what is a megapixel worth? at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · March 8th, 2004, 06:08 PM

Remember a while back I was thinking of buying an older but decent EFV digital camera? Well, I talked my better half into letting me buy a new one. I had decided on a 5mp Minolta A1, but now the 8mp A2 has come out. SHould be a no brainer, except Minolta has jacked the price on the A2 up another $300.

Feature wise, they both have the same goodies that I care about (the A2 has a pimp 900k pixel EVF though), the extra 3mp are the only things pushing me towards the A2. I can get an A1 for about $700us, but the A2 will clock up $1000. So $300us ($400cdn for me), what would you guys do in my situation?

I'm not a pro photographer and don't make a living at it, and may never print anything bigger than an 8x10. On the other hand, maybe I will take that one great picture that I wish I would have been able to blow up bigger, and regret not having the extra resolution.

Thoughts anyone?

Oh, in case anyone is wondering, I chose the A1/A2 because of its image stabilization capabilities. No other camera in that class has an IS except for the Panasonic Lumix, which I don't like the form/feel of in my hands. Yes I know I can get a Digital Rebel for the same price, but not with a 28-200mm IS lens. Plus the A1/A2's are smaller and I'll take it with me more often.

Frank Granovski · March 8th, 2004, 07:10 PM

That new higher-end Canon sure is nice.

I doubt you can get much for a used lower pixel'd camera. They're a dime a dozen in pawn shops. Sorry.

With a good film camera, the value is there, with electronics, it's another matter.

See if you can talk a friend into buying it for web stuff. Or give it away as a present to a family member.

$200 at most, more likely $100. However, you may always get lucky.

Dylan Couper · March 8th, 2004, 08:34 PM

Frank, you'd be surprised at how well some digital cameras keep their value. I sure was. If I could get a real bargain on a used one, I would. In the internet marketplace, there is such a demand for used cameras that it drives the price higher than it should be. Not many pawn shops near me, so I don't get to check them out. If you see any used Minolta A1's, let me know!

Not sure what you mean about selling any of my cameras though. I'm looking to buy, not sell.

Jeff Donald · March 8th, 2004, 09:03 PM

I think your subject (what is a megapixel worth?) threw him a curve. Besides, it's still pretty early for Frank.

Frank Granovski · March 8th, 2004, 09:12 PM

I'm okay. :-))

Hmmm. My buddy can't even get $600 for his Coolpix and lenses. He paid around $3000. He's now asking $400. The cam's only a year old. :-((

Maybe I should go to sales college.... :-))

Quote:

Not sure what you mean about selling any of my cameras though. I'm looking to buy, not sell.

I guess it would have helped my cause if I would have read your original post word for word, and then one more time for good measure, before I hammered the keyboard. Sorry Dylan. I hope I didn't give you a heart-attack. :-))

Adrian Douglas · March 8th, 2004, 10:06 PM

Dylan,

5MP is fine for up to A4 (8x11.5) size. I've printed shots from my 4MP Canon S45 and they look great. If you were wanting to print for commercial purporses then the A2 would be better but for your own use I would just go with the A1.

Dylan Couper · March 9th, 2004, 08:01 PM

Hmm... Decisions decisions... I'll have to give it some more though.

Frank, which Coolpix does he have? $3000 sounds like D-SLR price range.

Frank Granovski · March 9th, 2004, 08:07 PM

I can't recall---the one that came out about 8 months ago. That price also includes 3 or more Nikkor lenses. He bought that new high-end Canon a few months ago (with lenses). I can't recall that model either off hand. As you know, I prefer manual film cameras and small miniDV cams.

Rob Belics · March 9th, 2004, 11:57 PM

You da man, Frank. I can still get $180 for my OM2.

Charles Papert · March 10th, 2004, 02:05 AM

Dylan, I got an A1 last month primarily for scouting and pre-visualizing on film sets, due to its fully mechanical zoom. I have it marked with cine focal lengths, and am quite pleased with its performance for that purpose--the stabilizer is great for this use, as I can take longer lens shots in low light without them going blurry on me. I'm able to make little movies on the spot as well, so we can rough in camera moves. I was hoping to find a camera that did all this AND took really great pictures, but after researching this camera and waiting six months for the Sony 828 to come out (to great disappointment image-wise, from all I gathered) I gave up and bought the A1 for work, plus a Canon D10 and a couple lenses to make pretty pictures with for play. (the D10 is too big and doesn't have a movie mode or an active display while shooting, which makes it less desirable for the pre-viz stuff). I've yet to see proof that the new generation of 8 mp cameras with smaller sensors can make images that compete with the 6 mp larger sensors like the D10, image-wise.

