M8 - low resolution modes

[geotrupede]

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I was reading the manual and realised that there are few low resolution modes to choose from (1mp, 6mp,...).

I was wondering if these modes use a reduced number of pixels on the sensor when the picture is taken or instead the picture is taken as usual and downsampled via software.

Does anybody knows?

Any idea?

Thanks

G

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[Nicoleica]

As far as I know this is achieved in software, and only applies to JPG files. Whichever setting you choose, DNG files are always saved at full resolution. The same applies for compression settings, these only affect the JPG files.

[dpattinson]

I'm pretty sure it's software, not pixel bucketing or anything that would give a benefit in image quality. It just saves space is all.

[ho_co]

Third vote for the same.

 

I think all cameras use all pixels to make a picture, then downsample in firmware.

 

Not sure about fullframe Nikon cameras which automatically switch to "crop mode" when an APS-C lens is attached. That would probably require using just the central part of the sensor.

 

But that's different from reducing file size from a given sensor configuration, which is what you're asking about.

[steve_l]

I believe I read long ago in this forum that the low resolution modes do not provide any advantage in noise reduction (effectively larger photosites could theoretically do that), which would be a reason to use them beyond simple space saving....