Picture size vs image quality

[Blob]

I'm confused as to the relationship between "picture size", (found in the FZ 15's menu), and the resultant picture quality. I often shoot at 1600 so I can fit more photos on one card, (instead of 2340). Am I getting less than the full 4 mega pixel photos when I do this or is my photo smaller in size, i.e., 4"x6" instead of 5"x7"?

My "quality" option looks like a block of six squares, located just below the TIFF option. I thought that was what told the camera number of pixels to use. Am I correct?

I want to be able to shoot using the most pixels possible so I can crop and edit with less chance of distortion. Do I do this by selecting 2340 pict size or six squares quality, or a combination of the two?

[MoD]

I'm confused as to the relationship between "picture size", (found in the FZ 15's menu), and the resultant picture quality. I often shoot at 1600 so I can fit more photos on one card, (instead of 2340). Am I getting less than the full 4 mega pixel photos when I do this or is my photo smaller in size, i.e., 4"x6" instead of 5"x7"?

The answer is yes to both. Pixels = inches.

My "quality" option looks like a block of six squares, located just below the TIFF option. I thought that was what told the camera number of pixels to use. Am I correct?

No, that's the method of compression. TIFF is no compression at all, and the one you're using is less compression than the one below it.

I want to be able to shoot using the most pixels possible so I can crop and edit with less chance of distortion. Do I do this by selecting 2340 pict size or six squares quality, or a combination of the two?

A combination of the two, or use TIFF.

[MoD]

Here's a link for ya that explains it in detail:

http://www.ramsayphoto.com/basics.htm

[genece]

IMHO
you are making a mistake by not shooting at the best quality and least compression JPEG.
and also set the Noise
Reduction to low

You never know when the shot of a lifetime will comeup and you will want that to be as good as possible.

Memory is not real expensive ..get another card.
I have a couple of these they are good and fast.

http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820214210

As I said its just my opinion

Someone on one of these forums use to use the line
"Memory is cheap ..Memories are priceless"

.

[Blob]

Thank you all for the information. I'm going to shoot at 2304 picture size and keep my compression low--just below TIFF.

One other question, how do I set my noise reduction to low?

Blob

[John_Reed]

Thank you all for the information. I'm going to shoot at 2304 picture size and keep my compression low--just below TIFF.

One other question, how do I set my noise reduction to low?

BlobIn the shooting menu, you'll find a "PICT. ADJ." line with a little wrench icon beside it. Select that item, and it will show you a sub-menu with "NOISE REDUCTION" being one of the lines. Select that, and you'll get yet another sub-menu, with LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH as choices. You can take it from there.

[astro]

1600x1200 is around 2MP
multiply 1600 with 1200 and you'll get 1,920,000
So that's 1.92 million pixels

One thing I don't get is why a lot of people try to buy the most megapixels in a camera as they can get, and then they set all the picture sizes to 1024x768, which is 0.8MP
Negates the purpose.

[Blob]

Thanks everyone for the help.

[Balrog]

One thing I don't get is why a lot of people try to buy the most megapixels in a camera as they can get, and then they set all the picture sizes to 1024x768, which is 0.8MP
Negates the purpose.

Oh but you see then they can show their friends "Look! SEVEN MEGAPIXELS!!!" .. sheesh .. :rolleyes:

[sakk50]

I agree, get 2 - 1gb sd cards. Put it on the highest resolution, not tiff, too long of a recycle between shots, and take lots of pictures. If you are ever in doubt, just keep shooting. A 1gb card will give you 400 someodd pics, so just delete the ones that aren't the best, keep the higher quality/layout/look ones and be happy.

I have pulled off more "o my, that looks so great" photos overshooting this way than trying to get that one shot that is just great by trying to conserve your memory card.

[emalvick]

I agree, get 2 - 1gb sd cards. Put it on the highest resolution, not tiff, too long of a recycle between shots, and take lots of pictures. If you are ever in doubt, just keep shooting. A 1gb card will give you 400 someodd pics, so just delete the ones that aren't the best, keep the higher quality/layout/look ones and be happy.

I have pulled off more "o my, that looks so great" photos overshooting this way than trying to get that one shot that is just great by trying to conserve your memory card.

This is the way I use my camera, and I think it is a good philosophy. However, when I know I have "that one shot", it is worth switching to tiff. Tiff is also useful if you are going to do a lot of editing.