Camera buffs step inside

[Guns4Fun]

Okay you camera buffs, I bought a new camera. My 6 year old camera finally bit the dust this past summer (while on vacation - of course) - it was a 3.1 mega pixel.

So, my new camera is 12 mega pixel with a 5x optical zoom - whatever all that crap means. I know it has something to do with picture quality.

This new camera isn’t anything fancy, it was just a Best Buy $150 Kodak with a 3” lcd, model M381.

Anyhow, my camera ‘s memory card used to be able to store 185 pictures - but now with the 12 mega pixels it will only hold 65. So, do i need to have the camera set on 12 if i only intend to print 5x7 photos? And maybe an 8x10 every once in a while.

My choices to select are
11.8mp (4:3)
10.5mp (3:2)
8.8mp (4:3)
6.2mp (4:3)
3.1mp (4:3)

What setting would be best for both picture storage as well as picture quality for 5x7 prints. I can always switch it over before i take a photo if i want an 8x10 print.

Suggestions / advice?

[fingers80002]

paging Pa. Patriot!!!!!

paging PisnNapalm!!!!!

paging -JD-!!!!!!!!!!

[Curmudgeon]

I wouldn't set it for anything above the 6.2mp mark, esp for 5x7s. In a $150 camera, your 12mp sensor is probably out resolving your lens. One of the things you gain with a 12mp sensor is the ability to crop like crazy and still have enough resolution for a fantastic image.

My DSLR has a 6.1mp sensor, nad you should see the reolution I can get at just 700k.



...of course, I'm not using a $150 lens, either.

[fingers80002]

Damn, I keep forgetting Curmudgeon is a photog-nut, also...

Sorry......

[Curmudgeon]

Damn, I keep forgetting Curmudgeon is a photog-nut, also...

Sorry......

[fingers80002]

Hey, don't hate on the artistically and musically challenged........

[Guns4Fun]

I wouldn't set it for anything above the 6.2mp mark, esp for 5x7s. In a $150 camera, your 12mp sensor is probably out resolving your lens. One of the things you gain with a 12mp sensor is the ability to crop like crazy and still have enough resolution for a fantastic image.

My DSLR has a 6.1mp sensor, nad you should see the reolution I can get at just 700k.



...of course, I'm not using a $150 lens, either.

Thank you - i think? Not sure what the roll eyes means? I'm not a big photo guy and my $150 camera should work good for my needs. Hell, my cheap 6 year old 3.1 served me well.

I had changed the setting to 6.2 because i figured i was happy with 3.1 and 6.2 is double what i had. i was just looking for reasurance .

Thanks again.

[fingers80002]

Thank you - i think? Not sure what the roll eyes means? I'm not a big photo guy and my $150 camera should work good for my needs. Hell, my cheap 6 year old 3.1 served me well.

I had changed the setting to 6.2 because i figured i was happy with 3.1 and 6.2 is double what i had. i was just looking for reasurance .

Thanks again.

That is what is logical, twice as much is always better!!!!

[martin9428]

The lower the megapixels the more pictures you can fit on your memory card. The higher the megapixels the less you can put on your card. I have a cheap $300 X-Slim which is 10 megapixels or maybe more The only time I set it to a higher resolution is when I want to print 8x10 or poster size. In my opinion 6 or less will be fine. I also find that the picture will get real grainy with the higher megapixels, not sure why.

[PisnNapalm]

If I were you I'd buy a higher capacity memory card and keep the camera set at 12 Mp. As Curmudgeon said, you can take that huge image and crop out an unwanted area and make it an even better picture wihtout losing much resolution.

I have an 8Gb memory card in my camera.

Check out this website and compare to your local stores. I've purchased from them in the past. http://www.flash-memory-store.com/