Is The A7S3 Good Enough For Photography? Printing LARGE at 12MP

[@BeckiandChris]

We’re back! We’ve been busy working on another large project coming later this month, and that project gave us a great excuse to finally print some of our own images to hang in the house. Have you considered printing your work?

[@daniellewatches]

This video-- plus the one you did of your photobooks-- is really inspiring me to do more with my photos and actually print them! Love this content (also v v v excited for what I think is the upcoming project?! 👀)

[@BeckiandChris]

@@daniellewatches it feels so good to print your own work!! The books are such great keepsakes and fun to pull out and browse through!

[@homesmedia]

I have printed my photos & it really feels good to see it & feel it for real, there is something about it. Also is that a new part of the house your hanging those photos up in?

[@BeckiandChris]

@@homesmedia it really does! It’s our living room!

[@bigshooter461]

Nice to see you guys back!

[@JakeFrew]

Oh man, having the technical info all culminate to a message of the importance of story was brilliant. Thanks so much for this beautiful reminder 🙏

[@KoteGreen]

My thoughts exactly :) great message

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Such a good reminder to focus on the art and moment over and the technicals!

[@BeckiandChris]

So easy to get lost in it especially with all the amazing gear available these days!

[@AmritaBhortake]

Spot on with this video, Becki. My favorite photo that I have ever taken was on my old Nikon D5100 with a 16.2-megapixel sensor almost 10 years ago. I had taken a shot of a moving cab in New York and it is such a poignant moment for me because it reminds me of the beautiful city and the time I have spent there. I have never thought if the resolution was good enough because the moment was priceless. Also, for anyone wondering, I have printed it on a huge 30x40 canvas without any issues.

[@BeckiandChris]

LOVE this!

[@tombuck]

What an awesome print! For Xmas my mom wanted a photo of my wife and I with our dogs, but timing a perfect dog photo is impossible. So we just had the a7SIII record 4K and then selected the one frame where we were all actually looking in the right direction. Got it printed on a large canvas and it looks awesome 👍

[@jaymills1720]

Wow I’d love to do that! What’s the process or any good links? I’m going to get the zve1 and would love to take frames and print 8x10 or larger.

[@robertnelson3179]

It’s about the memories not about the technical details. Very true as I have been learning. Thanks.

[@photobatya]

I have shot sport event with a7s3 and I love it! 7500 photos in 128gb. Low rolling shutter on electronic shutter, small photos for editing. My top 1 camera now

[@fynnbadgley]

When people forget the OG 5D mark I was 12 megapixels and used for a TON of professional photography work - also when you realize billboards don’t need a lot of resolution so it CAN do the trick. Definitely a solid point on cropping though

[@fideliusconcrete4871]

I'm new here, never heard of Becki and Chris. But what this lady says is very important because she is absolutely right. When I started as a photographer, we bought, as soon as we could somehow afford one, a Hasselblad. The problem was, you needed three of those: One for shooting, one at repair and one on the way to repair. But then we discovered the Nikon cameras and lenses. For big prints and shooting architecture, we only used Sinar cameras, those were the best of the best. Everything was very heavy, we needed for every job at least one assistant in order to help us schlepping all the gear. Now Ive been using the camera and lens shown here for quite some time, and I'm perfectly happy with it. Thank you for your words, madam, they are very appreciated!

[@gregmonforton4103]

On the video side, the "aha" math for me was that 1920x1080 is approximately (just over) 2 megapixels. So except for any cropping in (for image stabilization for example) the rest are not used. 4k is less than 9 megapixels.

[@christopherchristofi6086]

Omg you are bang on , you have taken so much weight off my shoulders about thinking what camera I should get as a beginner and going from pillar to post with all the so called professionals, thank you , I will be changing the way I think

[@stephenjuk8910]

Great video! I still use a 1ds ii for pro jobs and the clients do not know that the images are from a 18 year old camera. I think it has 17MP and in good light it is amazing.

[@likelycrew]

We're still rockin' our A7s II as well! Great reminder to capture the shot with whatever ya got.

[@KNURKonesur]

High five! I'm going to comfortably stay with my A7 II until used medium format becomes more affordable.

