Resolution needed for prints larger than 8x10

[KatManDEW]

I've been thinking about a large format photo printer, for prints
larger than 8x10, like the canon i9100 or Epson 2200. I'm wondering if
I can generate images with enough resolution to justify one of these
printers. I have a 4 megapixel Sony DSC S85 digital camera and a 2400
DPI Photosmart film scanner.

Any thoughts?

 

[wally]

I've been thinking about a large format photo printer, for prints
larger than 8x10, like the canon i9100 or Epson 2200. I'm wondering if
I can generate images with enough resolution to justify one of these
printers. I have a 4 megapixel Sony DSC S85 digital camera and a 2400
DPI Photosmart film scanner.

Any thoughts?

Obviously to get the "best" quality from these your image should
have about 300 "real" pixels/inch. For 35mm film scanned at 4000
dpi this works out to about 13x19" for a full-frame image.

However, lots of other factors come into play -- minimum viewing
distance, subject, etc. to decide what is "adaquate".

I've printed stitched together panaromics from 3 Mpixel digital
camera images that were "only" 72 dpi at 13x72" output size. I
interpolated them in photoshop to 240 dpi and printed on my Epson
2200. Most folks think the result is fantastic. Panoramic
printing on the 2200 is buggy so I can't recommend buying the
printer for this.

I prefer to interpolate in photoshop so I can get a better idea
of what to expect before committing to spending ~$0.01/sq.in. for
ink and a bit more for glossy paper.

--wally.

 

[BF]

From what I have read 300 pixels/inch (not dots/inch) is considered
professional quality. I think a 4 megapixel camera produces a 2,272 x 1,704
pixels image. To print an 8x10, divide 2272/10=227 pixels/inch. It might
look great but not what is considered professional quality. To go even
larger would be questionable and up to you or the viewer as too whether it
is good enough.