pixel resolution reduction in iPad Photo

Question

Level 2

458 points

pixel resolution reduction in iPad Photo

My camera takes 10.2 megapixel HD images. I discovered that photos imported via a SD card reader into the iPad have the same picture dimensions (3648x2064) as with an iPhoto import but on the iPad there is only 44% the resolution of the same file imported into iPhoto. In iPhoto the photo is 3.6 MG and on the iPad the same photo is only 1.6 MG. A loss of 2MG of pixel! That effectively reduces the picture to 4.5 megapixel resolution.

Guess there is a reason for it, but it does make the iPad only useful as a way to quick view photo work, but the full resolution pictures would still have to be loaded into iPhoto, NOT synced from iPad. (or have I missed something in some kind of prefs?)

G4 1.8 Ghz dual Quicksilver/wifi iPad, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 1.12 GB ram, 1.33 TB storage on 2 internal, 2 extenal firewire, iPad

Posted on Jan 30, 2011 1:11 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,707 points

Jan 30, 2011 1:24 PM in response to Derryl S

The pics will be full resolution if you bring them into the iPad via the (optional) Camera Connection Kit. In fact, you can put the pics on the iPad and subsequently transfer them to your computer and they will be no different than those that were loaded from the camera directly to the computer.

I suspect that, when viewing pics on the iPad, you will not observe any difference between "full quality" and "optimized." My belief is that the optimization is because of the viewing capability of the iPad. In fact, even when I'm using my Mac, my only reason for maintaining full quality is for PhotoShop manipulation (especially if cropping) and/or printing to hard copy (especially enlargements).

Rumor has it that owning a Nikon SLR improves one's sex life.

Reply

Answer 2

Derryl S Author

Level 2

458 points

Jan 30, 2011 2:25 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Philly, I am confused. If the SD adapter does not transfer pictures at full resolution, then how would pictures even get on the iPad except being synced to the Mac or being some sort of mail attachment so they could be transferred to the Mac at full resolution (as you stated)? I have seen in syncing that iTunes says is optimizing photos, so it appears That iPhoto to iPad transfer is probably reduced in pixel concentration.

I am talking of having typically over 500 photos to look over in a few days being taken on a trip. Can't lug around my desktop Mac to look at the pics. 🙂

Reply

Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jan 30, 2011 2:35 PM in response to Derryl S

Basically, the iPad contains two photos of large (like RAW) files imported via the CCK. One is the native file from the camera and the other is the optimized one for viewing on the iPad.

Reply

Answer 4

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,707 points

Jan 30, 2011 2:38 PM in response to Derryl S

I'm confused why you're confused. This is what I said (italics added this time):

The pics +will be full resolution if you bring them into the iPad via the (optional) Camera Connection Kit+. In fact, you can put the pics on the iPad and subsequently transfer them to your computer and +they will be no different than those that were loaded from the camera directly to the computer.+

The reduction in quality occurs ONLY if the pics go FROM the Mac TO the iPad via iTunes/cable configuration.

Reply

Answer 5

Jan 30, 2011 2:56 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Philly_Phan wrote:
........The reduction in quality occurs ONLY if the pics go FROM the Mac TO the iPad via iTunes/cable configuration.

That's true, but there's also an internal reduction in quality that takes place, as in where received RAW images are down-converted to JPEGs for viewing and editing on the iPad itself. I don't think there are any apps that work on RAW files in the iOS/iPad but I suppose it might be possible, barely. I haven't checked.

Message was edited by: Michael Morgan1

Reply

Answer 6

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,707 points

Jan 30, 2011 3:05 PM in response to Michael Morgan1

Michael Morgan1 wrote:

Philly_Phan wrote:
........The reduction in quality occurs ONLY if the pics go FROM the Mac TO the iPad via iTunes/cable configuration.

That's true, but there's also an internal reduction in quality that takes place, as in where received RAW images are down-converted to JPEGs for viewing and editing on the iPad itself. I don't think there are any apps that work on RAW files in the iOS/iPad but I suppose it might be possible, barely. I haven't checked.

