Improving image resolution - what does it really buy?

Here’s a chance, not only to show off our border collie Riff, but to “justify” my new camera purchase.

What is the benefit to having a higher pixel count? The image with the higher pixel count can be blown up larger without the pixels being visible. Film has the same limitation, but instead of pixels it's film grain.

 

I magnified a strand of hair near his right ear, outlined by the oval.

Here’s the same image with the pixel count, reduced by Photoshop to match my older-generation camera with its 3888 pixels horizontally. The resolution improvement will make details standout dramatically on stage. I can hardly wait to try it.

What does this mean for my theater photography? I’ll be able to provide larger blowups and high-resolution crops.