12 Megapixel compact camera get better picture than 7.1?

Question

I have Cannon SD800 IS 7.1 MegaPixel Camera and thinking of getting a 12 MegaPixel Cannon SD 950 IS.

I went to an art museum recently and took pictures of exhibits. My SD 800 did a good job but would a SD 950 do better and give sharper image on my computer or digital frame?

Some of the pictures I took with SD 800 came out a little blurry. Maybe my technique ( I was in a hurry and took a lot of pictures). I used the highest resolution of course.

Shoud I spend $350 and get the SD 950?

I only want compact camera.

Answer 1

If the price doesn't matter to you, get the SD950-IS.  I own this camera.  I have recommended the SD850-IS to a few people and the SD700-IS before that.  I've handled most of the cameras that my friends bought and done image comparisons.  The SD950-IS is definitely "sharper" with better image quality.  It's not the megapixels so much as the much larger sensor that makes the difference.

This is from one generation ago (SD900 vs. SD700), but you get the idea:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstei...

My SD950-IS samples: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstei...

Answer 2

I also have an SD950IS. I find it to be a very good camera. It's a little larger, and heavier than many other P&S cameras, but yet small enough to slip into a shirt pocket or purse. The image quality on the SD950IS is excellent. It works very well in low light conditions. I highly recommend it.

There is also one other Canon P&S that came out not long ago, and that is the SD890IS. I would give that camera a try as well. But either way, try before you buy. In my opinion, the best way to do this is to bring an SD card with you, and go to a 'real' camera shop where the cameras are all located behind showcase glass. Thus, you will be able to insert the memory card and use the camera to take a few sample images. After that, you can take your card back home and see what the images look like both on your computer, as well as in your digital frame...Stores such as WalMart, Best Buy, Circuit City, or Target all have security devices attached to the bottom of the cameras. This makes it impossible to access the bottom of the camera to insert your memory card.You will have to go to a true camera store to find, and try out the SD950IS because I have never seen it before in most other stores. On the other hand, my local WalMart has the SD890IS in stock, but then, there is the security device issue once again.

Read up on both here:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_revi...

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_revi...

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/SD...

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/SD...

BTW, the SD950 is selling for $319 right now on Amazon.com and the SD890 is going for $299. The prices at B&H Photo were slightly higher for the SD950 ($340), but were the same for the SD890.

Answer 3

The above posters have addressed possible cameras so I'll address your question:

The extra megapixels of the SD 950 IS won't do anything for your digital frame or your computer - 7.1 is just fine. As said, before, it will make a difference for large prints. On top of this, the 12 megapixels may actually HURT picture quality. Why? Well as you increase the number of pixels you need to shrink them to fit them on the camera sensor. Smaller pixels increases the noise you'll see in your pictures.

The reason you're getting blurry photos is because point-and-shoot cameras don't perform very well in low-light situations (aka a museum). In order to counter this you should make sure your camera has its image stabilization enabled (the SD800 does have it). Also, if possible you should use a tripod. You may not want to carry around a large tripod but you could invest $30 in a high quality pocket one.

To sum it up: you're not going to see an appreciable difference with the SD 950. Save your money.

Answer 4

The answer to your question lies in what you intend to do with your photos. How big do you intend to enlarge them? If you never intend to do anything but view them on a screen or maybe print full frame pictures to say 8x10s your 7.1 cam is just fine. If you intend on a lot of photo manipulation, cutting and pasting, etc, or larger size prints, than do the 12 meg. Remember the human eye can only resolve an image to something akin to a 3 or 4 meg image. So anything more than that is waste unless you need the extra for enlargement or manipulation.