In camera format options - why? My Nikon D850 offers a number of format sizes in the menu. I tested a square format shot with a FF shot then cropped to the same size image. I could not...

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

My Nikon D850 offers a number of format sizes in the menu. I tested a square format shot with a FF shot then cropped to the same size image. I could not see a difference in the results and the file sizes are almost the same: so why not just shoot FF and post crop to the desire format size? What am I missing?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The same question asked on September 11 produced varied (and a few valuable) replies, especially on pages 1 and 2. After that, well you know how it goes on UHH

Here's the link:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-711144-1.html

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

DaveyDitzer wrote:

My Nikon D850 offers a number of format sizes in the menu. I tested a square format shot with a FF shot then cropped to the same size image. I could not see a difference in the results and the file sizes are almost the same: so why not just shoot FF and post crop to the desire format size? What am I missing?
Thanks in advance for your help.

That's what I do, full frame and crop as desired.
The in camera formats help with composition for some people, you see the "border limits".

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

DaveyDitzer wrote:

My Nikon D850 offers a number of format sizes in the menu. I tested a square format shot with a FF shot then cropped to the same size image. I could not see a difference in the results and the file sizes are almost the same: so why not just shoot FF and post crop to the desire format size? What am I missing?
Thanks in advance for your help.

You're missing that someone might want a finished camera JPEG without having to post process.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Linda From Maine wrote:

The same question asked on September 11 produced varied (and a few valuable) replies, especially on pages 1 and 2. After that, well you know how it goes on UHH

Here's the link:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-711144-1.html

.

Thank you

Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee

The only problem i see is that if you want to print 8 x 10 but your in-camera settings are for 3 x 2 format, you may not be able to crop to 8 x 10. Some camera clubs require 8 x 10 format. It is frustrating trying to print a 8 x 10 picture and being able to crop properly is just not there. I have since marked my 3x2 screen with the 8 x 10 lines so I know where to take the image so I can crop.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

There is at least one camera with a 5:4 aspect offered in-camera, the OP's Nikon D850. Apparently, many don't have that option, though, so your markings make good sense. I find it hard to visualize a crop ahead of time also, so I often have my native 4:3 Olympus set at 3:2 for landscapes.

Kozan wrote:

The only problem i see is that if you want to print 8 x 10 but your in-camera settings are for 3 x 2 format, you may not be able to crop to 8 x 10. Some camera clubs require 8 x 10 format. It is frustrating trying to print a 8 x 10 picture and being able to crop properly is just not there. I have since marked my 3x2 screen with the 8 x 10 lines so I know where to take the image so I can crop.

Screnprint for the OP's camera:

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Ysarex wrote:

You're missing that someone might want a finished camera JPEG without having to post process.

Exactly.

Example: When you need to upload, email or print an image immediately after capture, you want it to be in a certain format, but you simply don't have time to bring the image into an editor for cropping.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

DaveyDitzer wrote:

My Nikon D850 offers a number of format sizes in the menu. I tested a square format shot with a FF shot then cropped to the same size image. I could not see a difference in the results and the file sizes are almost the same: so why not just shoot FF and post crop to the desire format size? What am I missing?
Thanks in advance for your help.

I like to shoot full out in 3:2 aspect ratio and I like to print 4x6, 16x24, and 20x30.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Some people, when they desire a particular format for their finished product, find it easier to compose a shot if they shoot in that format. Gives them a better idea beforehand as to what the finished product will look like.

leftj Loc: Texas

DaveyDitzer wrote:

My Nikon D850 offers a number of format sizes in the menu. I tested a square format shot with a FF shot then cropped to the same size image. I could not see a difference in the results and the file sizes are almost the same: so why not just shoot FF and post crop to the desire format size? What am I missing?
Thanks in advance for your help.

That's like saying "if I don't use a feature of the D850 then why did they include it".

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Sort of like a digital Polaroid.
--Bob

Ysarex wrote:

You're missing that someone might want a finished camera JPEG without having to post process.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I probably don't use 95% of the features included in any of my digital cameras. The features I do use are simply, Custom WB, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. That's it. Oh, and the ability to format my storage media in-camera.
--Bob

leftj wrote:

That's like saying "if I don't use a feature of the D850 then why did they include it".

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

DaveyDitzer wrote:

My Nikon D850 offers a number of format sizes in the menu. I tested a square format shot with a FF shot then cropped to the same size image. I could not see a difference in the results and the file sizes are almost the same: so why not just shoot FF and post crop to the desire format size? What am I missing?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Nothing. DUH!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

DaveyDitzer wrote:

My Nikon D850 offers a number of format sizes in the menu. I tested a square format shot with a FF shot then cropped to the same size image. I could not see a difference in the results and the file sizes are almost the same: so why not just shoot FF and post crop to the desire format size? What am I missing?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Some people are really impressed with more bells and whistles a camera has. To you this offering is useless but to someone that likes a lot of different settings, they might be very happy to have it. Honestly, I'm with you on this. I always use the cameras best settings for the largest, best, end result and if I need to cut it down to size I do it in post.