Picture Files HELP

[mdeluxe]

Ok, Im pretty new at digital cameras my last one didnt have this problem. I bought a Nikon s550

But when I take pictures and put them on my computer the files are around 3mB. And if I want to email them I am only able to do a few a email msg.

Can anyone help me to figure out how to make the files smaller. is it the camera? or when i put it on my comp should I be compressing it somehow?

i would just look in the manual... but i cant find it =(

Thanks

edit: is there something on my camera that i have to fix because if im taking 3mb pics on it my 8gb memory card will fill up fast... I bought it because im going on vacation soon.. ill need to have alot of space.

[Thaco]

nope, keep a copy of those files, you can resize them for web/email use using windows power tools "image resizer" google for it, it's free and provided by MS so it's safe.


but make sure you keep a copy of the originals incase you want to get them printed at a large size later


~8192MB (8gb) / 3mb/pictures = over 2700 pictures, unless you're going away for a month, i'm sure you'll be fine... also your camera will only use what it needs, it'll only be 3mb for very complex shots, every day shooting, you'll probably get over 3500 photos in that card.

[mdeluxe]

thanks for your help.... i will look up the "resizer"

yeh i guess 2700 is alot, just wanted to make sure... I am going to Thailand for a month

[Thaco]

in that case i'd suggest buying an additional memory card, you can get an 8 or 16gb for relatively cheap.


8gb card for $30
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10120806&catid=


16gb for $50
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10109416&catid=

[Kloubek]

3mb is a pretty big file size.

When you transfer the images, they ARE in jpg format right?

If so, then you likely just have the settings too high. I looked online at the manual, and it shows that the 550 has a setting for "image mode". The "high" setting uses a resolution of 3648X2736 with very low compression. Bringing this setting down to the 2nd "normal" selection will cut the size down about 1/4 I figure.

It really depends what you plan on doing with the image. If you want to just view it on the computer, then that setting should be fine. It will probably work for printing the photos too, but if you want to be sure, you might want to bump it up to the 1st "normal" mode. Only use the "high" mode if you want to blow it up later.

Hope this helps!

[Thaco]

Originally posted by Kloubek
3mb is a pretty big file size.

When you transfer the images, they ARE in jpg format right?

If so, then you likely just have the settings too high. I looked online at the manual, and it shows that the 550 has a setting for "image mode". The "high" setting uses a resolution of 3648X2736 with very low compression. Bringing this setting down to the 2nd "normal" selection will cut the size down about 1/4 I figure.

It really depends what you plan on doing with the image. If you want to just view it on the computer, then that setting should be fine. It will probably work for printing the photos too, but if you want to be sure, you might want to bump it up to the 1st "normal" mode. Only use the "high" mode if you want to blow it up later.

Hope this helps!


ALWAYS shoot as the highest possible setting, you can always downsize, but it doesn't work the other way.

[em2ab]

Use The Gimp to resize your images, it's free and you might find some other useful features with it as well.

[Mitsu3000gt]

If you're looking at getting an SD card higher than 4GB, make sure the camera can handle SDHC cards.

[Thaco]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
If you're looking at getting an SD card higher than 4GB, make sure the camera can handle SDHC cards.

he said he already has a 8gb card, and any camera made in the last couple of years is SDHC compliant, especially major brands like Nikon.

[soupey]

easiest free tool.

www.picturetray.com

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Thaco


he said he already has a 8gb card, and any camera made in the last couple of years is SDHC compliant, especially major brands like Nikon.

Missed what kind he already had - oops.

[89coupe]

Originally posted by mdeluxe
Ok, Im pretty new at digital cameras my last one didnt have this problem. I bought a Nikon s550

But when I take pictures and put them on my computer the files are around 3mB. And if I want to email them I am only able to do a few a email msg.

Can anyone help me to figure out how to make the files smaller. is it the camera? or when i put it on my comp should I be compressing it somehow?

i would just look in the manual... but i cant find it =(

Thanks

edit: is there something on my camera that i have to fix because if im taking 3mb pics on it my 8gb memory card will fill up fast... I bought it because im going on vacation soon.. ill need to have alot of space.

All cameras come with software for editing photos. Just use the batch resize tool that will be included with your camera software.

If you are not sure, just read your manual, it will show you how to do it.

[ZorroAMG]

RTFM.

To do so, go here:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-Camera/26108/COOLPIX-S550.html

Click on Product Manual in Related links on the right side.

[Kloubek]

Originally posted by Thaco


ALWAYS shoot as the highest possible setting, you can always downsize, but it doesn't work the other way.

That's true - but based on his current equipment, he has to in order to get the amount of pictures he wants.

Ideally, getting another memory card is the way to go, so he can maintain the resolution.

[mdeluxe]

Originally posted by Kloubek
3mb is a pretty big file size.

When you transfer the images, they ARE in jpg format right?

If so, then you likely just have the settings too high. I looked online at the manual, and it shows that the 550 has a setting for "image mode". The "high" setting uses a resolution of 3648X2736 with very low compression. Bringing this setting down to the 2nd "normal" selection will cut the size down about 1/4 I figure.

It really depends what you plan on doing with the image. If you want to just view it on the computer, then that setting should be fine. It will probably work for printing the photos too, but if you want to be sure, you might want to bump it up to the 1st "normal" mode. Only use the "high" mode if you want to blow it up later.

Hope this helps!

yes jpg format... ok I was sure that this camera was in some kind of higher resolution.. I just basically want it for snapping a bunch of pics out there.. nothing crazy, i didnt understand why the files were so big.

Thanks! I will check out that online manual to see how its done, thanks for looking into that.

also, even if the pictures are 3mb a piece, I have a 16gb card... thats 2700+ pics... thats alot of pics...I will see how it goes!!


:clap: