Hobbies And Interests
Overview
According to camera retailer Crutchfield, eight megapixel cameras are able to shoot images with a digital resolution of 3,264 by 2,448 pixels, which is equivalent to a 16-by-20-inch image. By way of contrast, a five megapixel camera is able to capture high-quality shots in the pixel ranges between 2,048 by 1,536 and nearly as high as 3,072 by 2,048. In printed photos, this means a five megapixel camera is capable of shooting 4-by-6 and 5-by-7 photos.
Digital Cameras
When digital cameras first hit the North American market, their typical pixel count was around one megapixel. As the camera's technology advanced, camera megapixel counts began to increase. As of 2011, it's easy to routinely find a camera featuring 12 megapixels; in digital single lens reflex models, 18 megapixels is common. As of the time of publication, five megapixel and eight megapixel cameras make up a small percentage of any camera store's stock, but are often inexpensive.
Considerations
While it's easy to get sold into buying a camera with a high number of megapixels, it's important to think about your intended use of the camera. While a camera used to shoot poster-size and quality prints must have a high megapixel rating, a camera primarily used to take snapshots for 4-by-6-inch prints or photos online does not need a megapixel rating of more than five.
Other Factors
Amateur photographers should not fall for the myth that a camera's megapixel rating is its chief determining factor. While megapixels are important, so too are the camera's zoom, lens and sensor. Also important is the skill with which the user handles the camera. While an eight megapixel camera may be more impressive than a five megapixel camera in theory, a five megapixel camera in the hands of a skilled photographer will yield better shots than an eight megapixel camera used by an amateur.