Image Recording Options (Image Area, Quality, and Size)
Adjusting Image Area Settings
Image area settings can be displayed by selecting [
Choose Image Area
Choose the image area. The following options are available:
Option |
Description |
|
---|---|---|
c |
[ ] |
Images are recorded in FX format with an angle of view equivalent to a NIKKOR lens on a 35 mm format camera. |
a |
[ ] |
Images are recorded in DX format. To calculate the approximate focal length of the lens in 35 mm format, multiply by 1.5. |
m |
[ ] |
Pictures are recorded with an aspect ratio of 1 : 1. |
Z |
[ ] |
Pictures are recorded with an aspect ratio of 16 : 9. |

1 |
FX (36×24) |
---|---|
2 |
DX (24×16) |
3 |
1 : 1 (24×24) |
4 |
16 : 9 (36×20) |
---|---|
5 |
DX format (24×16) image circle |
6 |
FX format (36×24) image circle |
DX lenses are designed for use with DX format cameras and have a smaller angle of view than lenses for 35 mm format cameras. If [
] is off and an option other than [ ] (DX format) is selected for [ ] when a DX lens is attached, the edges of the image may be eclipsed. This may not be apparent in the viewfinder, but when the images are played back you may notice a drop in resolution or that the edges of the picture are blacked out.If [
] has been assigned to a button using Custom Setting f3 [ ], the image area can be selected by pressing the button and rotating a command dial.-
The selected crop is displayed in the viewfinder (Choose Image Area).
-
The option currently selected for image area can be displayed in the control panel and viewfinder by pressing the button to which [
] is assigned.
Image area |
Display |
---|---|
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
|
-
Camera controls cannot be used to select image area when a DX lens is attached and [
] is on.
Image size varies with the option selected for image area.
[ ]
Choose whether the camera automatically selects the [
] (DX format) image area when a DX lens is attached.
Option |
Description |
---|---|
[ ] |
The camera automatically selects the [ ] (DX format) image area when a DX lens is attached. |
[ ] |
Automatic image-area selection disabled. |
The Viewfinder Mask Display
If [ ] is selected, the area outside crop ([ ] excepted) will be shown in gray in the viewfinder.

Adjusting Image Quality
Choose the image quality option used when photographs are recorded.
Option |
Description |
---|---|
[ ] |
Record two copies of each photo: an NEF (RAW) image and a JPEG copy.
|
[ ] |
|
[m] |
|
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
Record photos in NEF (RAW) format. |
[ ] |
Record photos in JPEG format. ”Fine” produces higher quality pictures than ”normal” and ”normal” higher quality pictures than “basic”.
|
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
-
NEF (RAW) image files (extension “*.nef”) contain the raw data output from the image sensor.
-
Using Nikon’s ViewNX‑i or Capture NX‑D software, you can adjust and re-adjust settings such as exposure compensation and white balance as often as you please without degrading image quality, making this format ideal for photos that will be processed in multiple different ways. ViewNX‑i and Capture NX‑D are available free-of-charge from the Nikon Download Center.
-
The process of converting NEF (RAW) images to other formats such as JPEG is referred to as “NEF (RAW) processing”. You can save NEF (RAW) images in other formats using the ViewNX‑i and Capture NX‑D computer applications or the [
] option in the camera retouch menu.
Choosing an Image Quality Option
During viewfinder photography, you can choose an image quality option by holding the X (T) button and rotating the main command dial.
|
|
|
Image quality can also be adjusted using the [
] item in the photo shooting menu. Use the [ ] item in the photo shooting menu to adjust image quality during live view.If [
] is selected for [ ] when photographs are taken at image quality settings of NEF (RAW) + JPEG, the NEF (RAW) copy will be saved to the card in Slot 1 and the JPEG copy to the card in Slot 2.Choosing an Image Size
Choose a size for new JPEG pictures. The size for JPEG pictures can be selected from [ ], [ ], and [ ]. The number of pixels in the image varies with the option selected for image area ( Adjusting Image Area Settings ).
Image area |
Option |
Size (pixels) |
Print size (cm/in.) * |
---|---|---|---|
[ ] (FX format) |
Large |
6048 × 4024 |
51.2 × 34.1/20.2 × 13.4 |
Medium |
4528 × 3016 |
38.3 × 25.5/15.1 × 10.1 |
|
Small |
3024 × 2016 |
25.6 × 17.1/10.1 × 6.7 |
|
[ ] (DX format) |
Large |
3936 × 2624 |
33.3 × 22.2/13.1 × 8.7 |
Medium |
2944 × 1968 |
24.9 × 16.7/9.8 × 6.6 |
|
Small |
1968 × 1312 |
16.7 × 11.1/6.6 × 4.4 |
|
[ ] |
Large |
4016 × 4016 |
34.0 × 34.0/13.4 × 13.4 |
Medium |
3008 × 3008 |
25.5 × 25.5/10.0 × 10.0 |
|
Small |
2000 × 2000 |
16.9 × 16.9/6.7 × 6.7 |
|
[ ] |
Large |
6048 × 3400 |
51.2 × 28.8/20.2 × 11.3 |
Medium |
4528 × 2544 |
38.3 × 21.5/15.1 × 8.5 |
|
Small |
3024 × 1696 |
25.6 × 14.4/10.1 × 5.7 |
-
Approximate size when printed at 300 dpi. Print size in inches equals image size in pixels divided by printer resolution in dots per inch (dpi; 1 inch = approximately 2.54 cm).
Choosing an Image Size
During viewfinder photography, you can choose the image size by holding the X (T) button and rotating the sub-command dial.
|
|
|
Image size for JPEG images can also be adjusted using the [
] item in the photo shooting menu. Use the [ ] item in the photo shooting menu to adjust image size during live view.