Japanese Digicam Makers Agree To Advertise Only The Number of 'Effective Pixels'

Excerpt from "The resolution trio" by Arthur H. Bleich (8/21/01)

Camera resolution is a huge part of the decision-making process when you're buying this equipment. Now, prepare to change how you measure that resolution. Starting next month, the Japan Camera Industry Association (JCIA) is being a little more honest with what cameras can do. JCIA members, including most of the leading digital-camera manufacturers, will advertise only the number of "effective" pixels that their digicams capture. Some 10 to 20 percent of the total number of pixels on a CCD perform color calibration and image processing functions and will, therefore, be excluded from the final count. Although the lower numbers may make the average digital camera appear slightly less powerful on the store shelf, ultimately, you'll get a more accurate gauge of what you get for your money. But none of this megapixel discussion adds up to much unless you have a solid grasp of the realities of image resolution.

Yes, it's true that higher-resolution digicams have the pixel power to produce bigger, better-looking images. But once you purchase such a camera, understanding the concepts of image resolution and printer resolution become equally important; in the end, they determine the quality of your prints.

To read Art's entire article on resolution click HERE.