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Recording pixels option when set to Large 14M 4320x3240, in Canon PowerShot SX 210 IS, puts black bars on the vertical sides of the screen. The shot is NOT thus fully seen in its LCD screen.

Why is this happening? Is this normal?

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    \$\begingroup\$ and how about mentioning the reasons for down vote? \$\endgroup\$
    – Aquarius_Girl
    Jun 29, 2011 at 6:59
  • \$\begingroup\$ The question is fine for me, maybe you could try a more descriptive name so that it will be easier for other people with the same doubt to find it? \$\endgroup\$
    – Francesco
    Jun 29, 2011 at 7:58
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    \$\begingroup\$ @anisha I don't have great editing powers, so it was easier to suggest you to do it. \$\endgroup\$
    – Francesco
    Jun 29, 2011 at 8:03
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    \$\begingroup\$ @Anisha if you have gained enough points you can edit the post of another user. This edit is only a proposal that the mods will then check and maybe commit. \$\endgroup\$
    – Leonidas
    Jun 29, 2011 at 10:43
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    \$\begingroup\$ It's not just mods — anyone with enough reputation can approve an edit. That means no one will get overwhelmed, so edit away without fear of annoying anyone. (And you get a small rep gain when your edits are accepted.) Once you hit 3000, you can make edits directly with no need for approval. \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Jun 29, 2011 at 12:16

1 Answer 1

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The LCD screen on your camera is a 16:9 aspect ratio, so when you shoot in a 4:3 aspect ratio, it puts black bars in the 'extra' space.

Aspect ratio is just the ratio of the height and the width of your image. Your LCD is a 'widescreen' LCD with a fairly common ratio of 16:9, however, most digital pictures are shot at 4:3. When you change your camera to this format (4:3), the camera does its best to fit as much of the picture in your LCD without cutting anything off. What this means is that the center 2.5" of your 3" is really only used on most 'normal ' pictures, the rest shows black bars.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ @Anisha Kaul - No problem. \$\endgroup\$
    – rfusca
    Jun 29, 2011 at 7:07
  • \$\begingroup\$ and shooting on a 4:3 aspect ratio is better than 16:9, in terms of quality? \$\endgroup\$
    – Aquarius_Girl
    Jun 29, 2011 at 7:09
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    \$\begingroup\$ Your sensor is probably 4:3, so to make the image 16:9, the camera throws away a strip at the top and bottom. \$\endgroup\$
    – Evan Krall
    Jun 29, 2011 at 7:33
  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks @Evan , does aspect ratio has to do anything with the quality? \$\endgroup\$
    – Aquarius_Girl
    Jun 29, 2011 at 7:41
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    \$\begingroup\$ See What are the advantages of shooting a particular aspect ratio? \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Jun 29, 2011 at 12:19

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