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Image quality describes how well a photograph matches a perceived technical ideal.

learn more… | top users | synonyms (1)

20
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5answers
2k views

Do megapixels matter with modern sensor technology?

Are more megapixels good? Are more megapixels bad? Do more megapixels increase detail? Do they make my images sharper? On the other side, is there a point that is too much? Do megapixels cause ...
23
votes
3answers
1k views

How can I test a new lens to make sure it is operating correctly?

How can I test a new lens to make sure it is operating correctly? I found two similar questions with answers specific to things such as sharpness and focus, but I want to cover any and all possible ...
15
votes
4answers
955 views

Does it give higher quality to shoot in low-res mode in-camera, or to downsize high-res photos later?

Suppose you want to store your photos at some lower resolution, let's say about ~1 MB large. You own a camera able to make photos at 5 MPix and more. And, you want to have the maximum quality at the ...
7
votes
5answers
872 views

How does taking lower-resolution pictures with a higher-resolution sensor affect image quality?

Does taking a picture with 8 megapixel resolution with my Canon IXUS with a 1/2.3" sensor and 12M max resolution provides the same or worse image quality (particular, noise) as if the picture was ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views

When shooting in mRAW or sRAW, how does the camera generate smaller files?

Most mid- and high-end DLSRs offer two or three sizes for RAW capture. When the camera is generating the medium or small sized RAW files, how does it make them smaller? Does it capture less ...
21
votes
3answers
2k views

With all other things equal, in a DSLR, will a larger sensor produce a sharper image?

I asked a question a while ago here about the "sweet spot" of a lens, which led to a really interesting discussion of "sharpness", the physics of light, and general image quality. 1st Question In ...
23
votes
18answers
1k views

What are some techniques for hand-held image stabilization?

My zoom lens (75-300mm) is fairly slow: 5.6 at its farthest point. (I think it's 3.5-5.6, and it's not image stabilizing. I'm on a budget, sadly!) Unfortunately, my primary use for it is hand-held ...
15
votes
6answers
3k views

What are jpeg artifacts and what can be done about them?

I know JPEG is a "lossy" compression algorithm that discards information in order to save space. What is the visual impact of this? I've heard of "JPEG artifacts". What do these look like? Are there ...
15
votes
1answer
481 views

Will I lose image quality by adjusting white balance in post processing?

I understand that if I shoot in RAW, post processing software like Lightroom is capable of adjusting colour temperature and tint to my desire. Will I lose any image quality in process? Or is it as ...
34
votes
3answers
14k views

What is moiré? How can we avoid it?

What is the image defect called "moiré"? What causes it, and how can we avoid or reduce it? Is it related to "false color"?
16
votes
11answers
9k views

How does the lens diameter influence photo quality?

I have tested two different 50mm lenses in my camera. One was a Nikkor 50mm ∅52mm. The other one was a Sigma 50mm ∅72mm. I took some pictures with both lenses using the same setup for aperture and ...
9
votes
2answers
629 views

What characteristics make a good lens good?

When reading lens reviews on the Internet, I often find subjective statements about the image quality that a lens produces, such as "good contrast" or "sharp". The problem is that I don't think I am ...
8
votes
5answers
2k views

Can anyone recommend *freeware* to reduce motion blur by deconvolution?

Can anyone please recommend free (preferably also portable i.e. no need to install) software for Windows XP or later to improve image quality of large (12 megapixel) terrestrial (not astronomical) ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views

Pentax K-5: Is it worth using the Premium JPEG quality setting?

Similar: How do I choose which resolution (megapixel) and compression (normal, fine, superfine) to shoot in? The Pentax K-5 has a JPEG quality setting called "Premium", denoted by four stars, which ...
4
votes
1answer
116 views

What characteristics make a digital sensor good?

Generally, the technical image quality of a digital image (before we get to the post-processing stage) is the product of the characteristics of the lens and the recording medium, with an important ...
6
votes
4answers
806 views

Does noise in images depend upon “Megapixels” or “ISO”?

I have a question about image quality. Does noise in an image is depends upon "Megapixels" or on "ISO"?
6
votes
4answers
510 views

Is it possible for a lens to produce too much contrast?

I came across a complaint that a certain lens produces too much contrast. The lens was described as rendering "cartoonish" contrast when shooting a portrait with diffused light from a window, where ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views

What is the difference between image size and image quality?

I have a Casio EX-S12. It has a setting for image size, but also a separate setting for what it calls "image quality". There are three image quality values: "Fine", "Normal", and "Economy". The Casio ...
2
votes
1answer
267 views

How can I get objective, numerical Image Quality measurements for my photos?

I intend to take some raw images using my Canon-450D, and process them offline using some tool. Then I need to get some objective(numerical) metrics for those images like Image Noise, Image ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views

What causes outdoor photos to turn out bright white when taken with a digital camera?

I set my Canon Powershot A460 to automatic mode and took photographs outdoors. When I see the to-be-photographed area on the LCD, it appears normal; but when I take a picture, the photo turns out ...
-1
votes
2answers
1k views

What's the max size a photo can be enlarged while preserving the same image quality? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Is it possible to increase the pixel density of an image? Is there a general formula for image size vs. print size? Can one of the many photo editors max a photo ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views

How can these photos have so high quality?

Today, I ended up in a site showing famous people faces in a very first plane. I just got impressed by the quality those photos had. What do you think are the factors you have to tweak to reach that ...
13
votes
6answers
388 views

Are there any important considerations for stock photos?

