Does Nikon D7200 1.3x image area permanently crop RAW files?
Asked 3/20/2016
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On a Nikon D7200, if the camera was set to the 1.3x Image Area instead of normal DX, does that crop happen at capture even when shooting RAW/NEF? Can the missing edges be recovered later in post-processing, or is only the smaller sensor area recorded?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
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As I understand it, the image area affects the amount of the sensor which is used? Is that correct?
Yes. That's correct. The 1.3x setting reduces the area of the sensor used from 23.5 x 15.6 mm to 18.8 x 12.5 mm. (see: Nikon D7100 product page).
The photos were taken as RAW (NEF), and the raw images suggest that the pixel count is the same between images with/without the image area set wrong.
This is incorrect. If 1.3x is set, you get about 18MP, vs. the 24MP of the full sensor.
Is this fixable in post processing? Or are the photo subjects permanently decapitated?
Sorry, but the subjects are permanently decapitated, as the "cropping" was done at the sensor. It may be worthwhile to point out to your MIL the crop box that appears in the viewfinder in 1.3x mode, although she's probably figured it out already.
Originally by user27440. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27440
10y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. On the D7200, the 1.3x Image Area setting uses a smaller central portion of the sensor, not just a viewfinder guide or metadata crop. In normal DX mode the camera uses the full APS-C sensor area; in 1.3x mode it records a smaller area, so the captured frame is tighter.
That means RAW/NEF files shot in 1.3x mode are genuinely cropped at capture. The missing outer edges were never recorded, so they cannot be restored in post-processing. If heads or edges were cut off, that information is unfortunately gone.
You should also see a lower resolution in 1.3x mode than in full DX mode—roughly about 18 MP versus 24 MP—because fewer sensor pixels are being used.
For future shooting, make sure the camera is back on DX Image Area, and note that in 1.3x mode the viewfinder shows a crop box indicating the smaller recorded area.
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