Noticeable difference between 4 megapixels and 5 or 6?

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.dcameras (More info?)

"t. wise" <terwise111@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:FdidnVQ4uaLr6frcRVn-rQ@adelphia.com...
> I have an Olympus D40, which is a 4 megapixel camera, and am thinking of
> getting something newer (and smaller). I'm looking at the Canon S500
(5mp),
> the Nikon Coolpix 5200 (5 mp), the Olympus C60 (6mp), and the Minolta G600
> (6mp).
>
> They all seem pretty good, but what I'm wondering is will I notice a
> significant difference in quality between the 4mp I currently have, and 5
or
> 6. I don't print larger than 8 1/2 x 11, but I do like to have as good an
> image as possible.
>
> Is it worth upgrading, or should I wait for the pocket-size cameras to get
> 7mp or higher?
>
>
I would say that it depends on your budget.

For an excellent or best print you need to print at 300 DPI or better.
8.5 inches times 300 Dpi = 2550 Pixels
11 inches times 300 Dpi = 3300 Pixels
which is 2550 times 3300 = 8,415,000 Pixels.
The more pixels you have available, the better your print.

Your 4 Megapixel D40 camera makes the max resolution of 2288 X 1712 pixels.
1712 / 8.5 = 201 DPI
2288 / 11 = 208 DPI

You are making a 200 DPI print for 8.5 X11 now.

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CSM1
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