There are a lot of myth going around cameras, thus producers use it to make their product more appealing to sell more. So, as a photographer, I would like to destroy these myths.
Three main parts of camera: sensor, lens and processor.
Sensor:
Many people think, that the more MP camera has, the better its quality. However, it’s not, quality really depends on size of matrix(sensor) of the camera. So, the conclusion is: the more light (fatons of light) sensor receives, the better quality of an image. Basically, when a sensor receives more information, quality of a picture increases. Sensor is divided into pixels to receive this information. However, when producer says, that our camera has 100MP it doesn’t mean, that it is better than 12MP camera. It is all because of physical scale of matrix.
Why pixels should be bugger in most cases?
We need bigger pixels for night shoots, when there is lack of light(information). However, even in day light it can be noisy, because there are many small pixels, that can’t collect information as good, as bigger ones can.
For what do we need more pixels?
Greater number of pixels helps to make pictures more detailed. Also, it makes work of digital
zoom much better.
ISO is next really crucial factor:
It is about sensitivity of a sensor. The higher number, the more sensitive sensor to light, the
Lighter the image. However, when you up ISO number, more noise appears. And it also doesn’t
mean, that in day light you should keep ISO on 100, every camera has its own BEST ISO
number, this is known as “log”. This helps to expand dynamic range – number of dark and light
pixels. In this case sensor collects more information about light and dark points instead of color,
thus, final image is almost grey, nevertheless, it is much easier to correct colors.
These are main SENSOR sizes:
Other ways to make image better is optics:
It measures in focus length and aperture. Aperture is extent to which it is opened. The bigger
number, the more opened it is. When it is fully opened, sensor receives the biggest amount of
information and “bokeh” effect appear. For sure, final result also depends on quality of these
lenses.
Focus length:
The closer focus point is to sensor, the wider image you have. This correlation is shown on this picture
The last but not least parameter is shutter speed, in simple words it is the time that sensor
receives the information about light.
Here is the example:
What do we see? Companies use hype slogans about quantity of MP, however, there much more features that effect on the final result.