Maximizing Resolution on A75?

[Troutstream]

Hi all, new to forum... thanks in advance. Recently purchased A75 and am confused over resolution. I set to 'Large - Superfine' and am still able to fit 300 images on 512 mb Card. When I download and look at properties the image is +/- 1.5 mb. How do I get a 3.2mb image. I have checked manual and searched forum but am unable to locate help.

I am trying to convince my wife that digital cameras have value and will need to print some sharp 4x6 to prove it to her. She is dedicated to SLR and film and lugs around an Elan and lenses.

Thanks to all.

Ken

[Jon]

Welcome aboard.
I think that what's happening is that you're confusing MB, MegaBytes and MP, MegaPixels. JPEG, which is the image format your camera uses, is a file compression technique for pictures. So, instead of recording a blue sky as BBBBBBBBBBBBWWWBBBB, it'll be saved as 12B3W4B. It's also what's called a "lossy" compression, which means that if there are only minor differences between two adjoining pixels, it'll treat them as the same so it can compress the file more. If you open a picture, or print it, the full 3.2 MP are there however, ands you should have no trouble making clear prints of up to 6 x 8. I've even done pretty good 8 x 10s with less resolution than you have.

I don't think that you'll sell her on digital, though, from just the A75. As another dedicated SLR user, I lug around two digital EOS and lenses when I'm going to photograph stuff. My A80 comes along with me when I'm not going out to photograph stuff. If you're willing to watch the charge cards max out, show her the EOS 20D (close match to the Elan in features), or worse, the 1DMk II :{)#

[Troutstream]

Jon,

Thanks for the clarification... I was confusing MP with Mb. I just wanted to make sure I was maxxing out the cameras resolution, and that I wasn't missing a setting value somewhere.

BTW, I wasn't expecting to replace her film, only to show her that digital has value. She is anti-techno all the way... no microwave, etc... So if we can use the digital for alot of our photos it would help save some space in our house as we have literally thousands of prints stored in various cupboards. I had an older Kodak MegaPixel camera that served me well for 4 years before it tasted salt water. I thought the A75 was a good, affordable entry level camera for her to try though I was eyeing the digital Rebel, but am not ready to lay out that kind of money just yet.

Thanks again,

Ken

[Jon]

She is anti-techno all the way...

I've got a good F-1n and an assortment of lenses (fully mechanical, no battery needed for anything except the exposure metering, and, if desired, the power winder) if she's interested in replacing that high-tech, all-electronic Elan ;{)#

[Troutstream]

Thanks Jon, I'll mention that to her!

Ken.