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09.01.2023, 18:32 #1

Hobbyfotografin

Image Formats

16:9 or 4:3?

I always set my camera (Sony A7 IV) to the 16:9 format. A good friend recently told me that this isn’t a smart choice and that I’m losing a lot of quality by doing so. He shoots exclusively in the 4:3 format, which was actually the default setting on my camera.
I’d love to hear your thoughts—am I using the “wrong” format, or is it just a matter of personal preference and doesn’t really matter?

09.01.2023, 19:13 #2

M B

Hobbyfotografin

Dear Gabi, It depends on whether you save your files as RAW or JPEG. Essentially, the entire sensor area is exposed, and all the information should be captured in the RAW files. The sensor—and thus the RAW file—always produces a 4:3 (full-frame) image. However, if you set your camera to 16:9 and save as JPEG, your photo will be cropped. This means you lose some information, but that’s not an issue if you want a 16:9 image anyway. Pros: the photo already looks exactly how you want it. Cons: you lose pixels because not everything is saved (if you’re shooting JPEG).

09.01.2023, 19:26 #3

Gabi Brabenec

Hobbyfotografin

@Maria Bürstmayr - Thanks for your response! I usually save my photos in both RAW and JPG since I have plenty of storage with me. So everything is clear for me now — my boyfriend’s complaining was really unnecessary. I mostly edit just the RAW files anyway. I only use the JPGs occasionally for my own purposes.

09.01.2023, 21:15 #4

M B

Hobbyfotografin

I need to correct myself. Full-frame typically has a 2:3 aspect ratio.

10.01.2023, 10:53 #5

Gabi Brabenec

Hobbyfotografin

@Maria Bürstmayr Thanks

03.05.2025, 09:29 #6

Frank Bräutigam

Semiprofi

There’s another reason why shooting with the full sensor is more advantageous. As photographers, we can’t always keep everything in view while shooting. Whether we need to react quickly because our subject is fleeting or just entering the frame, or we get so caught up in the beauty of a stunning sunset that we “overlook” the big trash bin on the left…

If the image is captured in its original format, we have more room to work with later when cropping to, say, a 16:9 aspect ratio, allowing us to better compose the shot simply because there’s more space available.
Best regards, Frank

03.05.2025, 11:46 #7

Stephan Drechsler

Hobbyfotograf

I completely agree with Frank on this. Ultimately, the image format depends on the chosen crop and how the image will be used. Sometimes it’s just a practical matter of cutting out unwanted or distracting elements. But intentionally cropping or using a unique format can suddenly give a photo a completely different visual impact. You wouldn’t want to limit yourself right from the moment of capture, would you?

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