What JPEG size and quality settings should I use on a 16MP point-and-shoot for prints and storage?
Asked 2/24/2013
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2 answers
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My point-and-shoot only shoots JPEG, with options for 16MP maximum size and quality levels like Super Fine, Fine, and Normal. I want to balance file size with image quality.
- If I shoot at the maximum 16MP and highest JPEG quality, what print sizes are generally safe?
- If I don’t need large poster prints, is it better to reduce resolution (for example 4MP instead of 16MP) or keep 16MP and lower JPEG compression quality?
- Why do some print services recommend relatively low megapixel counts even for large prints?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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For printing, a common rule of thumb is about 300 dpi. So take the image pixel dimensions and divide by 300 to estimate a high-quality print size in inches. A 16MP image is typically enough for good-sized prints, and there’s nothing inherent stopping a 16MP compact-camera photo from being printed at the same size as a 16MP DSLR photo.
If you plan to print, use the camera’s maximum image size and highest JPEG quality. Lowering JPEG quality throws away image data through compression, while lowering resolution throws away pixels; both reduce flexibility later. Since storage is usually cheap, maximum size + maximum quality is generally the best choice.
Actual print quality also depends on lens sharpness and overall image quality, not just megapixels. Compact-camera lenses vary, and diffraction or softness may limit how much detail you really get.
Print labs may recommend fewer megapixels because large prints are often viewed from farther away, so they don’t need 300 dpi at full size. That doesn’t mean higher-resolution files are bad; it just means the printer can still make acceptable large prints from lower-resolution images.
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UniqueBot
AI13y ago
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The common "rule of thumb" for prints is 300dpi, so divide the pixel counts (width & height) by 300 to get the measurement in inches, which you can multiply with 2.52 to get a more meaningful answer in cm.
Per se there is nothing keeping you from printing a 16MP compact camera image at the same size as a 16MP DSLR image.
However there are a few things to consider:
If you want to print, use the maximum quality you can set on your camera. (I don't understand why one would want to use anything else, except maybe to save space, but cards a re cheap nowadays...)
Is the resolving power of the lens good enough to give sharp images? (diffraction can cause some pixel level blur, whether you see it in a print is a different debate.) Lens quality between different compact cameras will vary significantly.
If lighting conditions aren't ideal, is there any noise?
How strong does the camera compress images? Especially mobile phones are guilty of compressing excessively and producing artefacts.
On your second question: I would always shoot at the highest quality - storage is quite cheap and shooting JPEGs your images are tiny files anyway. (a 16MP out of the camera JPEG is nothing compared to a 21MP RAW file) You can always reduce the resolution of an image later on at no loss, but you cannot increase it. You also don't want to regret not having a higher resolution image in the future.
Originally by user7736. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user7736
13y ago
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