Image size

[Acipiter]

On my Canon SX30 is there are 5 image sizes to choose from, A2 14m 4320x3240 M1 7m 3072x 2304 M2 1600 x 1200. Small 0.3m 640x 480 and wide 14M 3744x2104 I normally only use M2. If I kept it set to Small 0.3m 640x480 which would save me messing around with resizing when posting, would that be ok, I only put my pictures on the pc to show, and never have them printed, so would it make much difference. If you could make your answer none technical I would be most grateful. Thank you .

[glsammy]

I would say that's one setting too low. 640x480 is well below the display setting for modern monitors. If you want your shots to largely fill a reasonably monitor, then the M2 your currently using would seem to be the best option. Having said that, why not simply experiment? Only you can say what size and quality your looking for.

[RoyW]

I find that resizing doesn't really take any time at all - so I would always go for the highest setting personally (just in case a once in a life time shot 'appeared' in front of me! If you really don't want to do any resizing I would agree with glsammy and still stick with the M2 setting (the small setting really is too small).

[Acipiter]

Thanks lads, I will give it a good try out today, I take your meaning Roy, about the once in a life time shot, I would just be a wee bit upset.

[Geoff F]

That's right, if your image is too small when you get that one genuine shot of a big cat in the UK countryside you can't sell it to the press and retire on the proceeds.

Or a more likely scenario, someone famous behaving badly and not realising that you are there with a camera!

[Acipiter]

Just had a thought, would it not be better to leave it on A2, as this has 14 m, which would help give a better result when I zoom in on the PC.

[King Edward]

I'd always stick with the full resolution, unless e.g. the large files really slow your computer down, or you're on holiday and your memory cards are getting full too quickly.

You can always batch resize later for the web etc. (preserving the full size originals unchanged).

[Acipiter]

Thanks for the reply King Edward, I am going to give it a try, and see how it all turns out.

[Hobjob]

Using small image size also makes cropping a photo a problem. You just don't have the detail.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Using small image size also makes cropping a photo a problem. You just don't have the detail.

Yes, unless you have a full-frame subject, you are likely to want to do some cropping - don't limit yourself by starting with a small picture.
As mentioned below - the only reason for using a small pixel value is if you have limited storage space.
Good luck with your experiments!