Image recording options (image area, quality, and size).

Changing image area

Use the [Choose image area] item in the photo shooting menu to change the image area. The following options are available:

OptionDescription
a[DX (24×16)]Pictures are recorded with an image area of 23.5×15.7 mm (DX format). To calculate the approximate focal length of the lens in 35mm format, multiply by 1.5.
m[1:1 (16×16)]Pictures are recorded with an aspect ratio of 1:1.
Z[16:9 (24×14)]Pictures are recorded with an aspect ratio of 16:9.
1DX (24×16)
21:1 (16×16)
316:9 (24×14)

Changing image quality

Use the [Image quality] item in the photo shooting menu to choose the image quality option employed when photographs are recorded.

OptionDescription
[RAW + JPEG/HEIF fine]Record two copies of each photo: an NEF (RAW) picture and either a JPEG or HEIF copy.
  • When [SDR] is selected for [Tone mode] in the photo shooting menu, the camera will record an NEF (RAW) picture and a JPEG copy. When [HLG] is selected for [Tone mode] in the photo shooting menu, the camera will record an NEF (RAW) picture and an HEIF copy.
  • The image quality of a JPEG or HEIF copy decreases from “fine”, to “normal”, and to “basic”.
  • The camera displays only the JPEG or HEIF copy of dual-format pictures.
  • Deleting the JPEG or HEIF copy on the camera will also delete the NEF (RAW) picture.
[RAW + JPEG/HEIF normal]
[RAW + JPEG/HEIF basic]
[RAW]Record photos in NEF (RAW) format.
[JPEG/HEIF fine]Record photos in JPEG or HEIF format. The image quality decreases from “fine”, to “normal”, and to “basic”.
  • Photos are recorded in JPEG format when [SDR] is selected for [Tone mode] in the photo shooting menu. Photos are recorded in HEIF when [HLG] is selected for [Tone mode] in the photo shooting menu.
[JPEG/HEIF normal]
[JPEG/HEIF basic]

NEF (RAW)

  • RAW files have the extension “*.nef”.
  • The process of converting RAW files to JPEG and other widely-supported formats is referred to as “RAW processing”. A variety of settings can be adjusted during this process, including exposure compensation, white balance, and Picture Controls.
  • RAW processing has no effect on the original RAW data, meaning that it can be repeated as often and using as many different combinations of settings as desired while maintaining image quality.
  • NEF (RAW) processing can be performed using [Retouch] > [RAW processing (current picture)] or [RAW processing (multiple pictures)] in the playback i menu or on a computer using Nikon’s NX Studio software. NX Studio is available free-of-charge from the Nikon Download Center.

Choosing an image size

Image size

Use [Image size] in the photo shooting menu to choose a size for new photographs. The size for photographs recorded in formats other than NEF (RAW) can be chosen from [Large], [Medium], and [Small].

  • NEF (RAW) pictures are recorded at a size of [Large].

The number of pixels in the picture varies with the option selected for image area (Changing image area).

Image areaImage sizeSize (cm/in.) when printed at 300 dpi
[DX (24×16)]Large (5568 × 3712 pixels)Approx. 47.1 × 31.4 cm/18.5 × 12.4 in.
Medium (4176 × 2784 pixels)Approx. 35.4 × 23.6 cm/13.9 × 9.3 in.
Small (2784 × 1856 pixels)Approx. 23.6 × 15.7 cm/9.3 × 6.2 in.
[1:1 (16×16)]Large (3712 × 3712 pixels)Approx. 31.4 × 31.4 cm/12.4 × 12.4 in.
Medium (2784 × 2784 pixels)Approx. 23.6 × 23.6 cm/9.3 × 9.3 in.
Small (1856 × 1856 pixels)Approx. 15.7 × 15.7 cm/6.2 × 6.2 in.
[16:9 (24×14)]Large (5568 × 3128 pixels)Approx. 47.1 × 26.5 cm/18.6 × 10.4 in.
Medium (4176 × 2344 pixels)Approx. 35.4 × 19.8 cm/13.9 × 7.8 in.
Small (2784 × 1560 pixels)Approx. 23.6 × 13.2 cm/9.3 × 5.2 in.

Print size

Print size in inches equals image size in pixels divided by printer resolution in dots per inch (dpi; 1 inch = 2.54 cm).