Why megapixel cameras

Simply multiply the number of horizontal pixels by vertical pixels to get the total number of pixels. The security industry has specific needs when it comes to image quality. Often, we might try to identify a face or another object and to do so, we want to zoom in for a closer look. If you digitally zoom in on a p HD image that is already displayed at full size, such as on a HD monitor, the quality of the image quickly deteriorates.

Distinguishing features of faces blur and pixelate with as little as 10 percent zoom depending on how close and in-focus they were in the first place. For this reason, more than any other, a higher pixel density enables a more accurate display of objects that we wish to digitally zoom into during forensic search or live monitoring. The impact for both live monitoring and post-event forensic search is substantial. As discussed above, this means very little light can get into each photosensitive site.

When selecting an IP camera, always check the size of the sensor. Two cameras with the same megapixel count but a different horizontal field of view FoV will produce images of different quality when zoomed in. The camera with the smaller horizontal FoV will retain more detail when optically zoomed. Cameras with a narrower FoV literally capture a smaller image, meaning each individual pixel can capture more detail.

Data shows, however, that crimes committed against businesses happen at night. Cheaper cameras will fail more quickly as the light fades, switching over to infrared earlier black-and-white.

And, when those cheaper cameras do switch over, the IR image will be of poorer quality, quickly losing detail towards the edge of frame. IR range is also important, though be sceptical of datasheets claiming super long ranges. While below a certain price point camera image quality begins to fall off in a big way most noticeably in low- and no-light conditions , there are other areas where cutting costs too much can prove counterproductive.

The phone uses the time taken for the laser to bounce off its subject to determine the distance to the target. Good for taking photos quickly and in low light but less useful for landscape photos where the subject is far away from the camera.

LED flash technology was until recently the most common flash for smartphones. For example, an LED flash gives off light roughly at a temperature of 5, Kelvin K which equates to the temperature of Sunlight. This is why some photos may appear blue when shooting indoors in low light with an LED flash.

Each LED produces a different temperature of light, and when combined can create a more natural looking image. As opposed to taking one photo, HDR mode takes three photos at different exposures. Often your smartphone can give you the regular photo and the HDR photo. The result should better mirror what you see rather than what your smartphone lens sees.

Check out the comparison shots below to see the starked difference when looking at shadows for example. Dependent on your subject matter and lighting conditions HDR isn't always the best solution. A number of steps happen behind the scenes in order for your smartphone to capture a panoramic picture. Firstly, your camera app takes a series of overlapping frames as you pan your phone across the scene or landscape. For a print on A3 size you'll need 17 megapixels. A disadvantage is that your memory card will be full faster since high-resolution files are often large.

A camera with a lot of megapixels doesn't necessarily deliver better photos than a camera with less megapixels. You'll only notice the difference if you print the photos on a bigger scale. A high resolution can also be useful for post-processing in Photoshop. If you're not planning on doing this, then don't value the amount of megapixels too much.

The size of the image sensor and the type of lens will eventually have more impact on the quality of your photo. Business Stores Customer Service. Written by Sanne 17 September How important are megapixels?