Introduction
You’ve probably noticed that the larger you print a photo, the more it can start to look “blocky”, or pixilated. Discover why this happens and how megapixels affect the quality of your prints. You’ll also find a helpful chart detailing the best sizes to print your photos, depending on the megapixel setting of your camera.
What is a megapixel and how does it affect print size?
If you try to enlarge a photo that was not taken with a high MP setting, your print may turn out “blocky” or pixilated.
A pixel is the smallest element of a digital image. A megapixel is equal to one million pixels. The more pixels per square inch of an image, the higher the resolution, or quality, of that image.
- The size of photo you can print is dependent on the MP (megapixel) setting on your camera (some cameras refer to the megapixel setting as the "resolution" or “image quality” setting).
- The larger you want to print your photo—without getting that "blocky", pixilated look—the higher the MP setting on your camera needs to be.
- See the chart below to find out what MP setting your camera should be at in order to print a certain size of photo.
How many megapixels do I need for certain print sizes?
Use this chart to discover the largest, high-quality, print sizes you can make with various MP settings using your digital camera*.
| MP (megapixel) setting: | Will give you GOOD quality prints at: | Will give you BETTER quality prints at: | Will give you BEST quality prints at: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 MP | 5" x 7" | 4" x 6" | Wallet |
| 2 MP | 8" x 10" | 5" x 7" | 4" x 6" |
| 3 MP | 8" x 10" | 8" x 10" | 5" x 7" |
| 4 MP | 11" x 14" | 8" x 10" | 5" x 7" |
| 5 MP | 11" x 14" | 11" x 14" | 5" x 7" |
| 6-7 MP | 16" x 20" | 11" x 14" | 8" x 10" |
| 8 MP | 17" x 22" | 16" x 20" | 8" x 10" |
| 10 MP | 20" x 30" | 17" x 22" | 11" x 14" |
Find tips and step-by-step instructions to print a variety of photo sizes, including many of the sizes shown above, such as wallet-size, 4" x 6" and 5" x 7", and 8" x 10".
*Consult your camera's manual for specific directions to set MP levels.
Find the MP setting that a photo was taken with
One way to find a photo’s dimensions is to check the Properties box, as show here in Windows Live Photo Gallery via the File menu.
The chart above helps you determine print sizes based on your camera’s MP setting when you took the picture. But, what if you don’t know the MP setting that a photo was taken with?
You can determine a photo’s megapixels (and therefore the megapixel setting that it was taken with) by multiplying the dimensions and dividing that number by one million.
For example, if a photo has the dimensions 3266 x 2450, you would multiply 3266 by 2450, which equals 8,001,700. Next, you would divide that number by one million (one megapixel equals one million pixels), giving you 8.0017, or eight—eight was the MP setting!
To find a photo’s dimensions, right-click on it, scroll over it with your mouse, or check the Properties box in your particular photo management software.
Adjust the MP setting on your digital camera
The HP CB350 Digital Camera offers a 12.2 megapixel resolution, plus a large, 2.7" screen, automatic smile detection, and automatic red-eye removal.
Now that you know the megapixels required for specific print sizes, learn how to adjust your megapixel setting (sometimes referred to as a resolution setting) on your digital camera.
The following instructions are for the HP CB350 Digital Camera:
- Press the FUNC button (the button to the right of the Menu button).
- There will be a menu on the right side on the screen. Use the down arrow to scroll to the second icon in the menu (indicated by a 12M).
- Use the right and left buttons (next to the up and down arrows) to scroll and choose your megapixel setting (3M, 5M, 12M, etc.) from the options at the bottom of the screen.
- Press the SET button to save your changes.
Will taking high-resolution photos fill up my memory card?
The higher the resolution of a photo you take (the more megapixels it contains), the more memory it will take up on your camera.
The guide below can help you plan how much memory you’ll need to have on hand when shooting at your camera’s highest resolution, or MP setting. Camera and memory card capacities seem to be growing all the time, so use this information as a starting point to estimate your needs.
| Camera megapixels | # of images on a 128MB memory card | # of images on a 256MB memory card | # of images on a 512MB memory card | # of images on a 1GB memory card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 MP | 91–100 | 171-189 | 362-400 | 724-800 |
| 5 MP | 70-78 | 141-157 | 283-313 | 565-625 |
| 6 MP | 57-63 | 113-125 | 226-250 | 452-500 |
| 8 MP | 38-42 | 75-83 | 151-167 | 301-333 |
Tips to ensure high-quality photo prints
The best time to think about your camera’s megapixel setting is before you shoot, so you can make sure you are using a MP setting that is high enough for the size of print you want to produce later.
Think ahead: Think about your intentions for your photos before you shoot them, so you can make sure you are using a MP setting that is high enough for the size of print you want to produce later.
Set your MP high: It's a good idea to have your camera set at a much higher MP setting than you initially think you need. That way, you can crop and enlarge any photo without a loss of quality.
Use the right print setting: For most photos, “Best” is the print quality setting that will ensure long-lasting, lab-quality prints. However, for wallet-size prints, the “Normal” setting is usually sufficient. Refer to your printer's manual to learn how to change print quality settings.
Find the best photo printer for your needs
HP e-All-in-Ones include features and capabilities that help make photo printing easier than ever. The versatile Photosmart e-All-in-Ones below offer the mobile printing technology HP ePrint, plus HP Print Apps for access to select online content. 1,2
HP Photosmart 6510
e-All-in-One Printer
$149.99
- Print, scan, copy
- Features a 3.5" touchscreen
- Memory card slots for easy photo printing
- Auto-engaging photo tray
HP Photosmart 7510
e-All-in-One Printer
$199.99
- Print, scan, copy, eFax3
- Features a 4.3" touchscreen
- Memory card slots for easy photo printing
- 25-page automatic document feeder
HP Officejet 7500A
Wide-Format e-All-in-One
$249.99
- Print, scan, copy, fax
- Features a 2.36" touchscreen
- Print in sizes ranging from 3" x 5" to 13" x 19"
- 25-page automatic document feeder
Visit the HP Photosmart printer buying guides to see the entire selection of HP Photosmart e-All-in-Ones.
Learn more
- If you don’t feel like printing your photos yourself, consider using the online photo printing and sharing site, Snapfish—they’ll even tell you which print sizes will give you the best results for each of your photos.
- Find tips, detailed instructions, and inspiration to help you print better photos.
- 1Requires an Internet connection to the printer. Feature works with any connected Internet- and email-capable device. Print times may vary. For a list of supported documents and image types, see www.hp.com/go/ePrintCenter. And for additional solutions, see www.hp.com/go/mobile-printing-solutions.
- 2Requires a wireless access point and an Internet connection to the printer. Services may require registration. App availability varies by country, language and agreements. For details, www.hp.com/go/ePrintCenter.
- 3Web-based fax service requires an Internet connection to the printer and registration with third-party service. Up to 20 inbound and 20 outbound pages a month. Additional terms and restrictions apply; see http://www.hp.com/support.