What size camera

[nigeunders]

Hi all

Hopfully a simple question but what is the minimum size camera needed (megapixel) if I wanted to enlarge a photo to 10x8 to a desent quality?

Thanks in advance

Nigel

 

[EdBray]

Not really that simple I'm afraid.

There is more to the quality of an image than the number of megapixels.

Sensor size, lens, ISO, lighting will all have a bearing on the final image.

A camera phone may have a very small 6 megapixel sensor and with a poor lens may well not be as good as say a 3 megapixel SLR with a decent lens. It will also depend on the light qualities at the time the image was taken, as an image taken on a 10 or 12 megapixel camera under poor lighting conditions and high ISO may well be considerably worse than an image taken on a 3 MP camera under good lighting at ISO 100.

 

[Chris Reed]

if your not blowing up the image larger then 8x10 and all other things are equal (i know they never are) you will not notice a difference of a few MP either way. if your looking at a 12 and a 10 mp camera that both handle low light well, and take good lenses then buy the 12mp if you can afford it, but its not worth braking the bank over.

 

[Rhodese]

For the best possible 300ppi, for expectable in most cases 240ppi, for viewing at a distance i.e. on a wall not less than 150ppi.
It follows then that for the best possible print at 10 x 8 you would need a resolution of 3000 x 2400 pixels, or approximately 8mp.