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Shoppers Think Bigger is Better, Even When it Isn't

by Tim Stevens on October 24, 2008 at 10:01 AM


We've already talked about megapixels and how bigger is most certainly not better; higher quality (e.g. better lenses, larger sensors) cameras with lower megapixel counts can take better shots than newer ones with higher ratings. But a lot of folks out there don't seem to have received the message, as a new study has found that shoppers will prefer that which has the higher number, even when there's no difference otherwise.

The Journal of Consumer Research has published a study in which a number of tests were performed, including one in which people were shown two copies of one picture, slightly modified to look different in terms of sharpness and color. With no additional information, only 25-percent of people liked the sharper picture. But when they were told the sharper one was taken by a camera with a higher megapixel count, 75-percent then chose the sharper image, which was otherwise identical to the other one.

So, this holiday season, don't be so easily fooled. Shop around and read reviews to get the products that are best, and not just those that have the highest statistics on the box! [From: ars technica]

Tags: bigger is better, BiggerIsBetter, digital cameras, DigitalCameras, holiday, megapixel, shoppers, shopping, studies, study, trends

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