[@kayseacamp]

As someone who actually loves the tone and mood you get with lower pixel cameras I’m still rocking my Nikon D90 the was a high school graduation present. Not everything has to be about spec chasing and that’s what makes photography so beautiful. You can shoot exactly how YOU wish to shoot.

[@ckhicks]

“A moment in time, captured.” Ugh, this hit me right in the feels. Thanks for the great mix between needing out and remembering why we do this in the first place!

[@JebbAdams]

And I'm back too! And am I ever glad you guys are here again! Thanks!

[@belindajcaruso]

I think that is the whle point of photography. What it makes you feel. It makes you feel different things at different times. I think photography is magic. Even when you look at an old granny photo of the past. It can evoke joy, sadness, longing, information & wonder the list can go on & on. I so want to buy a new camera. But I am going to learn to use the one I have a lot better, before I get another one. This video conforms my own thought process. Thanks I needed that.

[@greatpix]

Becki, are you aware of RIPs (raster image processors) used by pro printers, and how they can improve results from lower megapixel sensors? Another thing that can help when shooting in 12MP is software with a pre and post sharpener like the NIK/DXO software has, or software like RawTherapee which uses wavelets to sharpen RAW images. Wavelet technology has been used for astrophotography to great effect. Yet another tip to get sharper images is cleaning your optics with ROR (Residual Oil Remover Lens Cleaner). I did some tests and you can easily see improvements in details vs regular lens cleaners. Finally, depending on the subject and any movement between frames, is image stacking which is also used in astrophotography to lower noise and improve details. There's a bit more to that with the taking of 'Flats' and 'Dark' frames. I'm learning how to use those for my landscape photography.

[@KoelAnderson]

I’ve been using my A7Siii for low light / no-flash nightclub photography and the images look GREAT. Might have to try printing some now 👀!

[@Nattodayy]

A fun way to blow up a low res image is by scanning your print, and then reprinting the scan at a larger size. Pixels get interpreted as tiny blots.

[@aqmedia8000]

I actually had rented a Sony a7s3 with a 70-200 g master for a music festival and man that was such a good combo. I shot hybrid and for the most part the photos were pretty amazing especially at low light. I shot at 12,000 iso and you couldn’t even see hardly any grain. Photo and video camera I highly suggest!!!

[@themoody1337]

Everything about this video (and your whole channel tbh) is so on point. Content, interesting and high quality visuals + great and simple explanations - love it! :)

[@BeckiandChris]

Thank you so much!

[@mangobeard]

Being someone who just signed the papers for an a7s iii this Friday (three days ago) this video was a nice confirmation of a little concern. Thank you.

[@acmdv]

The thing is that even with a 12MP sensor you can use the machine-learning Super Resolution feature in Lightroom to turn it into a 48MP image.

[@KOKOBC]

So I can turn a 61mp or 50mp into a 244mp and 200mp?

[@KOKOBC]

Would be interesting if someone compares the upscaled 48mp image to the 50mp image on the A1

[@acmdv]

@@KOKOBC Yep.

[@acmdv]

@@KOKOBC It's not really the same thing as traditional upscaling because it uses Machine Learning (AI) so you see less obvious signs that the original image resolution was less. I would equate it to something similar to pixel shift technology but done on a computer instead of in camera though it's only a matter of time before machine learning starts to appear in cameras as it already does in smart phones.

[@angwk]

It is neat trick, but if you do not capture the details at the first place, no amount of supersampling technic is going to restore it

[@EnzoTavs]

One of the many reasons I purchased an A7S3 was your aptitude for these cameras. I guess what I am trying to say is, Thanks! Absolute goodness on this one, Becki

[@BeckiandChris]

thanks Sam! A7S3 is my favorite 😍

[@alonew]

Thanks for breaking down the Sony series, people always jumps into such technical details that I'm always feeling lost, n can't understand the conversation!

[@chris_sparrows]

I'm not a Sony shooter, so I've never understood their lineup. I really appreciate the breakdown. One of my all time favorite pictures I've captured is only one megapixel. Prints decent at letter size. A little softness and grain just adds character.

[@BeckiandChris]

Love that! I bet that would look great framed with a large matte too, always creative ways to make stuff display bigger even when it can’t physically be printed bigger.

