Megapixels have been an exciting feature of digital cameras for many years. However, the technology is changing. Does more megapixels mean a better image?
The answer depends on what you want to achieve. For most photographers, the answer is ‘yes’. The higher the megapixel count, the sharper and clearer your images will be. There are three reasons why high megapixel count cameras are particularly useful for photographers.
Image quality.
You get the most detail for your money. A camera with high resolution will show fine details such as skin tones and foliage that a low-resolution camera will not. You will get a better picture, overall.
Light sensitivity.
This is another area where higher megapixel count cameras can be useful. A low-resolution camera may be capable of taking photographs under extremely bright conditions, but will not be able to capture the details in the lightest parts of the image. High-resolution cameras can take images under extreme lighting conditions. This will help you in a range of situations, including night photography and sports photography.
Flexibility.
If you want to use your camera for many different kinds of photography, then having a camera with a high megapixel count will give you flexibility in taking photographs. For example, if you want to take a quick snapshot while you are on holiday, you may want to use a lower resolution camera. However, if you plan to take many shots of a particular subject, then having a high megapixel count will allow you to shoot at a higher resolution and get the best quality images.
There are times when a lower resolution camera will give you a better photograph. Take a look at your camera manual to find out the difference in quality between a 20 megapixel and a 24 megapixel camera. If you have a choice, choose the camera that gives you the best image quality.
If you are happy to accept that you can’t have a perfect camera, then you should buy a camera with the highest megapixel count you can afford.