What DETERMINES the QUALITY of a CAMERA’s PICTURES?
December 3rd, 2011 | by admin |so i just found out the megapixels just mean how big you can make a clear picture. what i want to know is, what do i look for to determine the quality of a camera’s picture? like what spec. should i look for to compare/know the camera’s picture quality? you know the pictures that are crisp clear and of better quality than others. so what word/number determines that? i know there are other features like image stabilization and motion detection, etc. that help quality.
and if you know about these can you tell me what they affect when adjusted;
ISO speed
Shutter speed
aperture value
lens (bigger-smaller)
focal length
exposure compensation
and can you tell the quality of a camera’s image based on the quality of the camera’s video. like if the camera has 720p vids or 1080p vids will the picture quality be somewhat close to that sort of quality scale?
where do i see the resolution specs? i mean i don’t usually see the resolution specs listed anywhere when i look up cameras. sorry i don’t know anything about cameras. by the way i am in the category of using intermediate to advanced digital camera types (point and shoot type). not into the dSLR/SLR camera types. more of around $400 price range cameras.
anyone have a link i can learn how cameras work
oh i just seen that resolution is megapixels. i only print 4×6s so high megapixels is not needed for me. i am only looking for point and shoot cameras (ones that don’t change lens). sorry for the confusion.
thank you so much Jens for the help. best help received yet from yahoo answers.
one thing. i am just an average point and shoot camera guy. i have a few 12mp cameras, a olympus, sony and nikon. i was wondering why my pictures still come out not so good. what you said about too little light on high mp cams made a llot of sense i didn’t know. i only print 4×6s so what mp camera is more appropriate? you have any more recommendations on great point and shoot cameras under $250?
keerok i am only looking into point and shoot cameras that take great quality pictures under $250. i am not a photographer, just an average user. so i am not expecting high professional photos, just the best i can get in my range. is that so hard to ask for? i understand that the camera is just a tool. maybe you could kindly offer some knowledge/link so i can learn how to properly use a camera. but like you said no camera is made the same. thanks for the suggestions and answer btw
the camera is a tool, i know. so any Helpful information like a guide/tutorial that shows one how to use a camera properly?
will a 1/1.7" image sensor at ISO 12,800 produce a noisy pic?
what about a 1/2.3" image sensor at ISO 3,200?
just say they both are at f/2.6 with whatever speed. picture examples would be nice.
thank you all again. and thank you Jens for checking back. appreciate the help very much. thank you.
Megapixels merely determine the image size. A full HD tv or computer screen can only display 2MP (yes, two MP), anything more is wasted on it. 6MP are sufficient for poster sized prints, and 10MP are good enough for nearly anything.
More MP than that can actually be detrimental to image quality, especially in point and shoot cameras. The reason is that the more MP a sensor has, the smaller the individual pixels on it are. The smaller the pixels are, the less light each of them catches. The less light a pixel catches, the less accurate will its measurement of that light be. That’s bad for image quality. This is why cameras with lots of MP usually perform especially bad in low light situations, where each pixel has to work with particularly little light.
The current best camera for professional sports photographers, the $5300 Nikon D3s, has 12MP by the way. If they can do with 12MP, what does Joe Average need more for?
In case of vide 720p and 1080p only determines the resolution. If the video actually will be that sharp or blurry is an entirely different question. The resolution of the photo or video merely catches wthe image that is projected onto the sensor by the lens. A bad lens will project a bad, blurry image, and then increasing the resolution of the sensor won’t help at improving that anymore at all. All you will get is a bigger blurry image then instead of a smaller one.
There aren’t really any numbers that directly tell you how good a lens will be, but some can give you a good idea about it.
First off, bigger zoom ranges usually are detrimental to image quality. That’s because good quality lenses with big zoom ranges are more difficult to make. So at equal price, the lens with the smaller zoom range most often offers superior image quality. On DSLRs, many people use prime lenses, which don’t even zoom at all, for uncompromising image quality.
The second indicator is the aperture size. That’s the f-number behind the focal length number of a lens. E.g. 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Here small numbers indicate good quality. f/3.5-5.6 is a rather poor value. High quality DSLR zooms have f/2.8, prime lenses can even get f/1.8 or f/1.4
Among point and shoot cameras the values can differ. The high quality Canon S95 has f/2-4.9, which is a very good value for a point and shoot.
Basically these numbers say how wide the aperture can open (lower number means wider opening), and that determines how much light the camera can let in. This is crucial especially for low light performance, and also has a big effect on the ability to blur the background. Just google "aperture tutorial" for detailed information.
