Why Megapixels Don’t Matter And Nokia’s 41MP Phone Is Just A Hype

Everybody surprised during last month’s Mobile Congress 2012 event where Nokia announced the world’s first phone with a massive 41 megapixel camera. This resolution in fact tops most DSLRs and the professional high-end cameras. Well, megapixels don’t matter at all after a certain point. Read on…

Nokia 808 PureView

Before discussing about the latest Nokia phone hype, read what exactly a megapixel (MP or Mpx) from Wikipedia

“A megapixel (MP or Mpx) is one million pixels, and is a term used not only for the number of pixels in an image, but to express the number of image sensor elements of digital cameras or the number of display elements of digital displays. For example, a camera that makes a 2048 × 1536 pixel image typically uses a few extra rows and columns of sensor elements and is commonly said to have "3.2 megapixels" or "3.3 megapixels", depending on whether the number reported is the "effective" or the "total" pixel count (as opposed to the 2048 × 1536 = 3,145,728 finished image pixels).”

There is always a misunderstanding that the more megapixels, the better the image quality. The megapixels count refer to the number of pixels that the camera’s sensor can capture. In the case of a mobile phone, it can only accommodate a small sensor which is the electronic plate that turns light into pixels. A large sensor like those that are found on actual DSLR cameras (or any medium camera) accommodates spacious pixels and take beautiful images even if the megapixel number is lower.
Adding to this point, Delhi-based Sajjan Kumar, general manager, imaging division, Nikon India Pvt. Ltd, told LiveMint

“the quality of an image taken by a camera is determined by a combination of sensor type, sensor size, image processor (engine of camera), lens quality, camera settings, shooting conditions and finally, the person behind the camera. The perfect combination of the above only can ensure a mind-blowing image.”

Also, the naked eye cannot tell the difference  between 5 MP and 41 MP or 100 MP if you are printing on a smaller page or if you posting that picture on Facebook. Megapixels matter if we had a printer big enough that can be plastered on the size of a house!

“Nokia is aware of this, and company spokespersons can confirm that the 808 PureView is not meant to replace high-end DSLRs. Instead, the phone uses a complicated programming algorithm to create high-quality 5 MP images out of the 41 MP sensor. The real trick is allowing up to 3x zoom, without using any optics—optical zoom on a camera phone being only marginally better than digital zoom. Instead, the user can simply select the part of the image that they want, and “enlarge” it using a digital algorithm, to give detailed, high-quality zoom.”

The catch is here is the fact that higher numbers sound better and most manufacturers focus their marketing gimmicks on the number of megapixels their cameras can provide.
[Image]


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8 responses to “Why Megapixels Don’t Matter And Nokia’s 41MP Phone Is Just A Hype”

  1. Cocco_Bill Avatar
    Cocco_Bill

    You have made a total fool of yourself. Are you yet ready to apologize and retract your ridiculous BS claiming 808 PureView is just hype? Or do you just continue being an ignorant silly fanboi?

    1. iCosmoGeek Avatar

      While we encourage active discussions, and even heated debates, please be courteous and disciplined while commenting.

      All the points mentioned in this post are true to the best of my knowledge.

      1. Dgt Avatar
        Dgt

        I’ll say it too, you’re making fools out of yourselves with this article.
        And this is coming from a 24 year old professional photographer, mobile guru and a web-designer who hates any sort of hypes.

        1. iCosmoGeek Avatar

          There you go! Professional photographers know better about Megapixels and after a certain point, they don’t matter at all.

          The highest megapixel count on a conventional DSLR to date is Nikon’s recently announced D800, which tops out at 36MP.
          @foresmac from arstechnica writes a detailed explanation about this hype. Read on – http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/03/innovation-or-hype-ars-examines-nokias-41-megapixel-smartphone-camerainnovation-or-hype-ars-examines-nokias-41-megapixel-smartphone-camera/

  2. Burp Avatar
    Burp

    Cocco_Bill, it seems that you left your brain at home…

  3. Thomas Burg Avatar
    Thomas Burg

    With all due respect, you do not seet to understand why the Nokia 808 has the best camera among all mobile phones. Your various definitions from Wikipedia are all correct but they miss the point.

    Why don’t you read a bit of information first: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_808_PureView#Image_sensor. They use a 41mp sensor to create create 5 mp images.

    The Nokia guys have been working on this for 5 years so please do not simply bash it without even knowing it.

  4. sumant Avatar
    sumant

    The most juvenile opinion ever on any device. I hope you are an adult to understand the world around you better. Pay attention here, you have an opinion, not a review, cunningly presented to hide the fact that you do not even have the device for trial or review. Please be careful about posting what you do on a blog, it’s not about personal bias, it is about facts. There must be a reason why the world is crazy about the 808 PureView.

    1. iCosmoGeek Avatar

      I am again insisting the point that higher megapixels don’t matter at all. I would encourage you to read arctechnica’s article which is already mentioned in the discussion –
      http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/03/innovation-or-hype-ars-examines-nokias-41-megapixel-smartphone-camerainnovation-or-hype-ars-examines-nokias-41-megapixel-smartphone-camera/

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