How can I get the highest-quality file from my Canon T3i for an 8×5 ft advertisement print?
Asked 12/15/2017
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I'm preparing an image for a large advertisement, about 8×5 feet, using a Canon T3i. The files coming off the memory card are usually around 5 MB, and I expected them to be larger. When the image is enlarged to full print size, it looks somewhat pixelated.
Are the images from the card already at the camera's maximum size, or is there a setting I should change? What should I do to get the best possible quality for a print this large?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
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You should always use RAW mode for this kind of work. RAW mode will give you the maximum quality that a digital camera is capable of. The T3i's native resolution of 5184 x 3456 will give a horizontal resolution of 54 pixels per inch when blown up to 8' x 5', and this is easily good enough for a large poster (although it will be less if you crop).
Originally by user56124. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user56124
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The file size in MB isn’t the main issue — pixel dimensions are. The Canon T3i’s full native resolution is 5184×3456 pixels, and that is the maximum image size the camera can capture.
A 5 MB file likely means you’re shooting full-size JPEG with compression, probably the camera’s higher-quality JPEG setting. For the best quality, switch to RAW (or RAW+JPEG), since JPEG compression can throw away detail.
At 8×5 ft, a 5184-pixel-wide image works out to roughly 54 pixels per inch across the long side. That can be acceptable for a large poster or advertisement viewed from a normal distance, but it won’t look crisp if inspected closely, and any cropping will reduce quality further.
So:
- use the camera’s full-resolution setting
- shoot RAW for maximum detail
- avoid heavy cropping
- judge sharpness from expected viewing distance, not from very close up
If your test print already looks pixelated, switching to RAW may help a bit, but it won’t increase the camera’s actual pixel count.
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