we love david bergman and Adorama TV Awesome video, and this recent video is amazing – especially because it answers one of those big photography questions in a clear and informative way.
So, the question arises: how many megapixels is enough? Well, this will of course depend on what you’re shooting, but more megapixels usually translates to more image detail.
One key consideration is that most photos these days are viewed on screens with far fewer megapixels than your camera – and yes, that includes your smartphone.
For example, Bergman says Instagram uses about 1920 pixels at the longest part. So, even a basic 2 MP camera (about 1600×1200 pixels/1080p) will comfortably meet this minimum requirement. The cover of AP Mag, for example, is about 3000px on the long side, which can be accomplished with a 3-4 MP camera.
When it comes to printing, a 4×6 print only requires 2 MP, and a larger 11×14 print will require about 13.8 megapixels at 300 ppi (pixels per inch).
So why do we need cameras with 40, 50 or even more megapixels? Well, the advantage comes from cropping, because every time you crop your image you lose valuable pixels. But for most photographers shooting ‘everyday’ subjects, a camera in the 20 to 24-megapixel range provides more than enough pixels for most purposes.
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Cover Image: Getty
