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18 mpixel sensor pixel size vs older types

Started Apr 1, 2014 | Discussions thread
Doug Pardee
Doug Pardee Veteran Member • Posts: 9,920
Re: 18 mpixel sensor pixel size vs older types
2

Very simply: more pixels means more sharpness (all else being equal).

A larger sensor means less shot noise (all else being equal).

Changing the number of pixels that a particular size of sensor is divided into doesn't affect shot noise levels. If you zoom into the pixel level, then yes, you'll see more noise. But that's because you're zoomed farther in. At a given image size, the amount of shot noise is constant no matter how many or how few megapixels are present.

That said... "all else being equal" is rarely true. You have to evaluate each camera model on its own merits. You can't determine image quality via calculations. You have to take pictures and look at them.

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