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How To Calculate Camera Resolution

Resolution Formula:

\[ \text{Resolution (MP)} = \frac{\text{Width (pixels)} \times \text{Height (pixels)}}{1,\!000,\!000} \]

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1. What is Camera Resolution?

Camera resolution refers to the number of pixels a camera's sensor can capture, typically measured in megapixels (MP). It's a key specification that affects image quality and detail.

2. How Resolution is Calculated

The resolution is calculated using this simple formula:

\[ \text{Resolution (MP)} = \frac{\text{Width} \times \text{Height}}{1,\!000,\!000} \]

Where:

Explanation: Multiplying width by height gives total pixels, dividing by 1 million converts to megapixels.

3. Importance of Resolution

Details: Higher resolution allows for larger prints and more cropping flexibility, but doesn't necessarily mean better image quality as pixel size and sensor quality also matter.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the width and height in pixels from your camera specifications. Common values are 1920×1080 (2.1MP), 4000×3000 (12MP), or 6000×4000 (24MP).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is higher resolution always better?
A: Not necessarily. While higher resolution captures more detail, it also creates larger files and may reduce low-light performance if pixel size is smaller.

Q2: What's the resolution of 4K video?
A: Standard 4K is 3840×2160 pixels, which equals approximately 8.3 megapixels.

Q3: How does resolution relate to print size?
A: As a rule of thumb, you need about 300 pixels per inch for high-quality prints. A 12MP image (4000×3000) can print at 13×10 inches at 300dpi.

Q4: What's the difference between effective and interpolated resolution?
A: Effective resolution is the actual pixels the sensor captures, while interpolated resolution is artificially increased through software.

Q5: How does resolution affect file size?
A: Higher resolution images create larger files. A 24MP RAW file might be 30-40MB, while a 12MP JPEG might be 3-5MB.

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