Cameras - the power factor

Lately, I noticed that many people pathetically judge a camera by it's megapixel figure.

Well, I wanted to say this in my post below, but which at that time I had slipped the topic of cameras out of my mind, but by now replenished when I was viewing Alison's blog post here.

She said:

"...it's 5 mp!..."

Now, it's quite easy to incorporate image processors of any pixel capacity with the advancement of technology. So, 5MP cameras are quite common these days. A few 5MP (or higher) phones:

-Nokia N95/N95 9GB
-LG Secret
-Samsung Omnia? (not sure)
-Sony Ericsson C902

What is wrong with you guys? why measure a camera quality by it's megapixel count?

Recently, everyone was rushing during Geo class, trying to take pics of Pn Teoh's slideshow. Then I heard someone mutter the sentence that shall not be said.

"Eh, your camera how many megapixel? Wah, 3 megapixels! Higher quality than mine wor, mine only 2 megapixels."

It's like comparing two TVs. One with HD (approx. 2MP) and one without.

What's the point of going for the HD one, with higher pixel resolution, when you don't even have anything to use, to appreciate the HD features? Why spend so much over something USELESS?

That is scenario 1. Now let's see scenario 2.

The HD TV. It's cool, it's awesome. But it is cacat on the contrast and brightness side. The normal TV is fine, but the megapixel do not stand a chance against the HD rival.

Which will you choose? Of course, because I mentioned the "cacat" part, you'll go for the normal TV.

Now change "TV" to "handphone", and "HD" to "5MP". Which will you choose?

Your basic instinct tells you to go for the 5MP cacat camera phone. Why? Because, let's face the truth. Which stupid company will widely advertise the following?

"Our cameras are shallow on color depth and contrast, and lacks brightness, although the camera boasts 5 megapixels!"

Of course they will say, instead:

"This phone boasts an extremely stylish and slim 5MP camera, which captures every moment perfectly!"

Duh. That's why something called "detailed specifications" exist. They are like the "nutritional information" on a junk food packaging.

You'll have to look at all aspects, and not just the megapixel.

What is the focal length (distance between lens and image processor)? How wide is the color temperature? Does the camera support bracketing? Is the camera using optical or digital zoom? How wide is the focusing range? How big is the image processor? What lens is mounted? What kind of flash is used?

Of course, a newbie at photography (including myself) will not be able to interpret all these information.

If I were to be given a choice between two cameras offered for free, let's say the Canon EOS 5D (12.7MP, retail price: RM7999) and the Canon EOS 450D (10MP, retail price: RM2999), I'll go for the Canon EOS 450D although it has less megapixel.

Why?

Because the 450D has Live View (the monitor you use to capture pictures in compact cameras). And the 450D (weighing in at 450g without the lens, not sure about with the lens) is significantly lighter than the 5D (weighing in at 875g without the lens, with the lens I'll say it weighs around 1.5kg)

I've had a first hand experience with the 5D for a week, and I'd say it's a freakin' good camera.

However, less than 5 hours of continuous photography in Melaka, I found my neck swelling and boasting a bright red tone (due to strain from camera via a neckstrap), and my right hand barely able to write.

The eyepiece cover is also extremely uncomfortable, and I hope that has been fixed in the 450D.

I'll show you some comparison pictures of objects taken at 1MP and 7MP with the same camera but on different settings (you can download the pictures and see the settings I used via the META tags).




The first picture is taken on 7MP while the second on 1MP.

See the difference?

Personally, I prefer resolutions around 1~2MP for phones, and 3~4MP for compact cameras. On a DSLR, I usually use 5MP (or the nearest lower resolution).

Also: Cool! There's a thermometer free with every purchase of a 6-pack Three Legs cooling water (air badak)!

My mother bought two 6-packs, and I used both thermometers on my computer! Hehe! Will post pics later.. Going for dinner kkthxbai