Does Size Matter? - Megapixels - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/27/2004 03:57:54 PM · #1

I have seen many forum posts wondering if the number of megapixels matters in scoring. So with time on my hands I decided to see. More fun with Math.

In the chart below, there is a weak correlation between megapixels and average scores. It would seem to suggest that the more megapixels your camera has, the better the scores are.

As I study the chart, it seems to be especially true as we move from 2 Megapixels to 4, but then flattens out somewhat. And clearly there are some lower megapixel cameras that score substantially better than higher ones.

What's really going on? I suspect that the best correlation is between the capability of photographers and scores (Doh!). Better photographers will tend to select cameras with better sensor technology, better optics, more megapixels and will be willing to spend more in pursuit of their photography. What do you think? ... besides that I have too much time on my hands?

Here are a couple of other graphs I found interesting relating the number of camera owners and the number of challenge submissions to Average Scores.

With Love and Affection -- The Math Guy

PS. If you want the data and methodology, send me a PM with your private email address and I'll email you the Excel spreadsheet.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

11/27/2004 04:26:33 PM · #2

Your graphs are very interesting. I do similar graphs on each of my challenge to see how the vote trend goes; just because I like math and like you too much time on my hands.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

11/27/2004 04:34:43 PM · #3

A better camera can make a huge difference as seen in your chart, but not always. My average is 5.8271 with a 3.7MP Oly E-10, and much of the improvements have come from knowing PS better and familiarity with the camera itself and what it can/can't do.
Give me a newer camera I haven't used for a couple years and I'll bomb big time.

Message edited by author 2004-11-27 16:42:58.

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/27/2004 04:41:55 PM · #4

Can you do graphic charts like that w/out Excel?

Would like to see this one with the Sony F717 or 828 included......if you have any more spare time on your hands

sue.....(I don't do maths!!!!LOL)

edited cos it looks like I don't do thumbnails either this morning!!! forgot to include the thumbnail!

Message edited by author 2004-11-27 16:43:54.

Geocide

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

11/27/2004 04:47:45 PM · #5

Yeah, i think i agree with your conclusion. People who are more serious about the craft/art will spend more, meanwhile the occasional weekend photographer has other priorities.

I doubt we'll see any out of focus and too dark photos from $3,000 dSLR cams.

JCDean

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/27/2004 04:48:59 PM · #6

Hmmn, Now I want a 22MP back. Maybe this proof will persuade my wife?;)

nova

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

11/27/2004 04:57:56 PM · #7

Originally posted by BradP:

Give me a newer camera I haven't used for a couple years and I'll bomb big time.

You don't know how much of a comfort that is,, BradP, after bombing so with my 20D after taking photography up as a hobby after a (for the most part) two decade layoff! I've only scratched the surface of PS Elements, and hope soon to be promoted to "hack".

Originally posted by Geocide:

I doubt we'll see any out of focus and too dark photos from $3,000 dSLR cams.

Yeah, not TOO many :) (but I'm slowly improving).

pcody

Canon PowerShot G6

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

11/27/2004 05:13:16 PM · #8

I think another factor would be some people moving up from a ps camera to a more advanced dslr. They might have had many entries that didn't score well, but continued with their learning, and then, when they had more experience, they moved up to a dslr.
I think it would be interesting to do a graph showing people that started with a p/s, have over 100 entries and moved on to a dslr compared to peolple that started with dslrs and people that use p/s. But, I'm not a math person, so I would never attempt such a comparison.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/28/2004 12:38:08 AM · #9

Originally posted by pcody:

Doable, but not with data generally available on the website ... at least not without days and days of effort.

[LOL] Maybe you all ought to lobby the Admins and Site Council to make us the royal statistician of DPC. Get us access to the raw data. We (that's the royal we, btw) could become the Archduke of Arithmetic, the Magi of Math, the Samerai of Statistics! [/LOL]

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

11/28/2004 12:48:19 AM · #10

Originally posted by Digital Quixote:

[LOL] Maybe you all ought to lobby the Admins and Site Council to make us the royal statistician of DPC. Get us access to the raw data. We (that's the royal we, btw) could become the Archduke of Arithmetic, the Magi of Math, the Samerai of Statistics! [/LOL]

Be careful what you ask for!

As the Boolean Baron, the Sultan of Sums, the Potentate of Proportions, Count of Calculus and Earl of Excel, your sevices will be in virtually constant demand by the multiplication-challenged multitudes. Better sharpen your abacus : )

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/28/2004 12:51:44 AM · #11

Originally posted by GeneralE:

... As the Boolean Baron, the Sultan of Sums, the Potentate of Proportions, Count of Calculus and Earl of Excel, your sevices will be in virtually constant demand by the multiplication-challenged multitudes. Better sharpen your abacus : )

Sharpen my abacus?!?!!! Holy Low Tech, Batman, there's still time to reshoot the Invitational!!

Neuferland

Google Pixel 2

11/28/2004 12:57:59 AM · #12

You have too much time on your hands, LOL :)

Just kidding, interesting thread.

Deannda

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

11/28/2004 01:13:31 AM · #13

Originally posted by Digital Quixote:

Originally posted by GeneralE:
... As the Boolean Baron, the Sultan of Sums, the Potentate of Proportions, Count of Calculus and Earl of Excel, your sevices will be in virtually constant demand by the multiplication-challenged multitudes. Better sharpen your abacus : )

Sharpen my abacus?!?!!! Holy Low Tech, Batman, there's still time to reshoot the Invitational!!

Low-tech perhaps, but not necessarily obsolete : )
My co-worker has a small one capable of displaying the US National Debt.
Bean Counters

jonr

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Olympus 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 M.Zuiko Digital ED

11/28/2004 04:49:42 AM · #14

I would like to know what camera scores even 6 on that graph. :)

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

11/28/2004 04:55:57 AM · #15

Originally posted by Geocide:

I can show you plenty :)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/28/2004 10:58:34 AM · #16

Originally posted by jonr:

I would like to know what camera scores even 6 on that graph. :)

Cannon EOS-1D Mark II (Average of 135 photos submitted by 54 owners)

Prof_Fate

11/28/2004 01:28:20 PM · #17

While artistic eye has no age or income boundaries, one will find more serious folks spend more time and money on their hobby than the casual person.
If i took 1000 pics a week i'd be better. I could also justify (to my self and the wife) spending $2000 or more an a dSLR and lens(es).

So statistically I'd score better than the sub 18 year olds on here with $300 cameras.

Do you have the data to correlate time on this site or total entries with score or score improvement? In theory, folks with many submissions or long time members should have higher scores than new folks or those that have submitted to few challenges.

not that my scores have improved over the past 10 months!

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/28/2004 02:36:15 PM · #18

Does size matter? Well, of course it does!

Oh, wait a minute... megapixels? I thought you were talking about something else. :)