megapixel question....

[geckoejon]

hello,

i have been scanning the used adds and came across a nikon d3200 24 mp w/ tamron 90mm macro. i'm not sure if it would be worth upgrading my d80 10.2 mp camera, or if i would be just as well off buying a 90mm macro??? i currently have a 40mm macro with the d80 that takes halfway decent pics.

i believe the higher the mega pixel the better. correct? the d3200 has over twice the mp of my d80. is there more to it than that? would the pics be much clearer because of the higher mp?

thoughts?

 

[OllieNZ]

Not necessarily, the more pixels you cram on a sensor the more noise they generate and it takes some trick software in the camera to get the best out of it. I'd look at things like high iso performance and other features over mp.

 

[OllieNZ]

I'm not saying don't buy it, I'm just saying do your research. I'm not familiar enough with the models in question to recommend one over the other.

 

[BlueCorn]

Unless you're making large prints (20" x 30" ish) it's unlikely you'd notice a difference. That doesn't mean you shouldn't upgrade, just that you won't see a jump in quality because you have more pixels.

They newer camera will have better ISO performance, which would help produce cleaner pictures in low light.

 

[Misled]

What Doug said. You should also see if the 90mm sold with this camera, auto focuses with that camera, if that matters to you. The 3200 does not auto focus with the older AF lenses. If you have some of the older AF lenses, they won't either.

 

[Fishy 1]

Doug explained it well

 

[geckoejon]

thank you for the info....

ollienz, the d3200 reportedly does have better iso performance and software (correct term?) installed, then my d80.

i actually had a local friend who is heavy into photography recommend holding out for the d3300 because it has even better software. i'm unsure though. not sure if being an amateur that i would even notice the difference.

doug, understood. the lower light quality would be an advantage. i haven't blown any pics up yet. although, if i had some nice enough i probably would

misled, my only macro is a nikkor 40mm that i bought new 6 months ago. the af works on it fine. i'm not sure about the d3200 or that 90mm though. i will check into it.

the d80 is my first camera that isn't point and shoot. i only bought that about 6 months ago to try taking some decent reef pics. i saw the d3200, original lens, tamron 90mm macro, bag, and ect... for $600 and thought it might be worth upgrading.