Comments on: Get Ready for 14-Megapixel Camera Phones

By: Sony Introduces First 16.41 Megapixel Sensor for Cell Phones

Sony Introduces First 16.41 Megapixel Sensor for Cell Phones — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:50:28 +0000

[...] was only at the beginning of the year that the megapixel race for cell phone cameras hit 14.6 megapixels, but now Sony has unveiled a 16.41 back-illuminated CMOS sensor that can shoot 15 frames per second [...]

By: Photography School Launches Camera Phone Course

Photography School Launches Camera Phone Course — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:25:41 +0000

[...] Best Camera Is The One That’s With You”, the sensors for mobile phones are approaching absurd numbers of megapixels, etc… — so it’s not surprising that a UK-based photography school has launched a [...]

By: zichi

zichi — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:14:08 +0000

Yes Michael while that may be true, this post is discussing camera phones and not digital camera's. With my digital camera, every week and sometimes everyday, I'm taking 10-15 Megapixel photo's including RAW. I think with digital camera's then the more Megapixels the better but with camera phones my opinion changes.
These camera's are already available here in Japan. From the point-of-view of the phone part, most don't work outside the country so probably when going overseas you wouldn't take them with you.
High Megapixel Phone Camera's are great to have especially with all the other functions too but speaking from someone who actually using them, I don't believe a phone camera greater than 5 Megapixels is really necessary. I would prefer they improve the other points, like lens.

By: Michael Zhang

Michael Zhang — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:02:54 +0000

Another issue to consider is future-proofing.

Back in 2003, I shot a trip to another country entirely in 640px because it was enough for me at the time. However, looking back, I wish I had taken it with as many megapixels as I could have (had I sufficient storage) and in RAW. That way, as technology improves and everyone starts using larger sizes for ordinary uses, I could still reprocess the original photos.

You can always shrink photos and get the same results, but not enlarge them. Though it might not be as important as many people make it out to be, I think it's more than a "sales ploy". =)

By: zichi

zichi — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:48:04 +0000

yes I can. I already post at 180dpi but what I'm trying to statement here is that the megapixel race is nothing more than a sales ploy to get us to buy new each time it's increased.

Most people don't even print their photo's and most don't own a good enough printer to do justice to a 14 megapixel image.

So it's all down to what we can do with it on the web.

There are other areas like lens, color correction, low light which could be improved.

By: aki

aki — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:34:37 +0000

Can't you ever see the web being at a higher res than 72dpi?

By: zichi

zichi — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:00:17 +0000

I can't see posting of 14 Megapixel photo's to the web unless we all have 60″ screens.

“However, I still think there will still be an audience who would like the higher MP, ”
that's is just what the manufacturers are hoping for too! Every time they increase the pixels people will dash out and buy a new phone. The “Megapixel Race” needs to end

By: youngdesign

youngdesign — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:59:37 +0000

If I had a 14mb camera on my phone – you better believe I'll be taking family photos on it! Even without the better lens, if I'm somewhere without my SLR and the opportunity arises – bring on the 14mb over the 3mb any day.

I can then post it to the web (flickr/picasa) and my family could download a high-quality photo the minute after I take it!

By: Michael Zhang

Michael Zhang — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:41:08 +0000

Ah, I see what you're saying, and agree that 14 is currently pretty unreasonable for typical uses of camera phones.

However, I still think there will still be an audience who would like the higher MP, and maybe in a few more years we'll all be posting much larger photos to the Internet as everything becomes larger and faster. :-)

By: zichi

zichi — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:27:28 +0000

Michael Zhang I think you're missing the point since most people will only post their photo's on the web or send via email, 14 Megapixels is way too big. Better to make better lens, the ability to shoot in low light etc. The phone I bought for my wife has a camera for video/photo's 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm x 1.0 cm. It's separate from the main body of the phone. My old phone has a 2 Megapixel camera which is more than enough for web postings.