[@chris_sparrows]

@@BeckiandChris Totally. It might be something I could enlarge some with the tools in Photoshop, but I've just never taken the time to experiment.

[@ohgurlplease]

I’m catching this video 4 months later and so glad I found it. I truly love you guy’s content. ✨ I have an A7III and never knew the difference between the different types of Sony cameras. Thanks Becki!

[@rboydphotography]

Love the Vid! thanks for addressing the topic. been a while since we had the version from Chris 👍

[@greasyflight6609]

I bought the A7S III a few months ago and have zero regrets. I am just a regular shooter who looks forward to both its photo and video capabilities....the low light strength of the camera is its calling card for me. Good lenses and patience make this beast shine. For those who want a more photo centric hybrid (higher pixel) the A7 IV looks good... though I have heard it has over heating issues shooting intense spec video.

[@davidstone408]

One of my favourite photographs is Phil Collins, taken at the Hollywood Bowl in 2007 at the end of the Genesis tour. Camera Canon Powershot S5 IS (8MP JPEG) - Over the next 10 days I will see the band perform twice, In Köln and London - Camera Sony RX100 VII (assuming I can get it past security) - hopefully I will get some great photos, of course would prefer to take the A7R4 but no chance to get that past security, without a backstage pass, and I do want to enjoy the event.

[@CHARLIES_ADVENTURE]

I’ve been feeling super unmotivated in my photography recently and this video really helped

[@bikesdotsandpeeps]

Super cool informational video, shots, home AND duo! Keep it up! - Chris in Miami, FL.

[@merriammerkabah408]

Just wanted to say that I love you guys and your videos

[@glemmeren]

I really like the grain these two photos you took have. Looks amazing.

[@Amateurprotographer]

You guys never miss! I'm always inspired by your content; one of my goals this year is to finally print some of my stuff!

[@BeckiandChris]

Thanks so much! Yes print some it’s so fun!

[@danieldougan269]

Thank you for making this video! It just goes to show you can do a lot with 12 megapixels. I love to photograph wildlife, and with that, you can never get close enough to your subject. I usually find myself cropping my telephoto shots a lot (even at a 600mm equivalent), and I don't think a camera like the a7S III would work out so well for that. But, for just about everything else, I think it's great.

[@garyhanson4133]

I so loved those prints. That Newfoundland journey was really epic.

[@AliAbbasi87]

100% this. And also the final bit of perspective in a video I've been wanting to make but didn't know how to position.

[@KatherineCrosbie]

Great explanation of the differences between the 3 lines!

[@jacobpriddle]

You too are so the same person with your little bouts of song it cracks me up everytime

[@BeckiandChris]

😂😂

[@cindyrosen8170]

Excellent episode! Love when you discuss photography!

[@silverwolf1620]

A photo is a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone

[@BarttRoman]

Loved the rant! I have a 24mp camera but only kit lenses so I kinda have the same "issue". It's not the sharpest, but it's about the memories.

[@wvanderspek]

this came at the right time, I am almost buying a A7SIII with 24-70GMII lens. But I will use it for video (almost only, ok maybe I will take some pictures now and then) but the main driver for me is the video quality. So yeah I believe also that the quality of the picture doesn't matter (as long as it is decent enough). The video focus is it for me for the A7SIII

[@brianmestdagh916]

Thanks Becki, honestly this was an excellent video!

[@BeckiandChris]

Thanks Brian!

[@brianmestdagh916]

@@BeckiandChris you guys have been a big inspiration to get into aviation…. Photography is already a big hobby, just need to find the funds for aviation ;)

[@meiermiri]

You are 100% right! Memories are far more important than resolution, why else would people cover their walls with the small insta pictures which aren't even sharp. We also have landscape pictures in our hallway, from our Canada trip back in 2012. I took those shots with my old 12MP Nikon, without any photography knowledge and to this day, I still love them. And it was probably the catalyst to pursue this as a hobby.

[@cortanathelawless1848]

I am purely a photographer but low light performance is incredibly important to me as i love going out at night sometimes under just moon light so im genuinely considering switching to it

[@DineshBhadwal]

What an excellent video with real examples. I remember buying my very first DSLR which only had 12 megapixels. Learnt and earned a lot on it.

