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General discussion

zoom or megapixels

Mar 16, 2005 11:21AM PST

To get a very good 8x10 photo, What would be better, a 4mp camera with a 10x zoom or a 7.2mp camera with a 3-4x zoom that could be enlarged and or cropped? An example, taking photos of a bird at a backyard feeder.

Discussion is locked

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(NT) (NT) The zoom if it's an optical zoom.
Mar 16, 2005 12:21PM PST
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Zoom or Megapixels
Mar 16, 2005 11:48PM PST

I also vote for Zoom.

If you are thinking that a 10X camera can not produce detailed photos (of all types), here is a link to a site I came across.

The gallery has a large collection of Olympus C770 photos of all types.

http://www.pbase.com/wayne_n

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zoom or megapixels
Mar 17, 2005 9:54AM PST

I went to the link and everything I thought about Digital Photography is wrong. How can a 4mp camera take better looking photos then cameras doubling this? Which is better, the Olympus C-770 or the Canon Digital Rebel or the Nikon D-70 as far as overall photo quality?

P.S. Olympus needs to hire whoever took those photographs!

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Photographer
Mar 17, 2005 11:04AM PST

I see you understand, the main ingredient is the photographer.

The D70 and Rebel are more capable cameras.

But a less capable camera can produce outstanding photos. More megapixels do not guarantee a better photo.

If you want to see the other side of the coin.

What happens when you couple an excellent photographer with a $2,000 camera that is fitted with a $4,500 lens?

Nikon D2H with Sigma 300-800 (zoom)lens.

Check out a few great photos:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1005&message=12566687

I posted this link once before, but it is worth a repeat.

If you have dial-up, it may take about two minutes for this link to finish. But it is worth the wait.

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Zoom to megapixels
Mar 18, 2005 5:57AM PST

My choice would be the 10X zoom. I feel that in cropping there are too many variables envolved and you can do a lot with 4MP>

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zoom or megapixel
Mar 18, 2005 9:50AM PST

I see someone has posted my question to cnet's Help and How To and it won question of the week. Cool, it is written better.