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Remember: while you can always decrease resolution using editing software, you can 
never increase it. 

 

A rough rule of thumb is that the memory required per picture is one half of the 
megapixel rating of the camera. Thus a 4 megapixel camera will require 2 Mbytes of 
storage per picture. 
 
Professionals put the resolution required for parity with film at about 250-300 pixels per 
inch. Thus for an 8x10” print, a 6 megapixel camera would be required. 
 
This rule is somewhat subjective. Most find that 8x10s are satisfactorily produced with 4, 
3 or even 2 megapixel cameras, although most notice some degradation and tiling at 2 
megapixels and below.  
 
In the following example, I have reproduced several images on the page in resolutions 
that represent the resolution produced by cameras printing an 8x10” print in 6, 4, 2 and 1 
megapixel resolution.   

 
 

300 pixels per inch, same as a 6 megapixel camera printing 

an 8x10 

225 pixels per inch, same as a 4 megapixel camera 

printing an 8x10

 

160 pixels per inch, same as a 2 megapixel camera printing 

an 8x10

 

100 pixels per inch, same as a 1 megapixel camera 

printing an 8x10

 

 

Summary of Contents for Cameras I

Page 1: ...it your photos on the computer Crop remove red eye improve contrast and more Combine photos for interesting effects Add people or take them out Make your own greeting cards newsletters brochures busin...

Page 2: ...at can produce quality images When you hold a digital camera in your hand you hold a hundred times the processing power and memory of the flight computers on the Space Shuttle The digital camera allow...

Page 3: ...is then measured by an analog to digital converter that converts the voltage to a digital value that can be stored in memory The raw image derived from the CCD is too big to store The camera contains...

Page 4: ...flash Stop charging the CCD after the proper exposure is made After the shot Measure the charge on all the elements of the CCD all 4 million in a 4 megapixel camera Convert the voltage on each of the...

Page 5: ...el 3072 x 2000 8 megapixel 3264 x 2448 11 megapixel 4064 x 2704 The higher the number of pixels the greater the need for storage An image stored in a 4 megapixel camera takes twice the memory space as...

Page 6: ...rule is somewhat subjective Most find that 8x10s are satisfactorily produced with 4 3 or even 2 megapixel cameras although most notice some degradation and tiling at 2 megapixels and below In the foll...

Page 7: ...s Professional graphics Zoom Optical required Digital only is not acceptable An optical zoom uses the lens system in the camera to zoom in on the subject The subject is larger with no loss of resoluti...

Page 8: ...recessed LCDs to protect them from damage If you drop your camera and break the LCD screen you will be buying another camera the camera is ruined Your options are to buy a camera with a small LCD scr...

Page 9: ...d it easier to use a larger card such as a compact Flash CF Some cameras do not have memory cards They have internal memory only STAY AWAY from these cameras You need a computer to empty the camera th...

Page 10: ...Some cameras have metal cases and sliding covers that cover the lens that s tough Some have pop up flashes large lenses that don t retract and that s not tough Large cameras also require a neck strap...

Page 11: ...done it wiped the lens with a dry tissue If you don t do it very often the lens and its coating will last a very long time Digital camera flash Like most point and shoot cameras the flash of a digita...

Page 12: ...tware to organize your photos make galleries and slide shows This software usually provides the ability to crop and adjust color It is usually limited to only simple editing tasks Optional stitching s...

Page 13: ...haring Fix the red eye the contrast and crop the photo before you email it Another fun thing is to build story pictures or panoramas of places to which you travel Once and a while you can tackle a ver...

Page 14: ...13 The final result Photo restoration The following severely damaged file was restored using Photoshop Elements...

Page 15: ...fer it for high resolution editing and publishing GIF example filename gif The original file compression format promulgated in the early days of computer photos It is still used extensively on the web...

Page 16: ...50 The advantage to these batteries is that they are small and light The downside if you run out of power at a remote location you d better have a spare or your charger with you Standard rechargeable...

Page 17: ...tting Panorama stitch assist holds the exposure and lets the LCD assist you in putting together a panorama This is a lot of fun In addition to the above some higher end cameras offer these additional...

Page 18: ...s in them that you should not buy Can you spot them Hint Digital zoom without an optical zoom is not a good option It turns out that the Polaroid camera will take a memory card although one is not inc...

Page 19: ...and perform simple color corrections Print a contact sheet or thumbnail print of all photos on the card Print your selected enlargements Once you are finished a receipt is printed you pay and a few m...

Page 20: ...of others in your work You may be able to use a work if you use a small portion and have no effect on the commercial market or potential use of the work Here are some interesting issues with digital...

Page 21: ...LCD display No LCD Small LCD Medium LCD Large LCD 6 Size Small fit in pocket Medium midsize Large Neck strap 7 Construction Rugged with well protected lens recessed flash Medium good case but some exp...

Page 22: ...21...

Page 23: ...r Computer is a hardened derivative of the IBM 360 mainframe first introduced in 1964 480 000 operations per second Most use an advanced RISC processor 80 MHz with one operation per clock 80 000 000 o...

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