Edit:
Follow AWBoater’s recommendation, $280 for a P7000 is an awesome deal:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Coolpix-P7000-Digital-Zoom-Nikkor/dp/B00427ZLRO
Myself, i use a S95 when i don’t bring my DSLR:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-S95-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B003ZSHNGS/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322578527&sr=1-2
It has a slightly better lens than the P7000 (f/2-4.9 vs f/2.8-5.6), but a smaller zoom range (3.8x vs 7x). I don’t mind the zoom range, but you might find it to be limiting. The main reason why i chose the S95 over a P7000 or Canon G12 (its direct competitor) is that i was looking for a really, really compact camera, as opposed to by big DSLR. A "big compact" such as the P7000 hence wasn’t what i was looking for, but other than that those are fine cameras.
Here is a sample shot that i took with my S95. Admittedly i post-processed it in Lightroom, but the P7000 should be capable of similar shots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jens_wurm/5627655965/in/photostream
9 Responses to “What DETERMINES the QUALITY of a CAMERA’s PICTURES?”
By DeezyDo on Dec 4, 2011 | Reply
the resolution of the camera, best option is cannon, next would be sony. good luck
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Dancer who works with cameras
By Michelle M. on Dec 4, 2011 | Reply
Usually the number of pixels and the overall clarity of a photo. (Not blurry or unfocused)
References :
By Willy Heckaslike on Dec 4, 2011 | Reply
All of the above have a bearing on quality but most of all is the manufacturer. If you choose to emulate the PROFESSIONAL Photographers then it’s a two horse race. Nikon or Canon all the rest aren’t in the picture (forgive the pun). Both Canon & Nikon have a vast range of both lenses and accessories that will cover most if not all aspects of photography. One golden rule to have in mind when buying lenses for instance is to keep with OEM lenses which are made by the camera manufacturer and will work without any problems. Cheap glass usually means degraded images. The other thing to bear in mind is that if the kit develops a fault you will usually come up against the usual reply "Well the lens isn’t our manufacture or that camera isn’t made by us must be the problem with the camera/lens.
Try reading some informed books on the subject perhaps from your local library.
References :
By Jens on Dec 4, 2011 | Reply
Megapixels merely determine the image size. A full HD tv or computer screen can only display 2MP (yes, two MP), anything more is wasted on it. 6MP are sufficient for poster sized prints, and 10MP are good enough for nearly anything.
More MP than that can actually be detrimental to image quality, especially in point and shoot cameras. The reason is that the more MP a sensor has, the smaller the individual pixels on it are. The smaller the pixels are, the less light each of them catches. The less light a pixel catches, the less accurate will its measurement of that light be. That’s bad for image quality. This is why cameras with lots of MP usually perform especially bad in low light situations, where each pixel has to work with particularly little light.
The current best camera for professional sports photographers, the $5300 Nikon D3s, has 12MP by the way. If they can do with 12MP, what does Joe Average need more for?
In case of vide 720p and 1080p only determines the resolution. If the video actually will be that sharp or blurry is an entirely different question. The resolution of the photo or video merely catches wthe image that is projected onto the sensor by the lens. A bad lens will project a bad, blurry image, and then increasing the resolution of the sensor won’t help at improving that anymore at all. All you will get is a bigger blurry image then instead of a smaller one.
There aren’t really any numbers that directly tell you how good a lens will be, but some can give you a good idea about it.
First off, bigger zoom ranges usually are detrimental to image quality. That’s because good quality lenses with big zoom ranges are more difficult to make. So at equal price, the lens with the smaller zoom range most often offers superior image quality. On DSLRs, many people use prime lenses, which don’t even zoom at all, for uncompromising image quality.
The second indicator is the aperture size. That’s the f-number behind the focal length number of a lens. E.g. 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Here small numbers indicate good quality. f/3.5-5.6 is a rather poor value. High quality DSLR zooms have f/2.8, prime lenses can even get f/1.8 or f/1.4
Among point and shoot cameras the values can differ. The high quality Canon S95 has f/2-4.9, which is a very good value for a point and shoot.
Basically these numbers say how wide the aperture can open (lower number means wider opening), and that determines how much light the camera can let in. This is crucial especially for low light performance, and also has a big effect on the ability to blur the background. Just google "aperture tutorial" for detailed information.
Edit:
Follow AWBoater’s recommendation, $280 for a P7000 is an awesome deal:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Coolpix-P7000-Digital-Zoom-Nikkor/dp/B00427ZLRO
Myself, i use a S95 when i don’t bring my DSLR:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-S95-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B003ZSHNGS/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322578527&sr=1-2
It has a slightly better lens than the P7000 (f/2-4.9 vs f/2.8-5.6), but a smaller zoom range (3.8x vs 7x). I don’t mind the zoom range, but you might find it to be limiting. The main reason why i chose the S95 over a P7000 or Canon G12 (its direct competitor) is that i was looking for a really, really compact camera, as opposed to by big DSLR. A "big compact" such as the P7000 hence wasn’t what i was looking for, but other than that those are fine cameras.
