Canon Powershot

[Vegemite]

Sorry for boring any camera Gurus, but I have just bought a Canon powershot.

I understand pixels but it has another setting for compression.

What is compression and how does it work?

Please forgive my ignorance oh great ones.

And thanks for any info.

[Crossy]

The jpeg system of file compression is 'lossy', in other words to make the file smaller it throws away data, the more compression, the more data is lost (and you can't get it back, ever).

You need know only two things, use the maximum setting for pixels and the minimum setting for compression (I think canon call it superfine). If your memory card won't hold enough pictures, buy a bigger one!

I really don't understand why digital cameras still have adjustments for frame size and compression now that flash memory is so cheap

[Nordlys]

I really don't understand why digital cameras still have adjustments for frame size and compression now that flash memory is so cheap

You have nothing to lose with those features shooting at maximum resolution (superfine). What I regret is new top-of-the-line PowerShot (G7) no longer offers RAW format option available.

[Thaicoon]

Sorry for boring any camera Gurus, but I have just bought a Canon powershot.

I understand pixels but it has another setting for compression.

What is compression and how does it work?

Please forgive my ignorance oh great ones.

And thanks for any info.

What powershot is it, i have the A640 10 million m/Pix, as an everyday camera, brilliant bit of kit.