Buy the right digital camera, not the most megapixels!

[JimMayor007]

While most people are trying to buy a camera with the highest number of megapixels, that is not necessarily the best way to select a digital camera. There is another issue to consider when selecting a good camera. You should also find out how big the CCD chip is. The CCD (charge-coupled device) is the chip that turns the image received by the camera into a digital picture. The larger the CCD the more detailed and crisp the picture produced.

As far as megapixels go unless you plan to produce prints larger than 8 X 10 inches in size, you don’t need more than 4 megapixels. The CCD used in most digital cameras in only 5.3mm X 4mm, sometimes listed as (1/2.7 in.). High end digital cameras like the digital SLRs usually have a CCD that is 18mm X 13.5mm. The problem is that many digital cameras don't include information about the size of the CCD. Before buying you should research any camera to find out the size of the CCD. By knowing both the size of the CCD and the resolution in megapixels, you will be much happier with your purchase.

...read the full guide here with pics

[mwfanelli]

While most people are trying to buy a camera with the highest number of megapixels, that is not necessarily the best way to select a digital camera. There is another issue to consider when selecting a good camera. You should also find out how big the CCD chip is. The CCD (charge-coupled device) is the chip that turns the image received by the camera into a digital picture. The larger the CCD the more detailed and crisp the picture produced.

As far as megapixels go unless you plan to produce prints larger than 8 X 10 inches in size, you don’t need more than 4 megapixels. The CCD used in most digital cameras in only 5.3mm X 4mm, sometimes listed as (1/2.7 in.). High end digital cameras like the digital SLRs usually have a CCD that is 18mm X 13.5mm. The problem is that many digital cameras don't include information about the size of the CCD. Before buying you should research any camera to find out the size of the CCD. By knowing both the size of the CCD and the resolution in megapixels, you will be much happier with your purchase.

Much too simplistic. First, most P&S cameras use the same sized-sensors, produced by Sony and Kodak. Finding a 4 MP camera is almost impossible these days. My P&S is a Canon S400 with a slightly larger sensor and 4MP, a camera that is no longer made with either. Yes, it has excellent IQ.

Second, you also miss the point that technology is getting better. More megapiuxels, even if not really needed, are, many times, better quality even when smaller. It isn't just the number of photosites, but the quality of each one and the electronics around them.

Third, for DSLRs, CMOS is the alternative to CCD sensors. Canon cameras use Canon-produced CMOS that almost always has lower noise than the outsourced CCD sensors used by other manufacturers. Of course, there is also the radically different Fovean used in Sigma DSLRs.

It's nice to try and help beginners but you have to be much more specific, deal with modern technology rather than old knowledge, talk about what is actually available on the market, and all the choices out there.