03-07-2013, 09:56 AM
You are right, the sensor does not influence at all how the lens performs. The projected image stays the same, just the sample rate goes up. You will not notice a difference between an image taken with a 12mp D3 and a 36mp D800 (with the same lens) printed at the same size, Unless the size you print in is that big and the viewing distance is that small that the limiting factor starts to be the sensor resolution.
From this follows, that one can print bigger, and have smaller viewing distances, with the 36mp D800 before the resolution of the sensor starts to become a limiting factor.
You can also understand that if it is the lens that is limiting resolution, at the bigger print size and the smaller view distances it will be more apparent.
The D3 has a horizontal resolution of 4256 pixels. The D800 has a resolution of 7360 pixels. The D800 then has a resolution advantage of 72.9%. You can print about 73% bigger before the sensor resolution starts to be a limiting factor, if the viewing distance remains the same. Of course, the bigger you print, the bigger the viewing distance will be...
From this follows, that one can print bigger, and have smaller viewing distances, with the 36mp D800 before the resolution of the sensor starts to become a limiting factor.
You can also understand that if it is the lens that is limiting resolution, at the bigger print size and the smaller view distances it will be more apparent.
The D3 has a horizontal resolution of 4256 pixels. The D800 has a resolution of 7360 pixels. The D800 then has a resolution advantage of 72.9%. You can print about 73% bigger before the sensor resolution starts to be a limiting factor, if the viewing distance remains the same. Of course, the bigger you print, the bigger the viewing distance will be...