What resolution should a dig camera be set on for printing pics?

[opus_00]

I've been reading some of the posts about digital cameras. We just bought a second-hand 3.2 mp Sony Cybershot (our first digital camera). We plan on taking it on our next trip (maybe February). Any of the pictures I have printed will probably be 4x6. What is the recommended resolution/image size to set the camera on for taking good quality pictures to print? My memory card is 128 mb.

Paula

 

[mareed]

My recommendation would be the highest resolution possible that's jpg format. Why get a high megapixel camera if you're not going to use the capability of it? By taking at the higher resolution, you can crop & edit the pictures later and still end up with a high quality 4 X 6 print. At the highest resolution, you'll probably get around 65 pictures on a 128 meg card, I'd guess. You'll probably need more cards, but prices are going way down, and you should be able to find something reasonable. I have a 4 mp camera, and I take three 256 meg cards which gives me about 330 pictures. I have taken this many on our trips and have purchased another card for our long XMAS trip!

 

[dctrphil2003]

We have a Sony Cybershot also and it has been a wonderful camera. We have a 128 mg memory stick in it that we bought from ebay and it seems to hold more than enough memory for us. We are going to Disney World at Christmas and plan on using this camera extensively.

We have our setting at 1280x960 and picture quality set to "FINE". We print our pictures on a little HP photo printer and the quality is amazing (you cannot tell the difference between our digi pics and our film pics, except for in extreme low light). You can set your picture size for higher, but since you are planning on printing 4x6's (the same size we print) there is no need to set it for higher unless you plan on using it for other multimedia applications, editing, etc.

Hope this helps and have a great trip!

 

[sperk99]

I would use the hisghest resolution possible

 

[Big V]

What if you get "The shot of a lifetime" and you can't get a decent enlargement of it? Use a high res.

 

[dctrphil2003]

I agree completely with both of you, but 1280x960 on a 3.2MP is High Res (set at the FINE setting). Sure you can set it for higher, just in case you need a life size poster of you and Goofy, but when you run out of memory after only a few pics... you may change your mind. Don't just pick the highest setting because its available, choose the right setting for the application you are using it for.

p.s. I would suggest taking the the same pic in daylight and low light on each of your cameras settings, and then go print a picture of each. This will only cost you a couple bucks and then you know what your camera can do. Also, look at your lcd screen and compare how many pictures your camera will hold when set at the different settings, if you have it set at the highest setting and you are only able to store 25 pics on your memory stick, is that worth it to you for something that you will most likely never need? Do what makes sense to you and have fun!

 

[stevec999]

Memory is cheap, buy extra storage cards. Always use the best resolution the camera has to offer. Like one of the other posts said you never know when you will get "the picture" and you want a poster of it. Also if you have the best quality you will be able to crop the image on the computer to get a better looking shot and still have enough pixels left to get a decent print.

I take a laptop and save my picture off to it at the end of each day.

 

[dctrphil2003]

What it comes down to is doing what works best for your application. If you feel more comfortable shooting all your pics at the highest setting, then go for it!

I would suggest doing some Google searches on the topic and visit some digital media forums also.

I have been editing in the broadcasting field with tape, digital video, and digital pics for years now...and I can tell you that there is such a thing as "overkill".

The speedometer on my Suburban says that I can go 100, but I usually keep it between 65-75 mph...but if I need it, its there. My thermostat goes up to 95 degrees in my house, but i prefer 68-70. Use the setting that works for your application.

 

[jeancbpugh]

Originally posted by dctrphil2003
The speedometer on my Suburban says that I can go 100, but I usually keep it between 65-75 mph...but if I need it, its there. My thermostat goes up to 95 degrees in my house, but i prefer 68-70. Use the setting that works for your application.

But you don't do anything with your speed or your temperature after the fact.

You can't go back and change the resolution on a shot later.

What if you want to really zoom in and crop a photo?

Memory used to be expensive. It's not anymore.

 

[Amirah95]

We have a Sony Cybershot and we set the camera at regular resolution and our pictures at any size come out perfect when printing. I guess it's up to you. The bigger size of picture the higher you want to set the resolution.

 

[Disnutty]

When you go to Print your pictures do you use any Photo software to crop or to change any of the colors? If all you do is print the photos from the camera without any major changes (fixing red eyes is a minor change) then going to the maximum resolution your camera has is a waste. If you are someone who likes to zoom in and crop out parts of a picture and add items and effects then higher resolution is a must. If all you are doing is printing without editing then the higher resolution only takes up memory space which could be used for more pictures. I would also check your computer display settings (click start, control panel, display, then settings) and see what your computer is using. Having more pixels than what your computer and printer can use does not make sense since you will not be able to see the higher pixels. If you edit your photos then higher resolution is a must. I would strongly suggest buying another memory card or stick. If for some reason you fill one up you can always put the backup in and get that once in a lifetime picture. Having a back up memory card is a the best insurance that you will not miss out on a magical shot.