[@MirabelleJien]

pretty gorge-ous photos!

[@LOVEthatRR]

Beat explanation of the Sony series I’ve ever seen, thank you 🙏🏽

[@timharrison3521]

Could not agree more. I’ve just had three photos printed, 1 from 17 years ago in New Orleans taken on a little canon point and shoot, 1 from 4 years ago taken on a 750d in Sri Lanka. The last from 3 years ago in Cuba taken on an I phone. Not once do I look at any of these images and think about the quality of the photo, just about how lucky are we to have been where we’ve been. 🙌🙌☕️

[@Paul_Greenwood]

Best explanation about which Sony camera does what ever 👍🏻 thank you 🙏🏻

[@JacobMedler]

I loved this so much! Becki, you are so talented and amazing at what you do. You guys are such an inspirational and I love the reminder of the importance of photography and philosophy behind it.

[@BeckiandChris]

Thank you Jacob!

[@M.A.D.C.J]

I love my SonyA7SIII, it’s been one of the best cameras I’ve ever used to this day, and I’ve used a lot of different cameras haha! I don’t mind the 12MP, the photos still come out great, espcially since most of the time mine are posted on social media, loved the video!

[@ikhwannurfarizi]

The story behind that one frame is far more important than technical stuff❤ thanks for reminding us that part on this fast tech world⚡

[@wakeywarrior]

I only look at my photos on screen and have been amazed at the quality of the photos out of the ZVE1 (same sensor).

[@DHShields]

Yaay welcome back you guuys! 🙌🤩

[@KOKOBC]

You forgot the Sony A9 line where they make sports cameras

[@JuanLopez-oz9kh]

My nikon D3 has been my only camera with two shutter replacement; it has over one millions actuation. The first shutter when out at about 750000 pictures. It cost me $350 to replace it.

[@Last222]

Good shiit Becki, thnx fa breakin it down💯

[@dattmatt]

My god, you guys just have the best freakin' style through and through. Love it! Also, totally love my a7siii, although I had my worries after coming from 24mp I don't miss it one bit so far! If I have to uprez there are some wicked applications that do incredible jobs anyhow!

[@rufaxjr]

thanks for the video, gave me alot of information

[@pie.lot.bliksem]

I am more to the left than the right. Even though I am right-handed. If had an opportunity to buy either one I would go for the one on the left though they are both not just images but fine-art. The clouds and tiny portions of water on those rocky terrain triggers the hidden emotion somehow. Thanks to Becki and Christ :)

[@BenjiSelby]

Much appreciated on the breakdown and the vibes where the prints are sits look bootyful!! 😬🤌

[@samuelleon884]

FANTASTIC VIDEO!!!

[@superalien4781]

i really like this video . very well thought ..about value and memories .

[@jmartinez2]

Great information! I’ve been saying this for years.

[@youngolf1]

Excellent teaching! Thanks. You know how to communicate

[@soundscape26]

Perfectly explained. Thanks Becki.

[@mlachin]

I actually love the grain in those photos. It wouldn't look as good with a color photo with clearer skies, but considering the weather and the harshness of the landscape, the grain works. Besides, a place like Poop Rock doesn't need to be memorialized with a clear hi-res image, does it?

[@BeckiandChris]

I do too! I think the grain works for these for sure, poop rock works best at a lower resolution (we don’t need to see all the details there 😂)

[@RaoulEnoiu]

The story and having the memory is much more important than the resolution like you said!

[@AaronMcFadden]

It’s all about the lens too

[@kurtisca]

Epic content, as always.

[@aarondonald8930]

Yes, yes, yes! Great Video, really enjoyed it, thank you!

[@RodieOsc]

Very informative! I mostly aim for video so this camera is perfect. I had the black magic camera that takes no photos n it worked so well with just stills

[@drewcain]

A few of the most sold through fine art prints in our catalog were shot on a 6MP Nikon D100. Using megapixels to determine the capability of a camera is like using tire size to determine how good your car is. A good photographer can make a printable image from most any camera these days -- and a poor photographer with a bank breaking kit and maxed out megapixels will still be disappointed at the end of a day of shooting (and will usually blame their gear). Make the most of the tools you have and stop valuing cameras by their MP count.