(p.s. I managed to get a factory refurbished D10 for the price of the Rebel, which made this all possible).

Here's an example of a scout I did today with the A1...there's a couple of soft shots as I was in a bit of a rush, still learning the peculiarities of autofocus on that camera!, but they are just reference pics for me and my gaffer. How about that house, BTW--it's a former celebrity abode in Bel Air, we are shooting some walkthroughs for a documentary this weekend. Nice looking place,eh?

Dylan Couper · March 10th, 2004, 02:19 AM

Thanks for the feedback on it Charles. My final decision of a A1/A2 over a Digital Rebel or 10d was based on the theory that if I had a D-SLR body plus two lenses, it would stay at home alot more, and I wouldn't take nearly as many pictures with it. Plus by the time I added the IS lenses, it would double the cost of an A2, which maxes out my budget.

Charles Papert · March 10th, 2004, 02:25 AM

Exactly so. I haven't ventured out with my D10 yet (shame! shame!) which makes me wonder if did the right thing...NO! I shall take pictures for fun, I shall!

Frank Granovski · March 10th, 2004, 02:39 AM

I take at least a couple of pictures a day, well almost. There's always something interesting to snap, er, click. May film never die! Just keep in mind that a picture can steal someone's soul, if you do it right. :-))

I posted about my buddy's digi cams before. In fact, the pic of me on this board was done with his Nikon.

Jeff Donald · March 10th, 2004, 07:03 AM

I covered a Concours d' Elegance on Saturday and shot over 600 images. Sometimes it helps to give yourself an assignment to get things started. The A1 and A2 are great cameras, Dylan. I think you'll be happy with either. Charles is right about these new 8 MP cameras. None are really living up to their expectations because of high noise levels and chromatic aberrations in some lighting conditions.

Yow Cheong Hoe · March 13th, 2004, 08:51 AM

I have shot faux 6MP on my Fuji S602 (more realistically 3MP) and using Photoshop for cleaning and interpolating, I have SOLD (Yes, paid job) posters of A0 size! That's 5000 x 7500 pixels at 150dpi. The client noted that the image is not exactly sharp, but good enough for their use. Moral of the story: MP is not everything!

March 8th, 2004, 06:08 PM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	what is a megapixel worth? Remember a while back I was thinking of buying an older but decent EFV digital camera? Well, I talked my better half into letting me buy a new one. I had decided on a 5mp Minolta A1, but now the 8mp A2 has come out. SHould be a no brainer, except Minolta has jacked the price on the A2 up another $300. Feature wise, they both have the same goodies that I care about (the A2 has a pimp 900k pixel EVF though), the extra 3mp are the only things pushing me towards the A2. I can get an A1 for about $700us, but the A2 will clock up $1000. So $300us ($400cdn for me), what would you guys do in my situation? I'm not a pro photographer and don't make a living at it, and may never print anything bigger than an 8x10. On the other hand, maybe I will take that one great picture that I wish I would have been able to blow up bigger, and regret not having the extra resolution. Thoughts anyone? Oh, in case anyone is wondering, I chose the A1/A2 because of its image stabilization capabilities. No other camera in that class has an IS except for the Panasonic Lumix, which I don't like the form/feel of in my hands. Yes I know I can get a Digital Rebel for the same price, but not with a 28-200mm IS lens. Plus the A1/A2's are smaller and I'll take it with me more often. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 8th, 2004, 08:34 PM	#3
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Frank, you'd be surprised at how well some digital cameras keep their value. I sure was. If I could get a real bargain on a used one, I would. In the internet marketplace, there is such a demand for used cameras that it drives the price higher than it should be. Not many pawn shops near me, so I don't get to check them out. If you see any used Minolta A1's, let me know! Not sure what you mean about selling any of my cameras though. I'm looking to buy, not sell. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 8th, 2004, 09:03 PM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I think your subject (what is a megapixel worth?) threw him a curve. Besides, it's still pretty early for Frank. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 8th, 2004, 10:06 PM	#6
Adrian Douglas Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chigasaki, Japan. Posts: 1,660	Dylan, 5MP is fine for up to A4 (8x11.5) size. I've printed shots from my 4MP Canon S45 and they look great. If you were wanting to print for commercial purporses then the A2 would be better but for your own use I would just go with the A1. __________________ Adrian DVInfo.net Search for quick answers Where to buy? From the best in the business...DVInfo.net sponsors

