larger sensor for zooming

David_Aston

Hello there
Does any camera buff know if the purchase of a camera with a 15 mp sensor, to replace a 6mp camera might actually provide better zooming ability? Despite lurking around the camera forums, I can't get my head round this. Specifically, using a prime lens on this larger sensor camera, would it mean that cropping pictures, as a means of zooming, should be much clearer than with the smaller sensor? (I mention this because "experts" seem to be saying that cameras are starting to outperform lens these days, unless one sticks to prime lens, or mega expensive zoom lens.
Sorry if I have made this extremely complicated!

unrich

If you have a great zoom lens on a 6M pixel camera it probably will produce better results printing up to A4.

The 15M pixels will be smaller, collect less light, create more noise, show up chromatic abberation and reveal more minor defects in the lens.

have a look here APO lenses.
6 megapixel sensor info

APO lenses are really expensive.
Zooming lenses are gernerally worse than fixed focal length lenses.
A prime lens with a big aperture isn't always better than a small aperture lens. It just happens to have a wide aperture and a big piece of glass at the front.
Small apertures like F22 give sharper results and you use only the most accurate areas of the lens for big depth of field.
Bokeh (here) youy get from big primes.

If all you do is print A4, if you have a bunch of cash for an upgrade, I would be tempted to go and buy the most expensive lens I could once I had read all the reviews and knew it was great value for money. Otherwise I would keep saving and save up for a full frame sensor camera.

If the lens is the same, 15M pixels will allow you to crop an image to a greater extent.

I think someone else can take over from here.

David_Aston

Thank you unrich for a lot to chew over. In due course I am hoping to replace my Canon 300d with a 50D, hence the enquiry over the sensor sizes.
Thanks again for the info, and the links.

David_Aston

Unrich, just to add, I have a Sigma 30mm 1.4 prime lens, plus the cheapo Canon 18-55, and 55-250 IS combinations. Can't really see me extending to the Canon "L" lens, much as I would like!!

unrich

300D sensor 22.7 x 15.1 mm CMOS 6 mega pixels
50D sensor 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS 15.5 megapixels

The sensor is the same size. But more light and definition will be there in the 6 M pixel sensor, unless they have improved the amterials and engine and processing etc etc. Basically it would require a 100% improvement as there are more than double the pixels in the same area.

Have a look on the web for the fuji f31fd its a little compact camera that goes for silly money still on ebay. Photographers rave about it. Not having one I can't really comment. It does have a big sensor 1/1.6" as opposed to the more common 1/2.5" sensors.

I have a 10 mega pixel camera and a few basic lenses.
I was thnking of entering a competition and they wanted 300dpi for A4. That's more than 2490 * 3510 pixels i.e. 8.7 Megapixels. I have to be careful cropping and I can't use 6 M pixel resolution.

Here's another site I found about printing and distances. I'm looking to print on A3 at the moment and see just how 10meg holds up.
http://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/printing/resolution/1_which_resolution_print_size_viewing_distance.htm

Increasing the quality of your images is a tricky subect. I like depth of field and use the lowest ASA 100 to reduce noise and I use a tripod, longer exposure and small apertures.

If you want wildlife you probably want faster ASAs, big apertures, big tele lenses and fast shutters, and a tripod.

There's a compromise somewhere.

What is wrong with your images at the moment?

David_Aston

Bless you unrich. Again, a lot of info for me to chew on. In general I am happy with my current images, but the 300d is getting a little long in the tooth, and will have to be replaced with another Canon, unless I ditch my existing lens. Truthfully the 450 should be more than adequate, but the 30/40/50 series are I believe more durable. Couldn't ever justify a 5d mk11.
Thanks again for you help.

unrich

I'm trying to skip a generation. I have the 10M pixel one. The next version of mine has excellent ratings and is a 14.6 M pixel camera. I might try and hold out for the full frame version. Hopefully these will be under £1000 in a year. I'm saving up and trying to improve my skills.

Its about the image not the equipment at the end of the day. One of my favourite Ansell Adams pictures he took on a 35mm camera and scratched the negative after treading on it.
http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=ansell+adams+Georgia+O%27Keeffe+and+Orville+Cox&btnG=Search+Images
Not at all what he is most admired for.

David_Aston

Hello unrich
Which camera do you use?
You are certainly right about the final image being what it is all about. However, with Photoshop and all it's clones being so prevalent, do you not find that it makes us suspect that a great picture has been "doctored", when we see one these days?
I have been reading about the full frame versus cmos sensor debate on some of the forums. Most of it goes above my head, but I have been getting the idea that full frame advantages can be overcome. The site I have added the link for is very informative, although you probably already know it.
http://www.dpreview.com/