What Resolution = What R

I believe those having digital cameras may wonder what photo size (e.g. 4R) does the 1600 x 1200 resolution indicated in the camera translate to. The answer might surprise you. Technically, the answer is none. Apparently, 1600 x 1200 can be used for 4R but it's not the exact resolution.

The following apparently is the mapping between the size of the photo and the resolution (got it from the Internet):

• 3R - 1500x1050
• 4R - 1800x1200 (3:2)
• 5R - 2100x1500
• 6R - 2400x1800 (4:3)
• 8R - 3000x2400 (5:4)
• s8R - 3600x2400 (3:2)

* Numbers in bracket are the aspect ratios

Looking at the resolutions listed above, I do not think the conventional camera has a setting that equate to the above. At least the Canon 870IS that I'm holding does not have any of these settings.

However, the forums did indicate that you can map the photo size to the closest resolution. Using Canon as an example, that would be:

• 3R to 4R - M3 (1600 x 1200)
• 5R - M2 (2048 x 1536)
• 6R - M1 (2592 x 1944)
• 8R - L (3072 x 2304)

I do wonder why the camera makers did not equate the resolution to the photo size. They think that consumers no longer print out their digital photos?