[@moodyfuck3965]

Wow. What a well executed § polished “random rant” video. Lol 😍🎥. Realistic|informative as well. Amazing.

[@T-Prime848]

Very important topic to talk about well I do have the A7 original and I love it for street photography Well I am planning on getting another Sony camera but I don’t know which one to choose…..??

[@translumination2002]

The canon 5D original was the first affordable full frame and people were concerned that the 12 MP was out resolving the lens. In regards to video we were shooting on miniDV tape not so long ago in standard definition in 4:3 and everybody was wishing for 16:9 chips and anamorphic lens! How things have changed.

[@Sushanttechworld]

Hey, can you make a video on how to use a7s3 in low light and no light situations, which picture profile to use and how to edit the footage in post.

[@Betound]

This is a great video. Thanks.

[@carlbolterstein]

Feel like there is too much focus on resolution and sometimes just have to use what you have. I Recently printed a 24mp image 60x40" on metal from a Canon 80D and unless you are staring at it way closer than you ever will - no one will really ever notice.

[@Ronbc000]

Nice work! 🎥 👍

[@DDHDTV]

I once took a screenshot of an instagram image on my phone, and then crop it to remove the Instagram borders. So the picture was what, 1 megapixel? I then took it to an online AI upscaling tool, could also use something like Topaz. I printed it in 50x70cm ( 20x30 inches). It looks great

[@GabrielBhappy]

Could not agree more! I would rather a fuzzy picture of an amazing memory than a sharp picture of something that mens nothing. Plus, if someone walks into my house and starts pixel peaking my art… I don’t want them there anyways 😂

[@MrEddieNunez]

I want to start printing my photos, but I have no clue if I should change my export settings and what paper to use, finish type, etc. great video

[@BeckiandChris]

If you are sending them to a printer I’d talk to them and see what theyrecommend (and if they have any ICC profiles you can install). When I had these done the printer showed me a bunch of different paper types, what you choose depends on where it’s hanging, and what kind of glass goes in front. If you do it yourself there are tools where you can calibrate your screen to match your printer perfectly! Takes some messing around but can be done (profile for each paper).

[@MrEddieNunez]

@@BeckiandChris thank you for the tips and suggestion. I’m going to try it with a smaller 8x10 first and see how it goes. I really appreciate the help 🙏

[@mohandass3442]

If the subject is close u can give big print which ever camera that is below iso 400 am I correct Madam

[@jpbeutin]

what about panorama stitching? IF (and thats a big if - i know) you already know you will make a big print you do make the panorama picture as lets say, 5 individual 12mp photos and stitch them together? right? another reason for being 12mp enough :)

[@ranggiarohmansani]

I remember people shot with D70 6MP Camera for some big Ad project in 2006 and no one complaining, to have 12MP that's definitely enough for most of prints!

[@TheShadowseesyou]

I have the R5 and try to shoot landscapes and this has even given me alot to think about also has made me realize I need to print some of my shots

[@BeckiandChris]

Printing your shots is so satisfying and rewarding!

[@musicademipais]

Just sold my a1 and got back 2 s3s. For me is better.

[@GhostWriter_Music]

most people don't need more than 12mp. almost forgot, you can also take panoramic shots and it stitches them really well.

[@mykomedia]

It's about the memories and not about the technical correctness! So true.

[@touch2ndgen]

This reminds me of a few years ago when I visited a museum on a trip to Chicago. There was a display for a young photographers' wildlife photo competition and the photos were about movie poster size. One of my favorites was taken with a 16mp Nikon D7000 just like mine! It was then I realized that I don't NEED a better camera, I just need practice.

[@BeckiandChris]

Yess!! Love this!

[@chrisclark5135]

Love this. I remember when I first started getting into cameras; or when digital cameras were gaining popularity - it was all about the MP's! The more MP's the better and the less MP's the suckier! lol Truth is those prints look amazing and that quality can be attained easier than we think. Thanks for sharing!

[@mrinmix_online]

I was looking for a video like this 🤠

[@chipcurry]

Good thoughts! Thanks.

[@mickeytubz]

Love this!!

[@DonSaeKang]

Photos are great !! Story is key