Comments on: Why Megapixels Don’t Matter…

By: Chris_Hoffmann

Chris_Hoffmann — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 11:41:00 +0000

Wonderful and accurate article!

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:38:00 +0000

Yes. That is a huge difference. And that’s where Nikon did something rather unexpected (at least in this class of cameras…). The removal of the anti-aliasing filter really helps sharpness, but at the cost of unacceptable and uncorrectable moire that will ruin quite a few shots, depending on what you shoot. Landscape photographers (and even fashion photographers not shooting patterned clothing) will like such a feature. But I doubt the average user is okay with moire. In this discussion, I stuck to solutions that might take the filter away while AT THE SAME TIME eliminating or reducing moire so it’s no longer an issue… But that’s not the case with the D800E.

By: chad kelley

chad kelley — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:43:00 +0000

I am surprised no one has said anything about the quality of the glass you are using. In my experience, it doesnt matter how good your sensor is if your lens sucks!

Also, didn’t I read somewhere that the main difference between the D800 & D800E has to do with the Anti Aliasing filter? I wonder what all of that is about.

Great Article!

By: Chris Embardino

Chris Embardino — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:01:00 +0000

i’m amazed nobody touched on the technology factor here. If it were just as simple as packing a bunch of megapixels on a sensor, then we would all be shooting cell phones with 40 mp. The problem with putting too many megapixels on a sensor is that the technology creates HEAT heat creates noise and grain in a digital image. If you’re looking at a solid piece of imagery and talking pixels then this theory is correct. Take a picture with your 8mp camera phone then take one with a 5 mp slr. even though the 5mp slr has less pixels, the image will very likely be sharper and more pleasing than the cell phone image when printed. The reason is the 3/16″ sensor that you have in the cell phone is generating digital noise that the CMOS sensor at over an inch is not. Processor will have a lot to do with it as well, but they can only do so much to the captured image.

By: Joe Gunawan

Joe Gunawan — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:08:00 +0000

I posted on SLRLounge.com on my thoughts on some of the points on this article, as well as some articles from The Online Photographer that supports/argues on this post:

http://www.slrlounge.com/myths-in-megapixels-does-it-matter

The Online Photographer articles are definitely worth the read!

- Joe Gunawan
SLR Lounge Editor

By: Matt Rennells

Matt Rennells — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:31:00 +0000

So basically, using the above ratings, to hold EVERY single shot, all shot in RAW, for the “rated” life of the shutter is around 10TB — or roughly $600 in hard drive space…. a drop in the bucket compared to most people’s yearly equipment spending.

I am looking at the D800, not for the 36MP, but for the dynamic range, the ability to pull information from the highlights and shadows, and for the ability to crop however I wish (who needs a 200mm zoom with that). In addition, the metering system, face detection TTL and other features are more than worth it for me. Plus I don’t plan on buying a replacement camera within 5 years, and 5 years from now 36MP may be nothing.

By: Matt Rennells

Matt Rennells — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:31:00 +0000

By: Ute Sonnenberg

Ute Sonnenberg — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:58:00 +0000

Thank you. Great Article.

By: ChristophZiegenhardt

ChristophZiegenhardt — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 04:06:00 +0000

Great Post, along the lines of my thougts on why the nikon D600 will be the better camera: http://www.czed.com/blog/2012/05/28/5-reasons-why-the-nikon-d600-will-be-a-great-camera/

By: Joe Horvath

Joe Horvath — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 18:01:00 +0000

AH! I hope this kind of writing will become a trend on fstoppers. It reminds me of all the great content that used to be on here, before the articles recycled from other sites and the opinion-as-fact type stuff lately. Good work Adam!