Need help quick!

FancyFiona · Mar 30, 2009

I've been looking at cameras for awhile now and I am going to be buying one in the next day or two. One thing that has me confused...are megapixels that important if I upgrade to a DSLR? How many megapixels should it be to produce great photos?

AlexColeman · Mar 30, 2009

Look for a minimum of 10, that will give you good quality for all amateur print sizes.

FancyFiona · Mar 30, 2009

I read somewhere that if you went with a point and shoot that you needed at least 10mp, but with the DSLR that less megapixels were okay. So, that isn't true? Some of the ones that I have been looking at are 8.0 mp, so should I go with 10 or greater with the DSLR as well?

Jaszek · Mar 30, 2009

It depends on how big you will want to print and also will determine how much you can crop

TUX424 · Mar 30, 2009

what sized prints are you looking at printing?
I have a 6.1mp and it is just fine, but i would say go for a least 8mp
The larger amounts of mp that you get the smaller the effect that it really has.

FancyFiona · Mar 30, 2009

I really can't imagine that I would ever print bigger than an 8X10, but if I print an 8X10, I want the quality to be excellent!

TUX424 · Mar 30, 2009

FancyFiona said:
I really can't imagine that I would ever print bigger than an 8X10, but if I print an 8X10, I want the quality to be excellent!

At that size which really isn't that big a 8mp would do just fine

FancyFiona · Mar 30, 2009

Another quick question, what does it actually mean when description says "body only"? Does this just mean that it does not have the extra lens because I can't come up with anything else it could possibly mean!

FancyFiona · Mar 30, 2009

TUX424 said:
At that size which really isn't that big a 8mp would do just fine

We are talking about the DSLR, right? I just don't want to get more confused than I already am..if that's possible.

TUX424 · Mar 30, 2009

FancyFiona said:
Another quick question, what does it actually mean when description says "body only"? Does this just mean that it does not have the extra lens because I can't come up with anything else it could possibly mean!

i means that there is no lens period, you need a lens to take the pictures so a lens is a must buy on top of the camera body only. Unless your NOT buying from a good dealing the body only will still have battery, charger, etc.

digital flower · Mar 30, 2009

If you like to crop then a few more Mps are good. 6.1 can make beautiful prints but I find the larger file sizes can be helpful.

TUX424 · Mar 30, 2009

FancyFiona said:
We are talking about the DSLR, right? I just don't want to get more confused than I already am..if that's possible.

yes were are talking about DSLR, you dont take mp into account when shooting film.

Vern · Mar 30, 2009

FancyFiona said:
Another quick question, what does it actually mean when description says "body only"? Does this just mean that it does not have the extra lens because I can't come up with anything else it could possibly mean!

Howdy......
It means BODY ONLY,NO LENS AT ALL!

Good shootin......
Vern...

FancyFiona · Mar 30, 2009

TUX424 said:
yes were are talking about DSLR, you dont take mp into account when shooting film.

Yes, I do understand that much..ha, I mean the DSLR vs. the Point and Shoot!

FancyFiona · Mar 30, 2009

Maybe I should clarify the original question and give some more info.. I am in very unfamiliar territory when it comes to the DSLR. I've never owned one, but I'm looking into buying one now. I just want to make sure that I get the right amount of Megapixels when I make my purchase! I read somewhere that with the DSLR, you don't need as many megapixels as you do with the Point and Shoot, because the lens will make the quality better, so the mp are less important with the DSLR! Of course, the higher the MP, the more expensive the camera! Since this is my first DSLR, can I print good quality 8X10 pics with an 8.0 MP, or do I need to go up to the 10.0MP? What is bothering me the most is the price difference! I don't want to spend more money than I have to on a something I have never used before. If I like the DSLR, then I will look into upgrading later, for now, I just want the basic!