Megapixels vs. Image Quality - At odds?

[o-ron]

To understand my perspective, you should know I've owned (and been immensely happy with) a Nikon Coolpix 4300 camera for the last 4 years. (if you don't know what it is, check out th dcresource review on from way back when...). Also, note that this discussion is not pertain to DSLR's.

Yes, it's only 4 megapixels, but it takes amazingly good pictures for a camera that (just barely) fits in your pocket (sort of).

So today I'm looking for a new camera. Basically I just want my same camera (with manual controls and good lens quality and such), but with a higher resolution and smaller body size. I figure this should be easy given the advanced in technology over the past 4 years, right?

Wrong.

Wow, what a struggle it's been finding a camera that matches this description. Just when I think I've found the perfect candidate (e.g. Panasonic Lumix LX2, or Casio EX-V7), I discover here that they have very poor image quality and lots of noise - even with their automatic (and non-disable-able) noise reduction.

Does pushing up the pixel resolution inherently cause greater and greater noise?

It seems like it does. Your thoughts?

[fionndruinne]

It seems to be the case - but I'm not terribly well versed in modern compacts. I can echo your problem, though - my old Olympus D-520 takes much better pictures (it is best at handling light, bright light, even direct sun-glare, such as on water at sunset, without washing out, and produces some beautiful results) than most new compact digitals.

[kgosden]

A timely question since Phil Askey has just posted a good article on just this subject over at DPReview:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/

[tim11]

Have you heard of Fuji F30, F31fd?
It has the best image at higher ISO and Aperture, shutter controls. There is a thread in Fuji forum and DCRP has done a preview; so has Dpreview.

[sjseto]

The answer seems to be, yes, more megapixels has resulted in more noise in compact cameras...with the notable exception of the Fuji F-series that Tim just mentioned. I know you're familiar with the F30 because you mentioned in an earlier post that it was among the cameras that you were considering. You seem to have dropped it from your list of candidates; I'm assuming it was at least partly because it doesn't have a full manual mode. Though, in my opinion, the overall image quality really makes up for it.

I'm also distressed by the fact that Nikon and many other manufacturers seem to have "dumbed down" their compact cameras over the years. The Coolpix 4300 was a camera that I was considering several years ago, but since then, their compact line has become much more geared towards the novice or casual user who isn't interested in learning how a camera works; scene modes have replaced true manual control.

I was glad to see that Nikon came out with the P5000 which is kind of reminiscent of the compacts that they used to make. I hope it does well for them. I had a chance to play with one in a store and I really liked the way it felt. Compact but not tiny, nice grip, manual controls, and even a hotshoe (although I can't imagine how it would feel with my SB-600 on it...the flash is bigger than the camera!). Speaking of the P5000...have you considered it?

Stephanie

[o-ron]

Speaking of the P5000...have you considered it?

Stephanie


Yes, as well as the Finepix 30 / 31fd.

The P5000 is probably the closest thing I'll find to my current camera (Coolpix 4300), but I would like to get something A) Smaller and B) Without a lens cap.

9 times out of 10 I wish my camera was smaller or i had it available in my pocket. Only 1 time out of 10 do I wish I had a bigger lens / slr capabilities.

The Finepix 30/31 looks great, but I don't get why they don't include just a regular MANUAL mode. I never bother with priority modes - I'm either auto or manual. I guess I could adapt to it, but that seems silly.



As you may have seen from my othe posts, I'm narrowing down on the Canon S80. It's a tad chunky (and no longer sold!), but I think i can deal with that to get its excellent quality.

Thank goodness for Canon and their more conservative implementation of small-sensor CCDs. If only their hi-end ELPH models had manual controls...

[KAFman]

This is true. More megapixels -> more noise. But you can downsize the image and pretty effectively decrease noise. So it's better to say that more megapixels doesn't grants more resolution in most cases.

[coldrain]

Canon uses Sony CCDs through. Sony and Canon both produce relativily good image quality. Other makes often use Sony CCDs too, but I guess they take less care with image processing, lenses.

The Sony W series used to have manual modes, not anymore. And the Canon A series is a bit too big to be pocketable.

Good luck in finding a Canon S80!

[Wirraway]

The Sony W series used to have manual modes, not anymore. And the Canon A series is a bit too big to be pocketable.


The Sony W100 & forthconing W200 still have manual modes.

[o-ron]

The Sony W100 & forthconing W200 still have manual modes.

I just discovered this recently myself. So for my personal buying decision, I think I'm down to the W200 and the S80.

But again, the new w200 is *12* megapixel.. which means it could potentially have *worse* picture quality than the w100...

[sjseto]

The P5000 is probably the closest thing I'll find to my current camera (Coolpix 4300), but I would like to get something A) Smaller and B) Without a lens cap.

I'm pretty sure that the P5000 doesn't have a lens cap. And it is smaller in total volume, and lighter, than your old Coolpix 4300 (although not quite as small as the other models that you're considering - it's lighter than the S80, though).


The Finepix 30/31 looks great, but I don't get why they don't include just a regular MANUAL mode. I never bother with priority modes - I'm either auto or manual. I guess I could adapt to it, but that seems silly.

It would be nice if it had full manual, but I adapt using exposure compensation if I have to. I do tend to use aperture priority mode more often myself. Two things I like about it compared with the W100/200 that you're considering: you can select from a range of apertures instead of just two; and it has a custom white balance setting. And it has no comparison when it comes to lack of noise (okay, that's a 3rd thing).

Stephanie