What picture format is best?

[davidg4781]

I'm planning to upgrade my 64GB 11 Pro to a 512GB (maybe 1TB!) 17 Pro.

I currently have my camera format set to High Efficiency to reduce file size. Since that shouldn't be an issue going forward, should I switch to Most Compatible?

Right now, when I send pictures to someone, it has to either download or convert the file because there's a bit of a delay. I'm guessing with Most Compatible, it wouldn't have to convert. And if it's downloading, that wouldn't be an issue with larger internal storage.

 

[splifingate]

I believe that this depends upon your ultimate goal.

The mantra I have observed in my years of photography is that one takes a Master Photo, and from this, variations can be produced.

It's much easier to produce--through distillation--a photo that is smaller (i.e., less data) than to produce a larger (i.e., more data) from a smaller through extrapolation.

HEIF/HEVC is basically a package-format, which encapsulates the data and a myriad of other factors/variables which can be used to subjectively and objectively frame the data.

Contextual Data, if you will.

With regards to what is captured with the 'Camera' on an iDevice, "Most Compatible" will capture the data in a 'JPEG/H.264" format which aligns more to still images and compatibility.

"High Efficiency" provides the encapsulation *er* focus necessary to fully support the various video formats (HDR, CM, etc.).

Both are entirely valid; and--to-be-sure--the format native to the device should (IMO) always be used. You can always export a 320x240 still from a 60fps 4k video later-on down the road if you choose to do so. The converse is most-probably not possible

I have had great success with adhering to "High Efficiency" on 256GB+ phones/devices. I successfully shoot in both/many formats interchangeably, all the time, and my devices are not full/hindered.

hth

 

[davidg4781]

I believe that this depends upon your ultimate goal.

The mantra I have observed in my years of photography is that one takes a Master Photo, and from this, variations can be produced.

It's much easier to produce--through distillation--a photo that is smaller (i.e., less data) than to produce a larger (i.e., more data) from a smaller through extrapolation.

HEIF/HEVC is basically a package-format, which encapsulates the data and a myriad of other factors/variables which can be used to subjectively and objectively frame the data.

Contextual Data, if you will.

With regards to what is captured with the 'Camera' on an iDevice, "Most Compatible" will capture the data in a 'JPEG/H.264" format which aligns more to still images and compatibility.

"High Efficiency" provides the encapsulation *er* focus necessary to fully support the various video formats (HDR, CM, etc.).

Both are entirely valid; and--to-be-sure--the format native to the device should (IMO) always be used. You can always export a 320x240 still from a 60fps 4k video later-on down the road if you choose to do so. The converse is most-probably not possible

I have had great success with adhering to "High Efficiency" on 256GB+ phones/devices. I successfully shoot in both/many formats interchangeably, all the time, and my devices are not full/hindered.

hth

Thanks. I'll keep them at High Efficiency.

I don't do professional photography or anything. Mostly stuff I see around. But I'd like them to look as best as they can.

 

[splifingate]

Thanks. I'll keep them at High Efficiency.

I don't do professional photography or anything. Mostly stuff I see around. But I'd like them to look as best as they can.

yw

We are joined in this, Brother.

Reach for the summit of Everest, but don't forget to enjoy the creek you swim-in

 

[adrianlondon]

I leave my setting on High Efficiency (HEIC) but export my photos, after editing and adding titles/captions, as JPEG.

I have some oldish software which could probably be made to understand HEIC files, but requires IPTC tags to be available. HEIC doesn't support IPTC. Plus, not everything supports HEIC/HEIF files anyway.

Looking at exports of JPEG and HEIC side-by-side I don't see any difference even as I zoom in. There is, however, a noticeable difference in the file size - HEIC files are smaller as it's a newer format and uses a more modern compression method. I'd like to switch to HEIC everywhere, but can't.