[Recovered Thread: 29259]

[al_gore]

I own a HP Photosmart 812.
I am very unhappy with the quality of photos it takes.
I would like to upgrade.
I can spend $400.00, maybe a little more.

I have shopped in the past with this notion in mind:
The larger the megapixel, the better the camera.

I am now under the impression that the larger the megapixels are, the larger the printed photo can be, NOT the better the image will be.
A 4 megapixel camera does not neccessarily take better quality pictures than a 2 or 3 megapixel camera.

I do not need to print large photos.
The largest photo I will EVER print is 8 x 11.
And I will do that rarely.
Mostly I view the images on-screen.

I need a camera that takes crystal clear, crisp, sharp images of interior shot portraiture.
Color accuracy and focus is important to me.

I don't care about video clips.
I don't care about printing a photo that can be used as a billboard.

So, I've come to the conclusion that I'm way off base shopping for a camera with the size of the megapixel as my criteria.
I need to find a camera with a good LENS.
I haven't a clue on how to do that.

I'm considering the Sony CD500 with a Carl Zeiss lens.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/cd500.html

Does anyone have a better suggestion?

thank you
al

[dnas]

I lean towards the lens rather than JUST Mpixel size....

e.g. If you take some shots of someone (say a singer)on stage from 30 metres away, and you have 2Mpixel with 8x optical zoom, and an 8Mpixel with 4x optical zoom(both zoomed to maximum), the image of the singer(the singer cropped toyour satisfaction)will be be exactly the same with either camera.

So the 2Mpixel camera will provide the same resolution of the SUBJECT as the 8Mpixel camera.

(If you want to take a wide angle shot of everything, then the 8M will be superior of course)

So, I think that you should look at the lens first, then the Mpixels.

Look at www.dcresource.com

It has some good, critical reviews to help you choose.

[TC3]

I went from a 3m Sony to the 4m kyocera 410R. With the 10 x zoom and the extra res i am more then happy as nothing beats being able to see exactly what you are shooting and framing the subject right.....cropping on pc doesnt given me the same satisfaction. The EVF gains up and the 3,000,000 pixels makes it a pleasure to use.

I do not print larger then A4 but can do so no problem if required. The Kyocera has an excellent flash for portraits and pictures are sharp and skin tones come out perfect. I have been into photography over 20 years...so hopefully my opinion counts for something. the camera lacks manual focus but this is overcome by using spot focus in most cases.

style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000"Forget the fancy 8m res....they are over rated and to expensive and from what you say you dont need one