Was listening to the FroKnowsPhoto podcast http://froknowsphoto.com/rawtalk-82/ at around 40 minutes in (some don't like him either, but at least he gives decent advice), and he was going on about the review Ken Rockwell did on the D3300...and one part in particular stood out, and that is the image settings:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3300/users-guide/index.htm
Image Quality top
I use BASIC JPG.
To set this, use:
MENU > CAMERA icon > Image quality > JPEG basic > OK.
The default of JPEG Normal wastes twice as much space in your computer, lets fewer photos fit on a memory card, and makes the data take twice as long to transfer or email.
Since the pictures look the same at BASIC, I use it so more pictures fit on my card, and more importantly, I don't clog up my computer and everything transfers, copies and sends twice as fast. FINE is twice as big again as NORMAL.
The D3300 can't make a bad image even at it's lowest setting. The NORMAL, FINE and NEF RAW modes are for people who don't mind fitting only 12 images on a card. The pictures really do look the same; try it and see if you're curious. I did, which is why I shoot JPG BASIC.
This also can be set at the INFO screen using the < i > button.
More details at the SHOOTING Menu.
Image Size top
I use LARGE (24MP) or MEDIUM (13MP) for landscapes, and SMALL (6MP) for family photos.
Large is the default, but unless you want to print everything twenty feet (6m) wide, the Small setting also lets you make prints of any size (20 x 30" or 50 x 75cm is easy) and saves even more room on your computer and memory cards.
I'm serious: even at the Small setting you've got 6 very sharp megapixels, which is more than enough to print at any size if your photo is in focus in the first place. I've sold photos to McDonald's with cameras set down to 4 MP — and McDonalds used those for billboards.
To set this, use:
MENU > CAMERA icon > Image size > Large, Medium or Small.
This also can be set at the INFO screen using the i button.
More details at the SHOOTING Menu.
Now..we all know that this is HORRIBLE advise to give to ANY photographer, especially those starting out new (as those who would buy a D3300 typically are). Saying the camera can't take a bad picture and to use BASIC jpeg? Raw only fitting 12 images on a card? This is disgusting false information to give to anybody.
Sorry for the rant...but It infuriates me as someone who TRIES to give people useful help whenever possible. This guys site is WAY too popular for all the flat out crap he posts.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3300/users-guide/index.htm
Image Quality top
I use BASIC JPG.
To set this, use:
MENU > CAMERA icon > Image quality > JPEG basic > OK.
The default of JPEG Normal wastes twice as much space in your computer, lets fewer photos fit on a memory card, and makes the data take twice as long to transfer or email.
Since the pictures look the same at BASIC, I use it so more pictures fit on my card, and more importantly, I don't clog up my computer and everything transfers, copies and sends twice as fast. FINE is twice as big again as NORMAL.
The D3300 can't make a bad image even at it's lowest setting. The NORMAL, FINE and NEF RAW modes are for people who don't mind fitting only 12 images on a card. The pictures really do look the same; try it and see if you're curious. I did, which is why I shoot JPG BASIC.
This also can be set at the INFO screen using the < i > button.
More details at the SHOOTING Menu.
Image Size top
I use LARGE (24MP) or MEDIUM (13MP) for landscapes, and SMALL (6MP) for family photos.
Large is the default, but unless you want to print everything twenty feet (6m) wide, the Small setting also lets you make prints of any size (20 x 30" or 50 x 75cm is easy) and saves even more room on your computer and memory cards.
I'm serious: even at the Small setting you've got 6 very sharp megapixels, which is more than enough to print at any size if your photo is in focus in the first place. I've sold photos to McDonald's with cameras set down to 4 MP — and McDonalds used those for billboards.
To set this, use:
MENU > CAMERA icon > Image size > Large, Medium or Small.
This also can be set at the INFO screen using the i button.
More details at the SHOOTING Menu.
Now..we all know that this is HORRIBLE advise to give to ANY photographer, especially those starting out new (as those who would buy a D3300 typically are). Saying the camera can't take a bad picture and to use BASIC jpeg? Raw only fitting 12 images on a card? This is disgusting false information to give to anybody.
Sorry for the rant...but It infuriates me as someone who TRIES to give people useful help whenever possible. This guys site is WAY too popular for all the flat out crap he posts.