Dig cam tech question

[Michael Hetrick]

My question is this-

In the film world, if I wanted very high quality negatives I either went to a very fine grain film, ie low ASA #, or a larger format camera. On my little Nikon Coolpix 200 I have choices of 3 MP, 5 MP, and 7 MP. Beside each of the settings is the resultant pixel width/height.

I have a lot of pictures in my garage that I have printed out onto 8X10 size paper. What I WANT to do is maximize my DPI to get the best print I can on that size.

So my question is this, do most camera's give you the ability to maximize DPI or do you somehow make that conversion with software???

Thanks!

[texasv-rod]

All I know is that you want AT LEAST a 5MP camera to make a good 8x10 photo. Obviously, the more MP's, the better. AFAIK, the higher the MP count, the better the depth value. Most might argue that if you go more than a 5 or 6 MP camera for an 8x10, it's a bit of a waste. Of course, a lot has to do with the brand of camera and the amount of light - like Max stated.

[LAVrod]

If you have a decent, DSLR you have the option of the film speed. It simulates the photo sensitivity and speed of film. (of course the faster the film the grainier it appears) Depending on the camera you have the choice of ISO 50 to ISO 3200 (some go to 6400), mine is just a Digital Rebel XTi so I can choose from ISO 100 to 1600.

[Michael Hetrick]

If you have a decent, DSLR you have the option of the film speed. It simulates the photo sensitivity and speed of film. (of course the faster the film the grainier it appears) Depending on the camera you have the choice of ISO 50 to ISO 3200 (some go to 6400), mine is just a Digital Rebel XTi so I can choose from ISO 100 to 1600.

Ahhhh....now you are talking about something I can grasp.