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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> What are your largest high-quality print sizes?
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 07/28/2005 05:47:48 PM · #1
I've been looking at Canon and Nikon DSLRs and have noticed that the Canon counterparts tend to have more megapixels (usually 8 compared to 6). I know that the MP rating isn't the only thing that determines image quality, so I was wondering what is the largest size print you DSLR users have had made that is still of the highest quality. Don't forget to include what camera you used.

Also, if you would like to include why you chose your DSLR over the competitor's, that would be useful.

Thanks!
 07/28/2005 06:00:41 PM · #2
Pentax *IST DS so far the highest that I have gone is a 8 X 10 with outstanding results. I know its not Canon or Nikon but I thought I would share.
 07/28/2005 06:03:49 PM · #3
I had DPCPrints do a 20"x30" print of this photo:



Amazing quality, could probably have something twice that size printed with no loss in quality.
 07/28/2005 06:04:45 PM · #4
I can get 20x30 with amazing quality. You could never tell it wasn't a film print.
 07/28/2005 06:04:46 PM · #5
Originally posted by internerd2k:
Pentax *IST DS so far the highest that I have gone is a 8 X 10 with outstanding results. I know its not Canon or Nikon but I thought I would share.


Canon and Nikon have merely been what I have started looking at. They receive most of the attention so I started there first. I would like to hear about any DSLR.
 07/28/2005 06:06:17 PM · #6
Using a Sony DSC F828 with 8mp I have printed 20"x30" without any problems. Excellent results.

Judi
 07/28/2005 06:07:16 PM · #7
Originally posted by jpeters:
Originally posted by internerd2k:
Pentax *IST DS so far the highest that I have gone is a 8 X 10 with outstanding results. I know its not Canon or Nikon but I thought I would share.


Canon and Nikon have merely been what I have started looking at. They receive most of the attention so I started there first. I would like to hear about any DSLR.


Well if truth be told, Nikon and Canon are the 2 dominant companies in the world of DSLR's, the other DSLR makers don't even come close.
 07/28/2005 06:13:38 PM · #8
One day I will have the Canon EOS-1D Mark II. However, my father had a lot of old pentax lenses that I thought I could use and would not have to go out and spend money on glass. I do agree that Canon and Nikon are some of the best cameras out there.
 07/28/2005 06:13:43 PM · #9
20x30 at dpcprints
07/28/2005 06:14:20 PM · #10
i think there's some process called like interpolation or something that they do to make large prints.
 07/28/2005 06:20:49 PM · #11
I have done 20x30's with both my D70 and the Nikon 5700
 07/28/2005 06:44:57 PM · #12
OK, so it looks like I won't have any trouble getting huge prints from Canons, but what about Nikons? I have done 11x14's (and according to Nikon I can do 20x30's) with my 8MP Coolpix, but what about the 6.1-6.4MP D50-D70-D70s-D100? I assume that by being better all around cameras they should be able to throw up some large, high quality prints, even with the lower megapixels.
 07/28/2005 07:46:18 PM · #13
Originally posted by jpeters:
OK, so it looks like I won't have any trouble getting huge prints from Canons, but what about Nikons? I have done 11x14's (and according to Nikon I can do 20x30's) with my 8MP Coolpix, but what about the 6.1-6.4MP D50-D70-D70s-D100? I assume that by being better all around cameras they should be able to throw up some large, high quality prints, even with the lower megapixels.


Theoretically you're right. It's not all about pixel count, but also, and probably more important, pixel qualaty. Because of they're small sensor even the top prosumer have more noise and less per pixer sharpness and detail that DSLR, even if they have more pixels. But an 8mp only differs about 20% more pixels than 6mp, because it is an arithmetic scale. To duplicate the image size you will need 4 times more pixels, witch means to double the image size of 6mp you will need 24 mp. Imagine a tiff image out of it...
The imaze size is all about image qualaty in the first place, not pixels, and this means that shooting in raw and not loosing any qualaty on the compression gives you more qualaty, and better images for bigger prints.

