Dumb MP question

skysailor

I have a Canon G9. 12 MP. When I use my pics on line etc. they're just too big. Will lowering the pixel count on the camera have any effect on this? Or, will it just create more noise at higher ISO settings?
Are there any advantages/disadvantages to changing the pixel count?
I'll bet that was clear as mud.
Lyle

Qarik

skysailor wrote:

I have a Canon G9. 12 MP. When I use my pics on line etc. they're just too big. Will lowering the pixel count on the camera have any effect on this? Or, will it just create more noise at higher ISO settings?
Are there any advantages/disadvantages to changing the pixel count?
I'll bet that was clear as mud.
Lyle

when you say they are too big..you mean viewing size or file size?

skysailor

Viewing size.

Awais Yaqub

You can resize pictures in imaging softwares like Photoshop, Digital Photo Pro, Light room etc. If you have smugmug account you get option to view smaller size photos too.
http://www.smugmug.com/help/custom-photo-sizes

Yes lowering pixel count in camera will help you, but you will lose crop and print size advantage. I recommend Shoot at Max MP in camera resize it later in computer. Only good reason to shoot at small MP in camera is to save memory.

I think noise level remains same

Grainbelt

The simplest photo editor I've used with good results is Picasa.

You can get a plugin for smugmug that uploads right from the software, and you can choose the file size that is uploaded.

I keep the originals on my pc, and upload resized pics to the web.

ziggy53

Grainbelt wrote:

The simplest photo editor I've used with good results is Picasa.

You can get a plugin for smugmug that uploads right from the software, and you can choose the file size that is uploaded.

I keep the originals on my pc, and upload resized pics to the web.

I agree about Picasa, and I use Irfanview as well. Both are capable of resizing, but Picasa has one of the best image rotation tools in the business.

DavidTO

I don't know how you're posting them online, but I would never go to the trouble of resizing for the web, I'd use the online service to do it. For example, SmugMug can display just about any size on the fly, no need to create a separate file for web viewing.

colourbox

skysailor wrote:

When I use my pics on line etc. they're just too big.

The basic "problem" is that your G9 pics come out of the camera at 4000x3000 pixels. If you don't change that, they're too big for any monitor. Your monitor is probably not even close to 4000x3000 pixels. My laptop is only 1440x900. 4000x3000 is a great number of pixels for a large print, though. That's why they give you that many.

But for a web page, you probably want 800x600 pixels or something like that so that it doesn't take over the whole screen. Does that mean you should shoot at 800x600? Well, only if you never want to use the pic for anything better. A 4x6 print should have 1200x1800 pixels at 300dpi, for instance. This is why most people don't change the camera. They take the full size pic and size it down for different print sizes and for the web.

But because you are on Smugmug, DavidTO's suggestion is the best. Take the full size pic. Upload the full size pic to Smugmug for safekeeping. Then let Smugmug do the downsampling to various display sizes and various print sizes. For example, let Smugmug store the 4000x3000 version, and use the custom URL feature to show an 800x600 version on the Web.

You can also resize manually with Picasa or Photoshop or whatever, for your own local use like home printing or emailing. But it is still best to shoot and keep the full size camera version so you never find yourself short of pixels because you turned down the camera resolution too far.

AlbertZeroK

Windows XP has a Resize Picture PowerToy. This is a vista capable replacement:

http://www.vso-software.fr/products/image_resizer/

I use the XP PowerToy all the time. This tool is easy, right click on your images and resize.