Is More Than 20 Megapixels Really Necessary?
When it comes to deciding whether a camera with over 20 megapixels (MP) is necessary, several factors come into play. Whether you need a camera with higher resolution depends on your specific needs, the purpose of the images, camera technology, file size, storage capacity, and post-processing requirements.
Purpose of the Images
Professional Printing: For large prints like posters, billboards, or any high-resolution output, higher megapixels can provide better detail and clarity. This is crucial for maintaining image sharpness and detail in large formats.
Web Use: For images intended for websites or social media, 20 megapixels is often more than sufficient. These platforms typically don’t require the high resolution needed for professional printing, and higher resolution images can take up more storage space and processing power than necessary.
Archiving: If you want to retain images for future use or potential cropping, higher resolution can be beneficial. This ensures that no important details are lost, providing greater flexibility in editing and cropping.
Camera Technology
The quality of the lens and sensor is a significant factor. A well-designed 20 MP sensor can produce better images than a poorly designed 40 MP sensor. Camera technology has advanced, and many manufacturers focus on enhancing the quality of the sensor and lens rather than just increasing the number of megapixels.
File Size and Storage
Higher megapixel images take up more storage space and require more processing power. Consider your storage capacity and editing capabilities. For most casual photographers, a 20 MP camera is more than adequate. Professional photographers who frequently work with large prints might find that additional megapixels are beneficial.
Post-Processing Flexibility
If you plan to do extensive cropping or editing, more megapixels can provide greater flexibility without losing detail. This is particularly important for artists who need to retain the highest possible level of clarity even after extensive post-processing.
Historical Perspective
Back in the day, when I was a news reporter, a 6 MP SLR camera was sufficient to produce sharp newspaper page prints. Even now, my 12 MP camera serves me well, and I have never faced any complaints about the image quality. The key is finding the balance between sufficient resolution and practicality.
When it comes to my own purpose, which is making high-quality prints, I prefer a camera with a resolution of up to 20 MP. However, even a 3.2 MP camera from the last century with JPEG only capture can still meet most web and digital needs. My collection of cameras with various megapixel counts and sensor sizes from 1/1.7″ to full 35mm frame all produce prints up to A2 size, and it's impossible to tell whether the print is from a full 20 MP image or a crop from a much older compact camera.
Necessary FOR WHAT?
Nothing is necessary in isolation in an absolute sense. Certain artistic endeavors may require more than 20 MP, such as creating wall-sized panoramas that maintain incredible detail when viewed up close with a magnifying glass. On the other hand, for most images on the web, even a camera with 3.2 MP is more than sufficient.
Conclusion
For most casual photography and many professional applications, 20 megapixels is adequate. However, if you have specific high-resolution needs, such as large format printing or extensive cropping, more than 20 MP could be beneficial. Always consider your specific requirements and the purpose of the images before deciding on the megapixel count of your camera.