Picture quality and JPEG Settings

[docker]

Could someone please give me advice?

I am going on a trip and although I have several CF cards I am wanting to increase my mileage. I have an S50 (5 Megapixel) and am think of changing the JPEG compression from superfine to fine in order to increase the number of pictures on the 1 G card. Large size (2592 X 1944 = Large) super fine gets me 400 , Large fine gets 700+. Or I could go the other route with medium (1600 X 1200) superfine at 980. What do you think is the best drop down in quality from the large superfine. I am thinking that the large fine combo is likely to give the best compromise as it is the closest to the maximum file size.

I hope I explained myself!!

Chris

[weemannie]

I'd say it depends what you want to do with the pictures when you get home again.

If you tend to view on a PC screen or only print small images (6"x4" for example) then fine. Otherwise, I'd stick with the highest resolution possible, particularly if this is a 'one off' trip. Details can be removed in post processing, they can't be added.

Given the price of storage media these days, if you think you'll shoot more pictures than you have storage for, buy more cards. Also, you could review your shots on the camera LCD and delete any that are not 'keepers' giving you some more room.

Enjoy your trip :)

[mindless]

did you noticed very big change in file sizes when you shoot superfine? the biggest are pics with leaves and trees. It seems that canon A series uses very smart compression algorithms. The result is low compression/high quality when needed. So, if you're shooting "simple" (this is totaly intuitive) pics, feel free to use fine instead of superfine. If you're shooting trees, use superfine. If you care about rapid shooting, use fine

hope this helps

[dijitul+philm]

How about setting the camera to fine for the most part and selectively going to superfine for projected keepers, especially people shots since noise in facial features is difficult to edit out later. Works for me (though in my case it's usually switching between RAW and superfine). Have fun

[docker]

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice - good thoughts to consider.