1. There is no need and no advantage of a full frame DSLR for the average guy. True? If I'm never going to make a billboard size print, the "standard" APS-C sensor on DSLR is more than good enough.

2. It seems like they are cramming more and more mp on the APS-C sensor. I think the highest is 24 mp. I read something from years back that said 10-12mp was the most they could cram on a APS-C. Ok, so technology has gotten better where we could not imagined.

24mp produced a big file. In can camera setting, we can set it to a lessor mp. Let's say 12mp. Would the image still be as good? Because more mp does not give you a better picture, so by turning the resolution down (smaller file), will there be any ill effects?

Example. If I want the lowest price new Nikon (D3200) it's a 24mp camera.

 

It depends on your needs.

I will never go back to cropped sensor for my personal DSLR. I dislike the crop factor...and these days IF I do need the crop, I can do in my current body AND still have more MP (36mp normal, 15mp cropped) than my old cropped sensor DSLR.

I have had full frame for nearly 5 years now, and I tend to shoot wide. So, I want my 24mm to be a 24mm....not a 36mm.

For your other question...choosing lesser file sizes = more compression. So, if plan on doing post correction...you can run into quality issues. So, that would make it better to shoot the highest quality you can. If you plan on just shooting, importing, and calling it a day...then yeah, shoot at a lower res or jpeg.

 

The D3200 will not let you "choose" a lessor file size, it's already a DX format camera. The full frame cameras will let you choose a smaller format. And even then the D3, D3s and D700 have a quirk about doing so.

Unless you are going to be blowing up images big, say above 16x20 a newer DX camera will be fine. I suggest you find a used D7000. It's a DX 16mp file, and for DX "cropped" it's pretty damn good.

Though many have said they are very happt with the file that a D3200, D5200 or D7100 delivers.