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Reference—Image Quality and Size
28
Image Quality and Size
Together, image quality and size determine how much space each pho to graph
occupies on the memory card.
Image Quality
The camera supports the following image quality options (listed in descending
order by image quality and fi le size):
Mode Description
NEF (RAW)
Raw 12-bit data from the image sensor are saved directly to the memory
card in Nikon Electronic Format (NEF).
JPEG Fine Record JPEG images at a compression ratio of roughly 1 : 4.
*
JPEG Normal Record JPEG images at a compression ratio of roughly 1 : 8.
*
JPEG Basic Record JPEG images at a compression ratio of roughly 1 : 16.
*
NEF (RAW) +
JPEG Fine
Two images are recorded: one NEF (RAW) image and one fi ne-quality
JPEG image.
NEF (RAW) +
JPEG Normal
Two images are recorded: one NEF (RAW) image and one normal-quality
JPEG image.
NEF (RAW) +
JPEG Basic
Two images are recorded: one NEF (RAW) image and one basic-quality
JPEG image.
* Size Priority selected for JPEG Compression (
30).
Image quality can be set using the Image Quality option in the shooting menu
or by pressing the QUAL button and rotating the main command dial. Two op-
tions are available for controlling compression: RAW Compression for NEF
(RAW) images ( 31) and JPEG Compression for JPEG images ( 30).
NEF (RAW) / NEF + JPEG
NEF (RAW) images can only be viewed on a computer using the supplied software or Nikon
Capture 4 Version 4.4 or later (available separately; 182). When photographs taken at
NEF (RAW) + JPEG Fine, NEF (RAW) + JPEG Normal, or NEF (RAW) + JPEG Basic are
viewed on the camera, only the JPEG image will be displayed. When photographs taken at
these settings are deleted, both NEF and JPEG images will be deleted.
White balance bracketing can not be used with NEF (RAW) images. Se lect ing an NEF (RAW)
option for image quality cancels white balance bracketing.
Image Quality, Image Size, and File Size
See the Appendix for information on the number of pictures that can be stored on a mem-
ory card ( 196).