness or quality of you picture, all it does is allow for more cropping and large prints but surely if I take a picture with my D40(6Mp) and then take the exact same picture with the new D7000 (16.2Mp) and view both picture at the same size, the one with more Mp will have better quality and detail due to more Mp in the same sized area???

Or am I think of this in the wrong way???

Thanks Lee Harrison

 

[TCR4x4]

To an extent the D7000 will give a better image, but more MP isnt everything.
This is mainly more aimed towards compacts where marketing forces bigger MP down our throats and in reality because of the smaller sized sensors, more MP being crammed in decreases quality.
The marketing bods needed something to latch onto in order to make their camers more apealing to an everday user. So they chose something that to most people "looks" better. Bigger number, must be better right?

In DSLR's its the same to a degree, but due to the much bigger sensors, you can get away with more MP before it starts to affect image quality.

 

[Charlatan]

Tom has answered that more or less, the sensor quality is far more important that the megapixel number. I'll add, unless you are going for large scale prints the D40 will do just fine. I have had upscalled images to A2 and even A1 that have looked good enough from a gallery viewing distance using a D40. A0 is a bit of a stretch too far for close viewing.

Comparing the D40 and D7000 and only testing MP is a bit of a false test as the sensor, software.... all have more of an impact that the MP count. It is 2 generations old now and they are not like for like comparisons (D3100 would be) but still a very capable bit of kit.

 

[Asha]

As already stated the number of pixels is not a primary factor in obtaining a quality picture.
I have some fantastic shots from my D50 printed to A3+ format without problem.
By contrast I have had some inferieur shots taken with my D80.......;very little to do with the quantity of pixels, more to do with other factors such as light, aperture/shutter settings etc etc.....There are simply many areas in photography that contribute to a "quality" photo.
A "quality" photo being what you are happy with.....we all have our own opinions on the work of others but it is most important that you are content with your work!

The following is a little off topic so please forgive me for mentioning the recent incident I had in a local camera retailer where having overheard a "camera expert" explain to a prospective purchaser that the higher pixelled camera (and of course higher priced!!) camera would offer "better" photos, I was unable to refrain from speaking out.
Although the customer was gratefull of my input, the retailer was not and I was requested to leave the store....they were even kind enough to escort me to that door!

With this in mind, you have probably come to the best place for advice from "true" photographers and camera "experts".
My advice to you is to do what you are doing and obtain information and do your homework prior to making purchases so as to try avoid what many of us will have done (myself included!).....buy on impulse/ignorance and regretted afterwards.

 

[leeharrison2]

Thank yo for all of you'r input, it's much of what I though, my D40 is the first DSLR that I every bought it's 6Mp and I have got some pictures that I am very happy with, I just wanted to confirm what others were say or wondering whether I was getting confused,

Thanks Lee
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