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Effect(s) of picture size on image quality
Dec 21, 2021 19:39:19 #
User ID wrote:
I saw it. I don’t bother posting non 6DII charts that “prove your chart is wrong”. Camera specific charts do NOT properly answer a generalized question. There is no reason to assume that the OP uses a 6DII. OTOH *if* he is using a 6DII then thaz a very handy chart.
I’m a qualified reference librarian. I don’t steer patrons to unlikely source material.
I’m a qualified reference librarian. I don’t steer patrons to unlikely source material.
When issuing unqualified pronouncements, the pontiff should expect pushback from all us peons, especially when it's already been documented in blue, black and white. On these 1-day discussions, we simply expect better performance. The day-2ers are expected to read and respond only to the OP, regardless of all the obvious discussion. Maybe an area for your 2022 performance improvement plan ?
Dec 21, 2021 20:05:48 #
therwol
Loc: USA
User ID wrote:
I saw it. I don’t bother posting non 6DII charts that “prove your chart is wrong”. Camera specific charts do NOT properly answer a generalized question. There is no reason to assume that the OP uses a 6DII. OTOH *if* he is using a 6DII then thaz a very handy chart.
I’m a qualified reference librarian. I don’t steer patrons to unlikely source material.
I’m a qualified reference librarian. I don’t steer patrons to unlikely source material.
Some people have difficulty understand a concept without a visual aid. So here is another one from the Nikon D850 online manual that says the same thing as the previous one in a different way. For this camera, if you use the entire sensor, you have choices in the pixel output of the photos. 45.4 megapixels at the large setting, 25.6 at the medium setting, and 11.4 at the small setting. The OP wanted to know specifically if this affects the quality of the images the camera produces. It doesn't take a genius to come to the right conclusion.
Dec 21, 2021 21:15:23 #
Quixdraw wrote:
How many Angels can dance on the head of a pin? This kind of discussion a flashback to Medieval Scholasticism.
Hardly anybody cares how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. I happen to know exactly how many, but hey, thaz pearls before swine. My lips are sealed !
Dec 21, 2021 21:18:16 #
User ID wrote:
Hardly anybody cares how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. I happen to know exactly how many, but hey, thaz pearls before swine. My lips are sealed !
It is all about the size of your pin. Mine might be different.
Dec 22, 2021 02:03:47 #
Aside from the actual pixel count image size that will affect the details you can capture.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-585722-1.html (PRINTOUT -same bit size different pixel count fig. 3A & 3B)
Also consider the save quality. I.E. on Nikon; Raw - Jpeg basic - Jpeg normal - Jpeg fine
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-722949-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-585722-1.html (PRINTOUT -same bit size different pixel count fig. 3A & 3B)
Also consider the save quality. I.E. on Nikon; Raw - Jpeg basic - Jpeg normal - Jpeg fine
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-722949-1.html
Dec 22, 2021 07:10:11 #
Thank all of you for your responses, and for making things a bit clearer in my mind.
Dec 22, 2021 07:34:56 #
Medium/Normal JPEG are my default settings for most life/documentation photos, making 5mp files. For sending out, even these need to be reduced. When shooting awesome scenes, of course bump up. Why waste card/hard drive space?
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Dec 22, 2021 08:31:49 #
scubadoc wrote:
I don’t think the sizes refer to “picture size”. They refer to the JPEG conversion of the image, and refer to the number of pixels in the image. The more pixels the higher the quality.
In the Nikon bodies I use, the designation is "Fine", "Normal", and "Basic". The manual describes them as compression ratios of approximately 1:4, 1:8, and 1:16.
Not to be confused with cropping of the image in camera.
Dec 22, 2021 09:08:04 #
therwol
Loc: USA
DirtFarmer wrote:
In the Nikon bodies I use, the designation is "Fine", "Normal", and "Basic". The manual describes them as compression ratios of approximately 1:4, 1:8, and 1:16.
Not to be confused with cropping of the image in camera.
Not to be confused with cropping of the image in camera.
You are talking about a different setting you can make for jpegs in the camera. It doesn't change the number of pixels in the output of the camera. It changes the jpeg compression ratio and has some effect on quality. The OP is talking about having the camera down sample to fewer pixels in the output, which is not the same as cropping. The question was whether this affects the quality of the images. Look at the table I posted. My Nikon D850 can use the full frame and produce images of 45.4, 25.6 and 11.4 megapixels. This output is not cropped.
There are separate settings in the camera that apply to NEF (RAW) files and how they're handled.
Dec 22, 2021 09:20:55 #
therwol wrote:
You are talking about a different setting you can ... (show quote)
The answer to the OP's question is an emphatic YES, it does affect quality when you allow the camera to subsample an image. It affects the enlarge-ability and crop-ability available to you. It throws away detail.
As I said earlier, many cameras can BOTH subsample images to smaller pixel dimensions AND compress them at various ratios.
IMHO, it is prudent to save the largest, least compressed JPEGs and always save a raw file. Save a FULL SIZE raw file if your camera gives you options for "small raw." It's 2021, and both flash memory cards and hard drives are cheap. Most folks have fast Internet. The constraints of 20 years ago no longer apply (or if they do, maybe it's time for some new gear?).
Dec 22, 2021 12:46:27 #
It is actually about how far compression is used. The more the compression, the less the detail. However, even at the lowest, the loss of detail is mostly evident if cropped or blown way up.
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Dec 22, 2021 14:00:11 #
therwol wrote:
Because that's what I paid after tax for a brand new Nikon D850 during their Black Friday sale. I already had a D810, so you can lecture me on how unnecessary the purchase was. Rather than sell the D810, I gave it to my son in-law. By the way, it's impossible to tell the difference between pictures taken with both cameras on a computer screen.
You are a good father-in-law for giving him the D810.
Dec 22, 2021 15:44:29 #
therwol
Loc: USA
Goldyrock wrote:
You are a good father-in-law for giving him the D810.
I think so. He still shoots film, and over time, I've given him 3 film cameras I once used, Nikkormat FT3, and Nikon FA x2. I've also given him a bucket full of manual focus lenses and two AF-D zooms. He also shoots digital on a Sony RX100 IV. The difference this time is that the D810 I gave him is still worth some money, but it's Christmas, and I felt generous. I'm trying to convince him that the D810 is a step above the little Sony. He's up in Oregon now trying out the camera.
Dec 22, 2021 15:46:48 #
therwol
Loc: USA
burkphoto wrote:
Save a FULL SIZE raw file if your camera gives you options for "small raw."
My Nikon D810 and D850 can save 14 bit RAW files with lossless compression as well, and that's the setting I use.
Dec 22, 2021 17:39:54 #
jradose wrote:
Most (if not all) DSLR cameras have an option for shooting picture sizes, like large, medium, or small. Making sure that I keep all things being equal (same lens, same focal length, etc.) will I lose image quality (clarity and detail) between taking a photo in the large size versus taking same photo in small size? I am not talking about cropping.
I shoot full raw then if a smaller file size is needed just downsize it in PS.
That for me gives me the most versatility of the image taken.
I do not worry about JPEG as I do not need to immediately send the photos to any client on a time sensitive basis.
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