March 9th, 2004, 08:01 PM	#7
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Hmm... Decisions decisions... I'll have to give it some more though. Frank, which Coolpix does he have? $3000 sounds like D-SLR price range. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 8th, 2004, 07:10 PM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	That new higher-end Canon sure is nice. I doubt you can get much for a used lower pixel'd camera. They're a dime a dozen in pawn shops. Sorry. With a good film camera, the value is there, with electronics, it's another matter. See if you can talk a friend into buying it for web stuff. Or give it away as a present to a family member. $200 at most, more likely $100. However, you may always get lucky.

March 9th, 2004, 08:07 PM	#8
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I can't recall---the one that came out about 8 months ago. That price also includes 3 or more Nikkor lenses. He bought that new high-end Canon a few months ago (with lenses). I can't recall that model either off hand. As you know, I prefer manual film cameras and small miniDV cams.

March 9th, 2004, 11:57 PM	#9
Rob Belics Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 581	You da man, Frank. I can still get $180 for my OM2.

March 10th, 2004, 02:05 AM	#10
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Dylan, I got an A1 last month primarily for scouting and pre-visualizing on film sets, due to its fully mechanical zoom. I have it marked with cine focal lengths, and am quite pleased with its performance for that purpose--the stabilizer is great for this use, as I can take longer lens shots in low light without them going blurry on me. I'm able to make little movies on the spot as well, so we can rough in camera moves. I was hoping to find a camera that did all this AND took really great pictures, but after researching this camera and waiting six months for the Sony 828 to come out (to great disappointment image-wise, from all I gathered) I gave up and bought the A1 for work, plus a Canon D10 and a couple lenses to make pretty pictures with for play. (the D10 is too big and doesn't have a movie mode or an active display while shooting, which makes it less desirable for the pre-viz stuff). I've yet to see proof that the new generation of 8 mp cameras with smaller sensors can make images that compete with the 6 mp larger sensors like the D10, image-wise. (p.s. I managed to get a factory refurbished D10 for the price of the Rebel, which made this all possible). Here's an example of a scout I did today with the A1...there's a couple of soft shots as I was in a bit of a rush, still learning the peculiarities of autofocus on that camera!, but they are just reference pics for me and my gaffer. How about that house, BTW--it's a former celebrity abode in Bel Air, we are shooting some walkthroughs for a documentary this weekend. Nice looking place,eh? __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

March 10th, 2004, 02:19 AM	#11
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Thanks for the feedback on it Charles. My final decision of a A1/A2 over a Digital Rebel or 10d was based on the theory that if I had a D-SLR body plus two lenses, it would stay at home alot more, and I wouldn't take nearly as many pictures with it. Plus by the time I added the IS lenses, it would double the cost of an A2, which maxes out my budget. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 10th, 2004, 02:25 AM	#12
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Exactly so. I haven't ventured out with my D10 yet (shame! shame!) which makes me wonder if did the right thing...NO! I shall take pictures for fun, I shall! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

March 10th, 2004, 02:39 AM	#13
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I take at least a couple of pictures a day, well almost. There's always something interesting to snap, er, click. May film never die! Just keep in mind that a picture can steal someone's soul, if you do it right. :-)) I posted about my buddy's digi cams before. In fact, the pic of me on this board was done with his Nikon.

March 10th, 2004, 07:03 AM	#14
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I covered a Concours d' Elegance on Saturday and shot over 600 images. Sometimes it helps to give yourself an assignment to get things started. The A1 and A2 are great cameras, Dylan. I think you'll be happy with either. Charles is right about these new 8 MP cameras. None are really living up to their expectations because of high noise levels and chromatic aberrations in some lighting conditions. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 13th, 2004, 08:51 AM	#15
Yow Cheong Hoe Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Singapore, Passport: Malaysia Posts: 407	I have shot faux 6MP on my Fuji S602 (more realistically 3MP) and using Photoshop for cleaning and interpolating, I have SOLD (Yes, paid job) posters of A0 size! That's 5000 x 7500 pixels at 150dpi. The client noted that the image is not exactly sharp, but good enough for their use. Moral of the story: MP is not everything!