What is resolution?

The detail that an image holds is known as its resolution. Lower resolution means low image details whereas higher resolution means high image details. This term is used in digital images, film images and other types of images. When lines are in close proximity to each other and still be visibly resolved, then the closeness of the lines is quantified and is known as resolution of the lines. A television or raster image displays with somewhat less than 525 TV lines of resolution. Digital media measures resolution in terms of pixels, which are tied to physical sizes, like pixels per square inch (ppi) or megapixels (one million of pixels). In printing media, instead of lines, there are dots per square inch (dpi). Greater ppi or dpi, gives proportionately more sharper and clearer image.

Pixel resolution by a digital camera

Digital camera uses digital imaging. The term resolution signifies the total number of pixels in the image, normally stated in terms of megapixels. Mega is million and so megapixel is one million pixel. The formula for counting the total number of megapixels contained in a digital image is multiplying pixel columns by pixel rows and dividing by one million. The quality of a 35mm film is about 20 million pixels.

Some common digital camera resolutions

• 256 x 256 - This resolution is very low giving a total of 65,000 pixels. This is found on very cheap digital cameras and the picture quality is unacceptable.

• 640 x 480 - This is the low-end of digital cameras and the digital photo taken with camera is ideal for Internet usage, emailing or posting on websites.

• 1216 x 912 - Here there are 1,109,000 pixels, which is a megapixel size. In this resolution, you can print pictures.

• 1600 x 1200 - This is high resolution with almost 2 million total pixels. In this resolution, you can obtain the same standard of printing quality that you can find in a 4 x 5 inch print of a good photo lab. You can print a 4 x 5 inch digital photo print in this resolution.

• 2240 x 1680 - This high resolution is found on 4 megapixel cameras. This is the current standard. This resolution allows for printing 16 x 20 inch prints of very good digital photo quality.

• 4064 x 2704 - This resolution is of 11.1 megapixels. The high-end digital camera takes pictures at this resolution. You can print very large prints, but a 13.5 x 9 inch print can be printed with zero loss of digital photo quality.

Some common digital camera resolutions and recommended printing sizes
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Resolution is in a digicam with maximum print size
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1600 x 1200 2 megapixels 4 x 6 "
2048 x 1536 3 megapixels 5 x 7 "
2560 x 1920 5 megapixels 8 x 10 "
2816 x 2112 6 megapixels 11 x 14 "
3264 x 2468 8 megapixels 16 x 20 "
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The higher the resolution the larger is the print size. Print quality also depends on various other factors like quality of the original image, and the quality of paper being used. Inkjet photo paper using a photo printer produces the best result for digital photo taken with a digital camera. The digital camera technology is evolving and high-end digital cameras are becoming cheaper so that you are not forced to buy a discount digital camera or a cheap digital camera due to prohibitive costs. Visit your nearest digital camera store and find out the latest models of digital cameras that the digital camera technology has produced.