12 Megapixel P&S - Is It Too Much?
By Karl Peschel on May 29, 2007 in PointAndShoot, rant
Last week both Casio and Panasonic announced 12 MP (yes, 12!!) point and shoot cameras.The Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z1200 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100 both offer high resolution and Image Stabilization, though the Panasonic is fitted with a Leica DC lens. Both will be available in mid to late July for around the $400 mark.
How much is too much?? I can certainly see the benefit of 12MP or more in a DSLR, but P&S cameras have such small sensors. Packing 12 million receptors on a roughly 1/2 inch sensor seems ridiculous to me. Since most P&S users are making mostly 4×6 and 5×7 prints, a 5MP camera is more than enough.
When I was selling cameras at Ritz and Wolf I never jumped to the highest MP, most expensive camera. I talked to my customers, assessed their needs and found them the right mix of features and performance. Bigger isn’t always better.
We silly Americans are always searching for bigger, better, faster, longer, stronger products. And digital camera manufacturers are more than willing to feed your desires. I think you should buy based on Need and not Want! [end of rant]
Brian | May 31, 2007 | Reply
If you had to recommend a camera, what would it be? Suppose a person’s need was to develop pictures like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/richlegg/500276710/
For this picture ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/richlegg/498884057/ ). He used this : http://www.flickr.com/photos/richlegg/498884057/
Would any point and shoot camera out there produce this quality? Or does someone, like myself, have to invest in a professional camera?
Brian | May 31, 2007 | Reply
He used: Canon 30D, Canon 24-105 f/4L IS lens - 20 seconds, f/20, ISO 10***
Karl Peschel | Jun 4, 2007 | Reply
Picture quality is very subjective. A P&S will certainly shoot pictures like you have linked here.
For posting on a website or Flickr or any photo sharing site, pretty much any digital camera will do. Everything is sized down considerably. Bigger prints is where you see differences. My little 8MP Coolpix P4 makes beautiful 11×14 prints.
The cathedral shot could have been done with a P&S on a tripod provided it had exposure compensation or Manual exposure control. I feel it’s more about knowing the functions and limitations of your equipment than what you’re using.
The Canon 30D and the 24-105L would easily run a few thousand dollars. But if you don’t know how to use it, don’t understand proper exposure or apertures and shutter speeds, it’s just an expensive toy.
Read everything here, visit the TeachMeToShoot.com website and read more. Buy a camera that suits your needs and wallet. A professional camera DOES NOT make a professional photographer.
-=[ Karl ]=-
ww | Jun 5, 2007 | Reply
brian,
I could legitimately get similar results with my Vivitar / Vivicam 5100 that I picked up for $120.oo
Of course, it would take some post production editing…PhotoShop or ULead, or Picassa2 would be affordable options depending on your budget.
You would not have to invest in a professional or prosumer camera to get those shots…BUT…you would have to have access to photo software that allows you to set to black and white, (not all P&S models have this option), set image area exposure - or soft focus a particular area of the frame - (Picassa2 is a handy FREE option for this) And you will have to be well versed in your P&S manual.
From my estimation any P&S with a 5 meg or better resolution should be able to get similar results with the right post editing.
Personally, I shoot mostly with a Fujifilm S700 (7 megs). It costs around $250.oo and does an admirable job.
Hope this helps,
Best,
Wayne