While the resolution that you choose for your digital photos is an important consideration with respect to print size, another very critical issue is the file format in which the photos are saved. Some digital cameras, and especially lower-end models, save all photos in only JPG format. While this format is perfectly acceptable for online use, the compression methods used with JPG format will impact the quality of your pictures when printed. If you’re looking for the highest possible quality in your prints with no loss of detail, consider a digital camera that supports an uncompressed file format such as TIFF or better still, RAW.
Generally speaking, if a camera supports TIFF format, it should also support JPG, allowing you to switch between the two, usually via the LCD menu. While TIFF format is best if you intend to print your photos (either on your own printer or professionally), the associated file sizes are usually more than 20 times larger than a standard JPG. As such, if you intend to use TIFF format for all your photos, you’ll need an awful lot of memory – so choose wisely.
One unfortunate reality is that many photo processing locations will only print digital photos provided in JPG format, and may even charge you an additional conversion fee if you supply them with RAW images. Converting photos on your own is easy using a free program like IrfanView, available at http://www.irfanview.com. When converting TIFFs to JPGs for printing, use the Options button when saving the file and set the Save Quality slide bar to the highest setting – this will result in a larger file size, but ultimately a better-quality print.
