Pixel counts of Digital cameras
November 9, 2007
What is resolution?
The resolution of an image generally refers to the sharpness of visible objects that the image displays. In other words, it refers to how detailed the image is. Sharper, more detailed images have high resolution. To be capable of producing images of high resolution, a digital camera must have large number of pixels, the unit that measures details on an image. How come a digital camera can record and reproduce images of very high resolution? What are the pixels standards for digital cameras? How they can help the digital camera produce different picture qualities? This article provides you extensive study into this area.
How resolution affects the image quality?
First, let us know the factors that attribute to the image quality. Undoubtedly, the resolution must precede other things like colour quality, contrast etc. Low resolution pictures often lack clarity and sharpness making them unappealing to eyes. On the contrary, pictures with high resolution look clear, sharp and catching our eyes instantly. Most digital cameras come with very high resolution (millions of pixels) and high-end digital cameras can capture pictures at 12 million pixels rate.
Resolution of digital cameras
In a digital camera, the image sensor is the component that determines the resolution of the camera. The sensor or the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) records the image, processes it and changes it to digital information. This semiconductor device is made up tiny units called pixels with a colour filter over each pixel. Each pixel is made up of three numbers which denote three colours (RGB) and the combination produces complete colour.
Digital cameras come with resolution of mega pixels. As the old conventional camera has pixels below one mega pixels (1 mega = 1 million), the images are of low resolution and picture quality continuously degrades with so much grains over them, when you enlarge those images. In contrast, the latest digital cameras come with pixel counts ranging between 2 – 20 mega pixels. This is due to the constant enhancement of CCD chips that make up sensors of digital cameras with every new digital camera that hits the market.
Different pixel counts of digital cameras
Digital cameras for amateur use are available with pixel counts - 1.3 mega pixels, 2.1 pixels, 3.3 mega pixels and 4 mega pixels. Digital camera of 4 mega pixels is considered ideal for everyone – cost-wise as well as quality-wise. Currently, many compact digital cameras come with 8 mega pixels CCD sensors and are capable of producing excellent picture quality and help you to make enlarged prints with quality comparable to prints that you get from studios.
There are, however, cameras with higher pixel counts – 11.1 mega pixels, 16 mega pixels and 20 mega pixels. These cameras are largely used for adding professional quality to the pictures/videos. A 20 mega pixel digital camera can deliver the typical picture quality of a 35 mm movie.
Some facts about pixel counts
Pixel Count Up to 2 Mega pixels
Suitable for thumbnails, online photo sharing, for use in websites. Low resolution cameras produce inferior picture quality.
Pixel Count Up to 2 Mega pixels 3 or 4 Mega pixels
Amateur use. Improved picture quality. Up to 6 x 7 size prints are fine.
Pixel Count Up to above 5 Mega pixels and up to 8 Mega Pixels
Suitable for larger print outs, enlargements. Superb over-all image quality. Expensive.
Pixel count above 8 Mega pixels. 16 or 20 Mega pixels
Suitable for professional photographers. Image quality comparable with motion picture. Very expensive.
Although higher pixel count produces better picture quality, the quality may degrade when the digital camera supports too many pixels that its lens could not handle. This results in so called noisy pictures which show poor shadow details. Overall image quality is also not up to mark as the pixel size becomes tinier and tinier which leads to holding less charged particle.
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