I have quite a few photos, some of which I consider to be particularly good. I've been thinking of putting some up on stock photo sites (that's another discussion), but have been wondering about image ...
37
votes
11answers
3k views

Should I keep Image Stabilization (IS) off when I do not actually need it?

I own a Canon 7D and a EF-S 15-85 IS lens and I keep the image stabilization turned on all the time. Recently, an experienced photographer told me that this is a huge mistake because it reduces image ...
20
votes
8answers
2k views

How much “noise” is acceptable in a photograph?

I've been at photography for a little over a year, and I primarily do landscape and wildlife/bird photography. Most of my work has been a learning experience so far, with few shots actually something ...
15
votes
5answers
697 views

How do I find the aperture that produces the highest-quality images for a given lens?

I'm not talking about large aperture (f/1.8, f/2.8...), rather, about small apertures (f/18, f/20, f/23...). I read somewhere (actually I think it was on this site, but I don't exactly remember which ...
8
votes
4answers
546 views

What is the meaning of these Photodune reasons for rejection?

I wanted some advice, I am new to photography, I posted an image on Photodune for sale and it was rejected because of: Element or framing composition Noise, exposure, lighting or saturation ...
7
votes
4answers
955 views

How to take sharp photos while using maximum optical zoom?

When I shoot with high zoom (above 3X on my point-and-shoot camera), the sharpness of the picture seems to come down. Is it a feature of all cameras or is it due to higher sensitivity to camera shakes ...
6
votes
5answers
413 views

What parameters can I use to evaluate a “Perceptual Image Quality”?

Might be a naive question, but I want to fix few subjective metrics / parameters which would let me decide image quality. I mean, I can use some objective metrics like Mean Squared Error or Mean ...
11
votes
6answers
1k views

Does stacking more lens filters decrease overall image quality?

As stated by @t3mujin in another thread's comments: Stacking filters will decrease image quality, as it's another piece of glass light has to go through before reaching the sensor. I was ...
7
votes
4answers
382 views

What does IQ mean?

I see a lot of questions which mention IQ. The only meaning I know outside photography is "intelligence quotient" but obviously IQ has some other meaning here. IQ is used for example in "Lens with ...
11
votes
1answer
2k views

Does image quality of a lens depend on the camera used?

I recently bought a Canon 50mm f1.8 for my Canon 1000d. But, I find that the images are not as sharp as those I saw in the reviews or any other images taken using other cameras like the 550d and ...
9
votes
7answers
3k views

Why does using flash sometimes create these white spots in the photo?

I have an Olympus FE-190. When I take a picture, with flash on Digital Image Stabilizer (DIS) mode, I get white spots in pictures. This doesn't happen always. There is only an option called Pixel ...
7
votes
3answers
547 views

Why are macros from my new DSLR no better than those from my P&S?

I have been using a 14mp point and shoot for a couple of years. I like to take macros of flowers, frost and bugs. I want to keep zooming in on my PC to see deeper into the flower, so I bought a 18mp ...
5
votes
7answers
2k views

Are there websites which compare digital cameras based on technical image quality?

There are lot of sites, which compare digital cameras by parameters, user experience and etc. I looking for a website which has some kind of procedure to test image quality and compares digital ...
4
votes
5answers
575 views

How can I resize more than 2GB of travel photography with no quality compromise?

I have more then two gigabytes of travel photography. Each image takes up than 4 to 5 megabytes. I have to send them to some one. How can I resize all images while retaining high image quality?
4
votes
3answers
283 views

What feature in a digital camera do I want to give better quality pictures?

Five years ago I bought the Canon PowerShot S2 IS and loved the pictures it took. All pictures were very sharp and overall I was very happy with the camera. Last year I "upgraded" to the Panasonic ...
3
votes
4answers
729 views

Why does the quality of my pictures lower the more I zoom in?

I have a Canon 60D with the 18-200mm kit Lens. I was at the beach not too long ago, I took some pics of my son in the sand, from a very close distance and they came out great. Picture quality was top ...
2
votes
3answers
567 views

Lens with small scratches on the front element - how do they affect IQ?

I am looking to buy a CANON 28mm 1.8 EF lens. I found an offer, significantly discounted, of a lens with small scratches on the front element. The offer is very tempting. Here is a photo posted by ...
2
votes
1answer
355 views

Does reducing JPG resolution decrease, increase, or have no effect on image quality?

I'm getting ready to download a bunch of images from microstock photo agency Dreamstime. I'll eventually want most of the images in the 400x300 pixel range for my website when I'm done working with ...
2
votes
7answers
4k views

Is there an IQ gain from Canon's 18-135 to 24-105L?

Just got a Canon 40D body, and was about to get Canon's 24-105L lens. I hear people raving about the lens, and it all made sense until I saw a Cameralabs' review of the lens. So don’t buy the EF ...
1
vote
3answers
271 views

How many megapixels are needed on a smartphone to take above quality photos?

Just regular above quality photos for Facebook and normal things.
1
vote
3answers
153 views

What are some good online forums for discussing photographic editing?

What are some good forums for talking about editing photos in Photoshop or GIMP? Where do you talk about such things? EDIT: Other than here, of course.
-1
votes
2answers
160 views

How to reduce the image resolution to increase ppi?

Having an photo of 4000x3000 resolution with 240ppi. Is it possible get a resolution of 400x300 resolution but with higher ppi?If possible how to do that?