Why are my 8M Pictures saving at 2.5M

[CheapToad]

I have a Sony Cybershot that goes up to 8M and I just noticed ALL my supposed 8M shots are 2.5M.

Huh?

And yes the camera is set to 8M

[CheapToad]

It is saving it at 3264 x 2448 which is correct. why then?

[onstill]

thats 8megapixel not 8megabytes. thats about the right size file for that size picture.

[CheapToad]

ok Thanx

[WapleSpunK]

You also have to remember that you are, most likely, saving JPGs. Most DSLRs (not sure about point and shoots) can save a RAW file which is not compressed, unlike a JPG which is very compressed. I have a 10MP camera and the files do save at an average of 10MB in RAW format (.CR2 for a Canon and a Nikon is, I believe, .NEF).

[CheapToad]

Hmmm maybe I'll save as raw if I can. Most of what I take I'm considering for reprints.

[Namoric]

What size are you planning on printing? The file size has nothing to do with megapixels.

From what I think Waple has said before, 3 megapixel is fine for 4x6 prints and you won't notice any artifacting. 6mp will get you to 8x10's

I think - Waple knows better than me.

[WapleSpunK]

Hmmm maybe I'll save as raw if I can. Most of what I take I'm considering for reprints.

Only shoot raw if you have a raw editor/converter. Most apps can't open a raw file. If you have one of the recent Photoshops you can, some camera's come with their own raw editor (Canon has PPS and Nikon has Capture NX) but I'm not sure if Sony does. I use Adobe Lightroom which is just awesome, and integrates well with Photoshop.

Raw is an excellent option but does require more work. You'll have to import them and then export them as JPGs if you want others to see them. Plus, your 8MP files will, most likey, end up taking 8MB per photo on your hard drive so you need to make sure you have the storage space.

However, raw does allow you to correct the white ballance after the shot and it has a much wider dynamic range meaning it'll save more details in the highlights and shadows which will allow you to adjust the exposure of the photo with a lot more flexibility.

[Savistik]

More even for RAW file sizes. My XSi (12.2 Megapixels) regularly spits out 16 - 21 meg raw files. Raw modes use 12 or 14 bits of storage per pixel plus additional color/exposure information so an 8 Megapixel RAW image can easily be 12 or 14 megabytes in size.

[CheapToad]

My camera can not take raw. Darn:(

[ThaMan]

My camera can not take raw. Darn:(My guess, from the way this thread was started, you have no use for Raw image format.

It would sorta be like giving a blind man a playboy magazine. :tongue: