Qwick 'Image size' question...

[MikeKy55]

On my 300D you can obviously select file size/picture quality. Choices are Large, Medium and Small. Does this setting affect the image quality and if so in what way? The manual says basicly it takes up less space on the CF card. Is the larger file better image quality? If so, does small have fewer pixels or...?

Thanks in advance.

[Deckham]

Qwick answer:

Is the larger file better image quality?
Depends what size you view/print it, and from how far you view it.


If so, does small have fewer pixels or...?

Yes, which is why it is smaller.

[MikeKy55]

Thanks. The reason I asked was I have had mine set on 'small' and if I crop the picture and enlarge, image quality is the pits. So I take it that if I shoot larger, I can then crop and have a better smaller image to enlarge and have a better product.

I notice the "Qwick" after I hit post and I don't have the authority to correct titles. :(

[tstowe]

Keep this in mind.

Resolution for the most part, is a one way street. You can't enlarge a small picture (well you can, but not by much). If you take a picture with your camera and it's set for large, you can print a large picture or a small picture. Basically, by shooting with your camera set for the largest photo, you are increasing what you can do with that picture.

And...memory cards are cheap these days. Buy a couple of them and set your camera on large.

[LarryD]

Don't forget, in the P and other modes on that side of the dial, you can set your camera for RAW files for the best quality start to your post processing.
Convert all your Raw files to TIFF and do your processing work on that size file until you finally convert to jpg files for server compatibility etc.

[MikeKy55]

Thanks Todd. I should have realized this before now. With PS cameras I have had I knew smaller equaled less resolution and therefore limited uses.