Reference Manual

77More on Photography
Together, image quality and size determine how much space
each photograph occupies on the memory card. Larger, higher
quality images can be printed at larger sizes but also require
more memory, meaning that fewer such images can be stored
on the memory card (0 308).
Image Quality
Choose a file format and compression ratio (image quality).
Image Quality and Size
Option File type Description
NEF (RAW) +
JPEG fine
NEF/JPEG
Record two copies of each photo: an NEF
(RAW) image and a JPEG copy. Only the JPEG
copy is displayed during playback, but
deleting the JPEG copy also deletes the NEF
(RAW) image. The NEF (RAW) image can only
be viewed using a computer.
NEF (RAW) NEF
Record RAW data from the image sensor with
no additional processing.
JPEG fine
JPEG
Record photos in JPEG format. Compression
increases and file size decreases as quality
progresses from “fine” through “normal” to
“basic”.
JPEG normal
JPEG basic
A NEF (RAW)
Information on camera settings such as exposure compensation, white
balance, and Picture Controls are stored separately from the raw data
from the image sensor and can later be modified as often as desired
with no deterioration in image quality. You can either copy the images
to a computer and adjust settings using Nikon’s ViewNX-i or
Capture NX-D software, which can be downloaded free of charge from
the Nikon Download Center, or use the NEF (RAW) processing item in
the camera retouch menu. NEF (RAW) images are recorded in NEF
format (extension “*.nef”).