Megapixel Image Comparison

Secrets of Digital Photography

Size Matters

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How Big is What?

Everybody wants to be a millionaire. Now we all are. Millions of pixels make up our digital images, but what does that mean in graphic terms?

Loads of folks want to know how much MORE they get for their next million. Ask Bill Gates. I'm sure his first million was cheered over, but his latest ten million was hardly noticed.

Here are some graphics that will help. The images are actually FULL SIZE but show up on this page as 20% scale. Open them on a new page, and you will find out some things about the limitations of the Internet. The whole image will NOT show in some browsers! Browsers may not hold the full frame in all its glory, but you can download them and open them in Photoshop to see just how they look in the flesh, so to speak.

Here is the most frequently asked question: Isn't 5 megapixels much more than 4 megapixels?

You tell me:

That's not a frame, it's the 5 megapixel image behind a gray 4 megapixel image.

So how do the other small digital camera image formats stack up? Here's most of them:

Clearly, two megapixels is the smallest at 1,920,000 actual pixels, and the 3.14 megapixel image at 3,145,728 actual pixels is much larger. But up from that, the four megapixel image at 3,871,488 actual pixels is just a smidgen larger. And the 5 megapixel image with its actual 4,915,200 pixels isn't a major upward shift.

Some new cameras that call themselves "5 megapixels" are using a newer, smaller 5-megapixel chip. Their 2592 x 1944 pixel images deliver 5,038,848 pixels to the page. The gold border shows how little extra that is compared to the inner 2560 x 1920 pixel alternative.

Just a hair larger. But the smaller chip has advantages of size. See the CP5400 Review for more comparisons.

Get the eBook(s). Nikon and Sony versions available now. We have a secure order page that will allow previous Nikon eBook owners to upgrade for low cost, too.
Or you can call direct and order from the publisher by phone or FAX.
Phone:(310) 475 2988 (M-F 9-5 Pacific Time)
FAX (310) 475 9486 (24hrs).

© 2003 Peter iNova. All rights reserved. Do not reprint. Simply add a link to this page.
Reprinting except for newsworthy mention and brief quotes are by permission only.

*How Big is What?* *Everybody wants to be a millionaire. Now we all are. Millions of pixels make up our digital images, but what does that mean in graphic terms?* Loads of folks want to know how much MORE they get for their next million. Ask Bill Gates. I'm sure his first million was cheered over, but his latest ten million was hardly noticed. Here are some graphics that will help. The images are actually FULL SIZE but show up on this page as 20% scale. Open them on a new page, and you will find out some things about the limitations of the Internet. The whole image will NOT show in some browsers! Browsers may not hold the full frame in all its glory, but you can download them and open them in Photoshop to see just how they look in the flesh, so to speak. *Here is the most frequently asked question: Isn't 5 megapixels much more than 4 megapixels?* *You tell me:* *That's not a frame, it's the 5 megapixel image behind a gray 4 megapixel image.* *So how do the other small digital camera image formats stack up? Here's most of them:* Clearly, two megapixels is the smallest at 1,920,000 actual pixels, and the 3.14 megapixel image at 3,145,728 actual pixels is much larger. But up from that, the four megapixel image at 3,871,488 actual pixels is just a smidgen larger. And the 5 megapixel image with its actual 4,915,200 pixels isn't a major upward shift. Some new cameras that call themselves "5 megapixels" are using a newer, smaller 5-megapixel chip. Their 2592 x 1944 pixel images deliver 5,038,848 pixels to the page. The gold border shows how little extra that is compared to the inner 2560 x 1920 pixel alternative. *Just a hair larger. But the smaller chip has advantages of size. See the CP5400 Review for more comparisons.* *Get the eBook(s). Nikon and Sony versions available now. We have a secure order page that will allow previous Nikon eBook owners to upgrade for low cost, too. Or you can call direct and order from the publisher by phone or FAX. Phone:(310) 475 2988 (M-F 9-5 Pacific Time) FAX (310) 475 9486 (24hrs). © 2003 Peter iNova. All rights reserved. Do not reprint. Simply add a link to this page.* Reprinting except for newsworthy mention and brief quotes are by permission only.