Is a consumer DSLR good enough to shoot an image for a 20×15 ft billboard?
Asked 7/5/2013
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I need to photograph an image for a billboard about 20×15 feet. Viewers will be at least around 35 feet from the bottom of the billboard, and the image will be colorful.
Is a consumer DSLR such as a Canon 550D or Nikon D5100/D90 sufficient, or do I need a higher-end/pro body such as a 5D or D3s? Also, how many megapixels are typically needed for a billboard this size?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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While we often ask what resolution is needed for a certain print size, it no longer holds for things which are so large. What is key is resolution per angular extent, meaning how big do you expect people to see the billboard. That largely depends on how close viewers can get to it.
A 20 foot billboard seen from 20 feet away looks pretty much the same as a 5 foot one seen from 5 feet away, so it needs the same resolution. If you do need to produce a billboard that will stand real close inspection, then even a medium-format camera will not cut it and you will have to resolve to stitching images. Any camera with manual controls can do that, you basically need a very long lens and take each section at a time with some overlap.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
13y ago
0
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Probably yes. For billboards, viewing distance matters more than the physical print size. A very large print seen from far away does not need the same pixel density as a small print viewed up close, so the resolution difference between consumer and pro DSLRs is usually not the deciding factor.
For a 20×15 ft billboard viewed from roughly 35 ft or more, most modern DSLR files are often adequate. The better test is practical: print the image at high quality, view it from a proportionally similar distance, and judge whether it looks detailed enough.
If the billboard must hold up to close inspection, even many pro DSLRs may not be enough on their own. In that case, shoot multiple overlapping frames and stitch them, or use medium/large format equipment.
So: don’t focus only on megapixels. A consumer DSLR can be good enough, but success depends on viewing distance, image quality, technique, and whether the final use demands unusually high detail.
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