File sizes and compression level

[antbrown]

I'm wondering if I mostly print pictures at 4" x 6" to 8" x 6" would it be better to save images at 1600 x 1200 (M1) and superfine compression (which is what I have the camera set as now or as 2272 x 1704 (L) and fine compression. I can fit about the same number of pictures on my 256 Mb CF card either way, well close anyhow, but I'm not sure if a larger file size with more cpmpression or a smaller file size with less compression will give me better pictures.

Anyone know how this works?

Michael

[kb244]

this is the chart I've come up with working in the printer asile all the time, and working with 2MP upto 11MP images ( I personally had a 2 and 4MP camera, where the 11 were downloaded )

2MP = 4x6 ideally can stress to 5x7 with minimal pixalation.
3MP = 5x7 to 8x10
4MP = 8x10 to 20x30 ( theorectically 20x30 I havent tested this )

I havent worked too much with anything larger than letter size, but ideally you would probally want to stick with Large/Fine, since the difference between Fine and Superfine i've found to be marginal. Also working with large, allows you to keep much better sharpness when printing onto smaller formats as well as being able to crop portions of a Large shot picture and still pertain enough visual information to keep the image sharp at 4x6 printout.

Remeber, the smaller the output, the sharper it will seem, much like how it looks great on the computer monitor or LCD, but might look like crap on paper, since physically you need more details on paper.

[hypokondriak]

You want to shoot 2274x1704 superfine.

2274x1704 at 300dpi (the standard print dpi) = 5.68x7.53.

I will expand my answer more shortly unless someone beats me to it.

[hypokondriak]

Ok. Here is a better answer:

The compression is how the camera compresses the JPEG image to save space after taking a shot (this is why there is no compression setting with RAW). The higher the compression, the more quality that is lost (but less space is utilized).

As stated above, if you were to print a 2272x1704 image at 300dpi it would be roughly 5x7 so you definitely want to shoot at 2272x1704 even if for 4x6 or 6x8.

Honestly, if you want to get the best quality prints from your camera you should shoot in RAW mode. If you are willing to give up some quality, than shoot in JPEG/superfine mode. If you are willing to give up more quality than shoot in JPEG/fine mode.

Granted, there may be no noticeable difference as KB244 suggests, but that's all really subjective. From a technical angle it would go RAW > JPG-SF > JPG-F.

1600x1200 is not the way to go. Technically, you could probably get away with it, but once again that's subjective. The best way for you to really find out is to try the settings out, print them your normal way, and see what your acceptable limits are.

[RajaBhat]

Just to say I agree with hypokondriak....
Raja