thanks, but why is more, better... lol
It is not always better. For every situation there is an optimal pixel count.
"megapixel" is a pure marketing term. What you really care about is the number of pixels across the widest side of the frame. For example a 3000 x 2000 frame is 6MP but what matters is the "3000" part. These is no reason in the world for a photographer to care about the product of hight times width. He cares about pixels across.
Here is how to find the optimal pixel count -- Working backwards from the final print first you determine the nimimum number of pixels you need. How big is the print on the widest edge? Let's say "ten inches". Then we apply a rule of thumb that say "it's best to print at 300 pixels per inch". So we se that for 10 inch prints we need 3000 pixels. If your camera shoots 3000 pixel images there is zero room to crop a 10" print. Going with a 4000 pixel camera or with a smaller print size would give some crop room. Note that a 4000 pixel camers works out to about 10.4MP
Assuming the sensor is the same physical size, If the pixels are smaller than needed the camera is less sensitive to light and will have more noise in the image.
Why more MPs? Because Long ago cameras did not have anything even close to the above "minimum number of pixels" and you could clearly see the result. Enlargements looked bad. So people learned they wanted more MPs and the marketing people pushed MP as an indicator of image quality. MP is one indicaor of quality but once you have your minimum number more does not matter.
yeah, this sounds weird...
I currently have a 7.2MP digi camera (sony cybershot), this camera has gotten me interested in photography and I am planning to buy a digi SLR camera, but because of the MP count I cant decide between the Nikon D40 (6.1mp) or the Nikon D40x(10.2mp)
I don't like any of the D40 models. They lack an in-body focus motor. For me that's a deal breaker. Find a used D50 or D70. Some of Nikon's best prime lenses will not autofocus with the D40. Also you are locked out from many of the best deals on the used lens market too. If you add up the cost of a system with one body and three lenses you may be best off buying a body with a focus motor. But if you are hapy with just the kit lens and nothing else then the D40 is fine. But do plan ahead.
I have the D50 it is 6MP and does fine for most of my work which is viewed on electronic media. I was at a show last week where I put images on a large screen using a projector. The projectors can not even show 1MP. My 1080p Sony LCD TV set can't even show 2MP and my 24" iMac is not much better. Only large paper prints call for large pixel counts. And then 10MP v. 6Mp is not much different. Compare pixels along the wide edge not total pixels.
For large sized fine art prints film still wins. If I want a 3 foot wide print, digital ain't going to cut it. 4x5 sheet film is the way to go for that
