How many megapixels is required for each print size?

Commonly, when we are looking to buy a camera of any kind (even cellphones with camera), the first thing a buyer look for is a camera with a higher megapixels

First, what is pixel?  - it is a dot, a picture element. Every color in the photo is composed of these tiny dots that has different color.

Mega means million, so Megapixel means approximately 1 million pixels.

10 Megapixel means 10 million pixels, so it is quite tricky to say that a 12 Megapixel camera has better quality than a 10 Megapixel camera, simply because of the 2 million pixel difference.

Although higher megapixels is more advantageous, it is WRONG to say that
"a camera with higher megapixel is always better than  a camera with lower megapixel"

It is because, there are lot of tons of factor that makes an image good aside from the number of pixels it represents.

It is like, quantity vs. quality. There are some point that the pixels are too many, but the quality of image is too bad not because of megapixels itself but because of other factors such as ISO level, exposure, image sensor etc. - all of these were photography terms that for sure you don't want to get involved into unless you are interested in photography.

The lesson is, higher megapixels doesn't really mean higher quality all the time. It is not always you'll be needing it in your everyday use.

Then when a higher megapixels is needed?

Answer - Large prints or displays

If you intend to just post your pictures to facebook or just print it in a wallet size pictures, then higher megapixels is not a way to go.

But, if you intend to print that picture in a tarpaulin, banner or any large print formats,
It apply as well if you will gonna display it in a large projector
Then megapixel matters under those circumstances.

Below is a table of megapixels required for each print size that you intend to print your image into

Number of Megapixels	Acceptable Print Size (Inches)
2.0	4 x 6 [standard]
3.0	5 x 7
4.0	8 x 10
5.0	8 x 12
6.0	9 x 12
8.0	11 x 14
10.0	12 x 16
12.0	16 x 20
14.0	18 x 24

Reading the table is just as simple as reading the english alphabet.
for example:
If I have a 2.0 megapixel camera, then it is ok to print the picture in a  paper that is 4 inches wide and 6 inches height

If I have a 5 megapixel camera, I should not print that picture to a 16x20 size tarpaulin since the picture wont look nice

If I have a 14 pixel camera, I can print my pictures on virtually any size on that table above.

---

• ← Previous Post
• Next Post →