Resolution & Compression basics

[Alva]

New to digital photgraphy.
I have a Canon A75
Please settle this argument.
By setting the default Resolution & Compression settings of my camera to Large and Superfine I get an image file size of about 1.3 MB which is twice the size of the file I get when using Fine and M1 settings.
I assume that means a better quality image and potentially a better quality print for that image, all else being equal.
Does that are mean with my 3.3 MP camera set to Large and Superfine that I should be getting similar quality pix to those taken by a larger MP camera set at low setting.
If so why buy a 6 MP camera and set the settings at the low end ?

[PacAce]

New to digital photgraphy.
I have a Canon A75
Please settle this argument.
By setting the default Resolution & Compression settings of my camera to Large and Superfine I get an image file size of about 1.3 MB which is twice the size of the file I get when using Fine and M1 settings.
I assume that means a better quality image and potentially a better quality print for that image, all else being equal.
Does that are mean with my 3.3 MP camera set to Large and Superfine that I should be getting similar quality pix to those taken by a larger MP camera set at low setting.
If so why buy a 6 MP camera and set the settings at the low end ?

Yes, why, indeed! It doesn't make sense to have a 6 MP camera and then shoot JPEG with the settings at the low end.

So, who won the argument? You or the other fella? :)

[Jon]

New to digital photgraphy.
I have a Canon A75
Please settle this argument.
By setting the default Resolution & Compression settings of my camera to Large and Superfine I get an image file size of about 1.3 MB which is twice the size of the file I get when using Fine and M1 settings.
I assume that means a better quality image and potentially a better quality print for that image, all else being equal.
Does that are mean with my 3.3 MP camera set to Large and Superfine that I should be getting similar quality pix to those taken by a larger MP camera set at low setting.
If so why buy a 6 MP camera and set the settings at the low end ?

You're absolutely correct, as far as it goes. But (there's always a "but", isn't there) . . .

I may know that, for a particular set of photos, I'm going to be shooting for the web, so I'll use the lower resolution setting to reduce my post-processing.

I may know I'll be unable to offload my memory cards for an extended period of time, and won't have much power for recharging my camera batteries and my laptop/image tank, so 'll shoot lower resolution to make my cards (and power) go further.

That 6 MP camera may have other capabilities (interchangable lenses, faster response, external flash, longer built-in zoom range, better movie or macro mode, better ISO range are some) that I need even though I don't need the maximum resolution the camera's capable of.

[aam1234]

Yes, why, indeed! It doesn't make sense to have a 6 MP camera and then shoot JPEG with the settings at the low end.

So if you have a Porche 911 turbo you have to drive it at 100 mile/hr. all day?

[aam1234]

Sorry, thought you were talking about RAW.

[Alva]

Well, after reading all the responses I suppose we both won.
Yes, my A75 used in high-mode will serve as well as my brother-in law's 6MP camera programmed at mid range settings but he does have a few (but only a very few <g>) bells and whistles that I don't have. However I am not likely to use such refinements for a long time .... at least until I get a better handle on all this.
Don't think he knows how to use them either !
Thank you for the responses.

[Jon]

Don't think he knows how to use them either !
Thank you for the responses.

That's a whole 'nother ballgame. ISTR Doc F. started a thread on that a couple of months back - people who buy way more camera than they need or similar.

-----------------
Jon
Who thinks a 911 Turbo would be just the thing for the 1 mile commute to the train station, but it'd never hold all the dogs

[PacAce]

Well, after reading all the responses I suppose we both won.
Yes, my A75 used in high-mode will serve as well as my brother-in law's 6MP camera programmed at mid range settings but he does have a few (but only a very few <g>) bells and whistles that I don't have. However I am not likely to use such refinements for a long time .... at least until I get a better handle on all this.
Don't think he knows how to use them either !
Thank you for the responses.

LOL :lol: But actually, it's the cool factor that counts, eh? All he needs to do is to pretend that he does. :mrgreen: :lol: I should know. I've been getting away with it for the last year and a half now. :D

[Scottes]

I've been getting away with it for the last year and a half now.

No you haven't.

:D :D :D

[PacAce]

I've been getting away with it for the last year and a half now.

No you haven't.

:D :D :D

:shock: I haven't? ??? You mean everybody knows that I'm nothing but lots of hot air? :cry:

[aam1234]

I've been getting away with it for the last year and a half now.

No you haven't.

:D :D :D

:shock: I haven't? ??? You mean everybody knows that I'm nothing but lots of hot air? :cry:

I would say so.

[aam1234]

Kidding :D

[Alva]

Hello Jon,
__________________________________________________ _________
That's a whole 'nother ballgame. ISTR Doc F. started a thread on that a couple of months back - people who buy way more camera than they need or similar.
__________________________________________________ _________
Does this Forum have an archieve where I could look at the thread you mention above ?

[chris.bailey]

Yes, why, indeed! It doesn't make sense to have a 6 MP camera and then shoot JPEG with the settings at the low end.

So if you have a Porche 911 turbo you have to drive it at 100 mile/hr. all day?

No. Sometimes you feel the need to put your foot down :lol: :lol:

[Jon]

It's still on-line. You'd need to use the board's "Search" facility. I'm afraid I don't remember just which forum it was in. Either here or Eos DSLRs, I think. Sometime post-June of this year.

[Andy_T]

My aunt also has a 3.3 MP camera but always uses it at a resolution of something like 1024*768 ...

When I asked her why she did that, she replied that this way, the 256 MB CF card holds more pictures ...
so she only has to download the images every other month :roll:

Best regards,
Andy

PS: Be aware that the search functionality in the forum does not work completely. There are some 'grey areas' :wink: