Myth#3: Digital pictures aren't as high-quality as traditional photos
In every myth you'll find a kernel of truth. Yes, it is true that digital camera photos still can't match the quality of those made with traditional cameras. But that gap in image quality is shrinking all the time. (Keep in mind that digital technology is in its infancy, whereas traditional photography has been perfected over the past hundred years.)
Frankly, traditional photography offers more resolution and detail than is really necessary to make an excellent print. So while traditional photography still has the upper hand in terms of quality, it's a difference that is only noticeable in certain circumstances. Will you notice the difference in quality in an 8" x 10" snapshot? Unless it's a gigantic print, probably not.
The print challenge
The quality of digital photographs has improved dramatically in recent years. Cameras offer incredibly higher resolution and greater sensitivity than they did even a year ago.
At 3.3 megapixels, a digital camera can technically create a photo-quality 8" x 10" photo. So if you were comparing an 8" x 10" digital print taken with a 3.3-megapixel camera to an 8" x 10" traditional print, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. Unless you're a professional planning to exhibit your large-format photos in a gallery, then the quality of today's digital cameras should work just fine for you.
Quality control
From click to print, you control the entire digital photography process-so you really have more control over the print quality of a digital picture than you do over that of a traditional print. You can preview photos and choose only the best ones, and you can immediately delete the low-quality pictures. No more disappointments later when your film is developed!
Quality that lasts and lasts
As digital cameras have improved significantly in quality, so have inkjet photo printers. Now the in-home photo lab can create the same high-quality prints that a professional photo lab can. If you print pictures on HP premium plus photo paper with HP ink that's formulated for your printer, you'll get archive-quality photos that last longer than most traditional prints: up to 73 years!
Pixels aren't everything
HP engineers believe that the science of color holds the key to higher quality. HP Imaging Technology automatically adjusts the camera for each individual scene. The result is clearer pictures from fewer pixels … something that traditional photography could never achieve.
Getting better all the time
Some people believe that digital photography could surpass traditional photos in quality very soon. The pictures you can get today with most 3+-megapixel cameras are already pretty astonishing, and 11+-megapixel consumer models have already hit the market. It's an exciting time to be digital photographer!
