Some time ago, the megapixel race started again, with suppliers rushing out pixels by the Millions.
Hoping, of course, to have us rushing out for the shop and buy such a nice topmodel.

At the same time, it’s funny to hear specialists warn for too many pixels… what’s going on?
Camera manufacturers use so called CCD sensors, like the Sharp 6 MP chip shown in the picture. Nowadays, you can buy them with no less then ten million (mega) pixels on a small surface. How much is that… check out these resolutions:

• most pictures on this blog: 0.15 megapixel
• your computer screen: 0.8 - 1.3
• required for a 4″ x 6″ print: 2 - 3
• for a big 16″ x 24″ print: 6

However, there are times I’m very, very lucky with every megapixel: especially when I can’t get close enough to the subject. On my computer, I simply cut the part I like out of the image.

So if you need to crop out images regularly, consider a large MP number. If you don’t, spend the money on a nicer, smaller, easier model. Or a big zoom, so you don’t have to crop your images so often!