Should I shoot full-resolution 4:3 or lower-resolution 16:9 on a compact camera?
Asked 9/18/2018
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My compact camera offers these still-image options: 18MP (4:3), 10MP (4:3), 5MP (4:3), VGA (4:3), 13MP (16:9), and 2MP (16:9). I usually view photos on 16:9 screens, rarely print, and do very little post-processing. Should I shoot at the camera’s full-resolution 4:3 setting and crop later if needed, or use the lower-resolution 16:9 mode for easier framing and full-screen viewing? Are there general guidelines for choosing between maximum resolution at a less preferred aspect ratio versus a lower-resolution file at the desired aspect ratio?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
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Is there a standard practice or guidelines to use when taking digital photographs to help the photographer decide whether to use a higher resolution at a less desirable aspect ratio (4:3) versus using a lower resolution at a more desirable aspect ratio (16:9)?
No. Each photographer is free to select whatever option the camera offers.
Your 13 MP (16:9 at 4896x2752 pixels) option uses the full width of your sensor, just as the 18 MP (4:3 at 4896x3672 pixels) option does. It only crops the top and bottom of the 4:3 sensor to give you a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Even though I generally view photographs on a 16:9 screen, it still seems like taking the photographs at 18M (4:3) is the best choice. That way, the camera is saving the most data, and I can always crop later if I really want.
The vast majority of 16:9 screens are HD (1920x1080 pixels) which is a mere 2 MP.
4K screens (3840x2160) are only 8.3 MP.
If your primary concern is having enough resolution to view your images on those types of screens, your choice of resolution between 18 MP (4:3) and 13 MP (16:9) doesn't make a whole lot of difference. Either way, it is going to be scaled down for your screen.
When taking a photograph, it's challenging to frame the shot for 16:9 when the camera's screen is showing 4:3
If setting the camera to 16:9 helps you to frame for your intended display medium, then that is probably what would work best for you.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
There’s no universal rule; it depends on how you want to compose and use the image. On your camera, the 16:9 option uses the full sensor width and simply crops off the top and bottom of the native 4:3 frame. So 18MP 4:3 gives you more total image area and more flexibility later, while 13MP 16:9 gives you a ready-made widescreen composition in-camera.
If you want the most data and the ability to change your mind later, shoot 18MP 4:3 and crop afterward when needed. If you know you want a 16:9 image and prefer to compose precisely that way in-camera, use 13MP 16:9.
For screen viewing, you don’t have to let aspect ratio dictate capture format; many viewing programs can display images larger or crop for screen fit. Also, screens and print sizes vary, so tying capture too closely to one display shape can be limiting.
A practical guideline: use the full native format unless you have a strong compositional reason to commit to a crop in-camera.
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