How many pixels do you need to print 11x13 prints?

[isis]

Does anyone have experience printing 11x13 and larger ink jet prints? I just bought an Epson 1270 so I can print larger photos. How many pixals should my have to capture enough data to print large prints? Any info will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Marcia

[Rhys]

Does anyone have experience printing 11x13 and larger ink jet prints? I just bought an Epson 1270 so I can print larger photos. How many pixals should my have to capture enough data to print large prints? Any info will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Marcia

Well, let's say you want to print at 150dpi so we have:
150dpi x 11 = 1650 pixels
150 dpi x 13 = 1950 pixels

This is a non-standard ratio as digital cameras have a 4:3 ratio. Thus, we have to take the 11 as being the 3 potion in order to get a sensor that's big enough.

1650 over 3 is 550. 550 x 4 is 2200 pixels.

This means we need an image sensor giving 2200 x 1650 pixels or 3.63 megapixels.

As the nearest above 3 megapixels (which is too little) is 4 megapixels, we have a result: You really need a 4 megapixel camera.

[D70FAN]

Does anyone have experience printing 11x13 and larger ink jet prints? I just bought an Epson 1270 so I can print larger photos. How many pixals should my have to capture enough data to print large prints? Any info will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Marcia

For a studio quality print 300 dpi is the defacto standard, and ~180 dpi would be my personal minimum, for normal viewing (about 3-5 feet away). 6MP (from my D70) will yield a nice print at 13 x 17 on an Epson 2000P using matt paper.

Like Rhys, I have used 150 and even 120 with mixed results, depending on subject, color, and paper. All-in-all still generally acceptable at 8 x 10, but 11 x 13 is pushing it.

I have a couple of 8 x 10 prints from my old Nikon CP900 (1.3MP) printed on an Epson 870 that actually look pretty good (~120dpi). So your milage may vary.

[isis]

George,

Thank you very much.

Marcia

[isis]

Rheys,
Thank you.
macia