Here is a sample shot that i took with my S95. Admittedly i post-processed it in Lightroom, but the P7000 should be capable of similar shots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jens_wurm/5627655965/in/photostream
References :
By Jason on Dec 4, 2011 | Reply
There are 3 elements you should pay attention when choosing digital cameras.
1,Pixels
A pixel is a contraction if the term PIcture ELement. Digital images are made up of small squares, just like a tile mosaic on your kitchen or bathroom wall. Though a digital photograph looks smooth and continuous just like a regular photograph, it’s actually composed of millions of tiny squares as shown below.
2,Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio of a camera is the ratio of the length of the sides of the images. For example, a traditional 35mm film frame is approximately 36mm wide and 24mm HIGH. This has an aspect ratio of 36:24, which can equally well be expressed as 3:2. Some digicams use the same aspect ratio for their digital images. For example most digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras have a 3:2 aspect ratio. However, video monitors typically use a 4:3 aspect ratio. For example a monitor with a 800×600 display has a 4:3 aspect ratio. With this in mind, most consumer level digicams use a 4:3 aspect ratio for their images.
3,Sensor Size
The size of the digital sensor element (which is equivalent to the size of the negative for film cameras) is pretty small in all consumer digicams – typically around the size of a fingernail (and a small fingernail at that!). As I said above, a 35mm film frame is 24mm high by 36mm wide but most digital cameras use sensors very much smaller than this. Here are some typical digicam sensor sizes. The "name" of the sensor is based on specification for old TV tubes used in the 1950s. Nobody is quite sure why it’s being used for modern digital sensors since the "sizes" don’t really relate in any consistent way to the actual physical size of the sensor. However these names are widely used, so it’s best to know what they are. They are often listed in digital camera spec sheets.
After choosing your favorate digital camera, you should carefully find a reliable store to get it. You can search online, at Google shopping channel for example, and find the biggest manufacturer. I searched online and found a nice site for you, you can find many cheap but good quality digital cameras at http://www.globalmarket.com/hot-products/digital+camera.html
Hope this can help you. Good luck.
References :
http://photo.net/equipment/digital/basics/
By keerok on Dec 4, 2011 | Reply
If you know the basics of photography, you get a dSLR with all the controls it offers. If not, you make a gamble. There is no spec to look at to select your ideal camera.
If you are able to find a point-and-shoot camera that takes a picture the way you want it, hold on to it as long as you can. You are one of a select few who have found a camera compatible to your eyes and brain. It’s actually the computer programming that makes the difference. Not all cameras are made equal, even within the same brand.
The easiest to get along with by far to get decent pictures most of the time are the Canon Powershot and the Sony Cybershot cameras. Since it’s a huge gamble, just set your criteria to size and color. Those are the next most important things you have to consider anyway. Is it enough to fit in your purse? Will you look good holding it up beside your face?
.
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Someone who has given up explaining that picture quality depends on the photographer. The camera is nothing but a tool.
By rdenig_male on Dec 4, 2011 | Reply
None of these. The quality of pictures is determined the the ability of the photographer, whatever the camera – which is only a tool. Put the most expensive Nikon or Canon in the hands of an idiot and you will get idiot photographs.
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By John P on Dec 4, 2011 | Reply
Not simply mrgapixels – above about 8MPs the extras are just a marketing tool except for really top level pro cameras at many thousands of dollars/pounds. The physical size of the sensor is important, which is why DSLRs and Compact System Cameras have much bigger sensors than point-and-shoot digicams – consequently the DSLRs and CSCs ar bigger and clunkier but give better pictures. At $250 you are looking at a point-and-shoot or a second hand DSLR of older design.
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By AWBoater on Dec 4, 2011 | Reply
If you are looking at a camera in the $250 range, the Nikon P7000 that is currently on sale at Amazon for $279 is the best camera you will ever find in that price range – and arguably one of the best compact cameras you can buy. For the current price, it is a bargain.
It has an original MSRP of $499, and since is just has been replaced by the P7100 (with not much difference in the two), they are beginning to be highly discounted.
Given the P7000 has only been out for a year, it is not exactly an old camera.
It has a f/2.8 lens, vibration reduction, manual exposure controls, a 40% larger sensor than most compacts (1/1.7"), and all sorts of advanced features that are normally found on DSLRs; hot shoe, IR remote capability, manual focus, custom color balance settings, RAW file capability, exposure, white balance, and focus bracketing, built-in ND filter…the list just goes on.
The camera is marketed for DSLR users when they don’t have their DSLR with them. Whether this will continue to be Nikon’s strategy now that the Nikon 1 is available is yet to be seen. But at this point, it is one of the best compact cameras you can buy, and at the $279 sale price, it is quite something.
I wouldn’t expect the $279 Amazon sale price to last long.
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