But this is all theoretically, and a lot of factors can influence the process...
 07/28/2005 07:58:09 PM · #14
If you are printing a 16x20 or 20x30 print, it is presumably intended to be viewed from 2-3 feet away. I have made prints that "work" under those conditions from my 2MP Olympus; you whiners with 6-8MP cameras are starting to get on my nerves (just kidding folks).

If you start with a decent capture and apply suitable post-processing, those cameras should yield large prints of good-to-outstanding quality with no problem. Basically, 150 dpi at final print size should give you a fine result, more than that will be better, but not necessarily at the expense of degrading the pixel quality through resampling in software.

Message edited by author 2005-07-28 19:58:50.
 07/28/2005 08:26:04 PM · #15
I have a 16 x 24 from a rebel which is pretty nice... still waiting to be framed though. It was 125dpi iirc, and it looks fine.
 07/28/2005 08:37:45 PM · #16
24x36 @ 150dpi BW image
//www.deviantart.com/print/117192/


Looks fine for me.. but you have a bit more allowance with the BW images, grain is ok for most BW.

Canon 20D 8.2mp dSLR - Raw imported @ 16bit via Photoshop.


07/28/2005 09:13:05 PM · #17
i dont make that many prints but ive printed 10x15 from my d70 that looked a good deal better than a 35 mm print made in from the same processor (i worked in a lab) and i saw 20x30's done with rebels and d70's that looked pretty good. i mean if you look up close youll notice some quality loss but from like 2-3 feet away its great.
 07/28/2005 09:44:10 PM · #18
A 4 mp nikon d2h will print a better 20x30 than a 7 mp canon powershot sd500. It's not all about megapixels -- get that out of your head now. When comparing 4 and 6 and 8...it's all the same as far as that goes.
 07/28/2005 10:15:53 PM · #19
Originally posted by deapee:
A 4 mp nikon d2h will print a better 20x30 than a 7 mp canon powershot sd500. It's not all about megapixels -- get that out of your head now. When comparing 4 and 6 and 8...it's all the same as far as that goes.


Oh yeah, I know it's not all about megapixels (which, by the way, was like finding out there was no Santa- because that is what the general public is taught to believe). I guess I just want to check that the Nikon and Canon cameras that are comparably priced are also comparably equipped (although of course, everyone will have their preference).

The only way to really know the image quality of a camera is to test it and compare those results. Which all of you have done and so graciously shared. Thank you.

Message edited by author 2005-07-28 22:22:45.
 07/29/2005 11:41:28 PM · #20
I've printed an 8x10" with my 3.2MP camera (Canon Powershot SD100)
I've printed a 12x18" with my 6.3MP camera (Canon Digital Rebel)
And I've had a 20x30" print on 35mm film (ISO100). All 3 of them could have easily been larger... save the 35mm... it was a bit grainy for my tastes..
 07/30/2005 09:20:01 AM · #21
Can't remember where I saw it, but a fellow was printing out 5 foot by 7 foot photos from a 3 MP. Looked good in the photos. Definitey a "how far away is it to be viewed" issue. You don't see many people standing 6 inches away from a 20x30" presentation anyway. (unless they are a photographer). (C:
I think someon here on DPC did some very large photos in the same manner.
 07/30/2005 09:26:18 AM · #22


16X20 from DPC Prints. Looks real good.
 07/30/2005 09:27:21 AM · #23
The more pixels, the better print. (Of course depends a lot on the photo itself, and noise levels.)
 07/30/2005 09:27:30 AM · #24
24x36 of this at Shutterfly (before I belonged to DPC Prints):



Framed it (professionally, boy was that expensive!), and it's in my dining room!

I see now Shutterfly has canvas prints! Anyone try that?
 07/30/2005 09:29:41 AM · #25
I've never tried canvas but I am really tempted with a couple of images! :) It's too expensive for me though.
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