Understanding Camera Resolution

To avoid unreal expectations, it is important to understand the impact of camera resolution on the quality of product images. This is necessary to understand hosting and data transfer volumes, as well as simply understanding what different resolutions can achieve. 

For example, many times a lower resolution camera will be perfectly sufficient for photographing items. In fact, there is sometimes very little visible difference when comparing the performance of 24 MPx versus 50.6 MPx cameras. However, some items might still call for additional close-up zooms and detailed shots to capture extremely small details.

The following information aims to help clarify camera resolution, from megapixels to lens selection for PhotoRobot customers. Note: For information on choosing an appropriate camera to use with PhotoRobot, refer to PhotoRobot Compatible Cameras.

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Effect of Megapixels on Resolution

For demonstration, take the following test using two different cameras: a 24 MPx camera, and a 50.6 MPx camera. The test compares the Canon R8 with the Canon 5DSR to demonstrate how there is minimal visible difference in performance.

First, observe the image quality when using the 24 MPx Canon R8 to capture a 360 spin:

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Next, compare the image quality when using the 50.6 MPx Canon 5DSR to produce the same output:

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• ‍Note: Any difference in resolution between the two spins above will not be immediately visible in the default web view. This is because the spin is configured to fill only the defined viewport frame. Within that context, the depth of zoom and resolution is of little factor.
• To notice a visible difference, it is helpful to first stop the rotation of the two different spins at the same angle. Click and drag the mouse over the image to find the angle, and then double-click the image to activate maximum zoom. At that point, the difference in the two image resolutions becomes more visible.

However, notice that there remains difficult to observe much difference in quality, even if viewing the images on a large 8K monitor. For this reason, it is often easier to inspect the quality by zooming into images on a mobile phone. Take the following screenshots presenting the maximum depth of zoom when viewing the above images using an iPhone 16 Pro.

The 50.6 MPx image (left) and the 24 MPx image (right) are only slightly blurry at full zoom when inspecting on mobile. There is also a noticeable difference in zoom from the 50.6 MPx 5DSR, which focuses closer in on the item:

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In comparison, there is only a very slight visible difference in quality between the two images. This only becomes visible at full zoom on mobile, but is otherwise very difficult to spot. Also note how the resolution is hardly much better from the higher resolution camera. 

The photos were captured from a distance of approximately 8 meters from the backdrop. Meanwhile, the space between the camera and the bike was 5.6 meters. There was a zoom lens covering 24mm to 105mm in use, with image capture at 77mm at F16 and speed 1/125.

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Full-Frame Versus APS-C Sensors

Camera sensor size affects mostly the angle of view, the “crop factor”, performance in different lighting conditions, dynamic range, and depth of field. In product photography, full-frame sensors have better low-light performance, and often greater dynamic range than APS-C sensors. The larger sensor allows for capturing a wider field of view, resulting in more pixels and cleaner images. They also outperform APS-C sensors when handling image noise, especially at high ISO settings.

On the other hand, APS-C sensors are not often useful in product photography. This is due to the shallower depth of field of the APS-C sensor, which technically crops the image. For example, when using a full-frame sensor at 50mm, there is an effect of approximately 70mm. With APS-C sensors, the shallower depth of field requires using a higher F number, and also stronger lights. That, or using a 35mm lens in order to achieve the effect of a 50mm lens.

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The APS-C sensor captures less of the scene, reducing the count of usable pixels for the final image and resulting in a smaller image area. Although the difference in quality can be minimal if using optimal studio lighting, the APS-C sensor simply does not perform as well as wider sensors. There are too many configuration concerns with APS-C sensors, as well as strong lighting requirements, and lower zoom capabilities. This is true even if comparing the different sensors when using higher MPx camera models.

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Capturing Extremely Fine Details

If trying to capture extremely fine details, in many cases additional close-up and detailed shots might be necessary. For example, a scratch the width of a human hair may be clearly visible in a high-resolution photo of a mobile phone. However, the same scratch on an Airbus A380 or even a bicycle would be impossible to capture from a distance.

In the end, it depends on the ratio between the size of the detail and the size of the object. This is even if there were a camera with resolution far beyond what today’s best models can offer. Instead, close-up shots are sometimes necessary to capture the fine details, which are then presentable as hotspot zooms.

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A hotspot zoom takes a close-up shot and makes it a clickable area that zooms into product photos and 360 spins. They allow for showcasing extremely small details, including macro and handheld shots. This allows for using a lower resolution camera to capture images, and for capturing well-positioned hotpots to display the details.

Although, if photographing smaller products like a backpack, it can be beneficial to use a higher resolution camera. While a lower resolution is often sufficient, the higher resolution is potentially able to capture greater detail from a distance. The same would be true for example with capturing a mobile phone, including any of its imperfections and micro details.

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• ‍Note: Again, it would be difficult to immediately notice any flaw in resolution in the above image in its default web view. This is due to the configuration of the spin to only fill the defined viewport frame. To better judge the quality of the image, first stop the spin and double-click to zoom in at maximum depth. At that point, the quality of resolution becomes visible.