Camera Resolution

I used to have the old stand alone Canon and Fuji digital cameras. They took 3 Megapixel (MP) pictures. That's the size of the picture file if you don't understand. If you wanted to print one out it would be at least the size of an 5X7 at 300 DPI (the suggested dots per inch for printing a picture).

Cheap cell phones have now gone to at least 5 MP.

I did a shop today where the Samsung A13's main camera now takes 50 MP pictures.

Now I understand the higher the resolution (think higher MP and larger file size), you can then crop the picture and get and un-blurry vision of what you want.

I know about digital zoom being an algorithm and not a true zoom. My old cameras used to have an actual zoom lens where the lens extended from the camera upon zooming. I've seen advertisements for such mechanical zoom devices you could attach to cell cameras for a true optical vs. a algorithmic zoom.

But is there an upper limit to how high the resolution of these cell phone cameras can go to be actually functional? Or is it just a marketing thing?

I don't think anyone would print out a 50 MP picture. Doing a Google search it means the print at 300 DPI would be 20X30 inches.

Thoughts?

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You are on the right track. The usefulness of having a higher resolution camera is limited by how you view the picture. If you look at it on a computer or phone screen, the resolution is reduced to fit the screen resolution. If you print it, the resolution is reduced to the printer's resolution. The 50 MP camera might be great for taking pictures for making posters, or for actual photographic prints.
With the 12 MP camera in my 2 year old iPhone 12, I can take a photo of a gas station from across the street and zoom in to check the security tape and decals on the pumps. It sure comes in handy. I’m very interested in what a 50 MP can do. (Maybe I can get my bathroom photos from across the street too, lololol.)
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