How big of a print with a 4 megapix.

[brncr6]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how big of a print I can get

with my my 4 megapix. I print 8.5x11 right now but would like to get

larger prints done. Thanks.

[basscheffers]

It depends more on the quality of the pixels than the number. And there is one way that guarantees you a definitive answer this forum cannot provide: simply order a 16x12 and judge for yourself!

[emre]

Run some noise reduction and sharpening first.

[carl smith]

You'll definitely be wanting to upsize the image, and apply noise processing. Genuine Fractals works but not always any better (sometimes even worse) that photoshops built in bicubic interpolation. Try one and have a print made. That's really the only way you'll get a clear answer. Also as others have mentioned it will depend heavily on the subject matter. A 20x30 print from 4mp of a contrasty concert/club type shot will probably look much better than that same print size from the same camera if the subject is a landscape.

 

And as others have said, it depends on your camera. Not all 4mp cameras are created equal, if the noise is low and the quality of the imager is good, you can make good sized prints. I've heard of 40x60 inch prints being made from D30 shots and the results were quite good as long as you understand the limitations of printing that large from a 3.3mp camera.

[brncr6]

Most of the answers are over my head, the noise reduction and soforth. I know very little about photoshop. Here is on phtot I would like to enlarge.

[brncr6]

I use an Oly C-765 right now, some photos I have printed have come out great but the sunrise came out pretty poor. The darker areas showed hardly any detail.

[frank_dzambic]

The best answers you've gotten so far are to just try and order a big print and see for yourself. Quality is subjective, and 3 different people might have 3 different opinions looking at the same print as to whether or not it's a good quality enlargement or not. Viewing distance will also affect apparant quality.

 

As far as sharpening and noise reduction go, in general, any digital file needs to be sharpened before printing. That function is usually available in any image editing or image viewing program. Noise reduction on the other hand, in a digital camera at a low ISO setting usually isn't that critical as they're already pretty noise free to begin with.

 

Find a place local to you that can print a bigger size than 8.5x11, ask them if you need to do any work on the file yourself (sharpening, etc) or if they'll do it for you, and then just see the results for yourself.

 

If you don't have a local place, I see mpix.com mentioned often as a good and reliable place for having prints made. You upload them your file I believe, and they do the rest.

[jack paradise]

That question has a lot to do with the resolution of your camera. A 4mp camera has a rez of 1704 x 2272.

 

As a starting point divide that resolution by 240 and that should give you a print size of 7"x9.5" (Optimum quality start at 240ppi for digicam. I said start, not end there!).

 

If you what a larger print, you need to lower the resolution. Let's say at 180ppi and that will give you a print of 9.5" x 12.6". The print will be larger than the above, but will not look as good.

 

Now, try it a 150ppi. You do the math. Anyway, the larger the print, the lower the resolution and it's optical quality.

 

PPI = pixel per inch.

 

And of course you could use an upsizing program like Genuine Fractals to get the print size you want. But still, the larger the print... You get the picture.

[waite_watson]

What bridge is it in the picture?If it's the Golden Gate,shouldn't it be called 'sunset'?

[brncr6]

Its the bay bridge, taken from pier 39. Well I guess I am going to buy a Med. format to take with me for my photos I really like. Thanks.