Message was edited by: Michael Morgan1

Just to wrap this up, please confirm that there is no reduction in quality, resolution, etc. in the absence of editing.

Reply

Answer 7

Jan 30, 2011 3:37 PM in response to Philly_Phan

I suppose that there is not, aside from the automatic and unavoidable one when they're reprocessed for display in Photos. None of that affects the original file.

Reply

Answer 8

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Jan 30, 2011 3:47 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Just to wrap this up, please confirm that there is no reduction in quality, resolution, etc. in the absence of editing.

correct.
When pix are added to the iPad using a camera connection kit, the photo is imported as it is on the camera (full resolution).
The iPad Photo app will also create a new version, which is 2304 x 1536. This is for display on the iPad.
When syncing the photos back to the computer, only the original, untouched photo will get copied to the computer.
When syncing photos to the iPad thru iTunes, the photos get reduced/optimized to 2304 x 1536, if they are larger than this.

Reply

Answer 9

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,707 points

Jan 30, 2011 3:49 PM in response to Chris CA

Chris CA wrote:

Just to wrap this up, please confirm that there is no reduction in quality, resolution, etc. in the absence of editing.

correct.
When pix are added to the iPad using a camera connection kit, the photo is imported as it is on the camera (full resolution).
The iPad Photo app will also create a new version, which is 2304 x 1536. This is for display on the iPad.
When syncing the photos back to the computer, only the original, untouched photo will get copied to the computer.
When syncing photos to the iPad thru iTunes, the photos get reduced/optimized to 2304 x 1536, if they are larger than this.

Good. Thanks. I was concerned that I may have misled the OP.

Reply

Answer 10

Derryl S Author

Level 2

458 points

Jan 30, 2011 4:37 PM in response to Philly_Phan

I can only say that the same picture uploaded to iPhoto and to the iPad (with the camera connection kit, then synched to iPhoto) are not the same size when they end up in iPhoto. The direct to iPhoto is 3.6 MG. The same file to iPad, then synched to iPhoto is only 1.6 MG, a 44% reduction in resolution.
In neither case were the pictures altered, but just what was read from the SD card. My camera does not have raw format, just HD jpg at minimal compression. The iPad does not sync to iPhoto a file the same size it was given as clearly shown by the iPhoto info dialog box on both files.

Reply

Answer 11

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,707 points

Jan 30, 2011 4:59 PM in response to Derryl S

I can't respond to your latest post as I do not use the CCK. I based my earlier comments on what others have told me. For example, refer to Chris' response to me.

By the way, what's an "MG?" Initially, I thought that it was a typo and you meant MB but, seeing you use MG again has me wondering.

Reply

Answer 12

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Jan 30, 2011 5:08 PM in response to Derryl S

I see absolutely no difference (size, date, quality, etc.) in photos copied from Camera to iPad-CCK to iPhoto vs. Camera to iPhoto.

Reply

Answer 13

Derryl S Author

Level 2

458 points

Jan 30, 2011 5:41 PM in response to Chris CA

I need to turn off the auto correct on this iPad. It was MB (megabyte)

The only thing I know is the identical file imported into iPhoto 2 different ways are NOT the same size in MY Mac and iPad.

Reply

Answer 14

Jan 30, 2011 5:51 PM in response to Derryl S

Could be. I was talking RAW myself, not JPEG.

Reply

Answer 15

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Jan 30, 2011 6:07 PM in response to Derryl S

Are you using the same way to get them onto the iPad and the computer? Either a USB into CCK and computer or SD Card into iPad and computer.
Which camera?
-> iPad: Using the iPad Camera Connection Kit"

How about this?
"If your camera supports both PTP and Mass Storage Device modes, it may be necessary to use both modes to import all media content. If some files do not import as expected using one mode, try switching to the other mode and importing again. Note: Some cameras may refer to PTP as Pictbridge or PTP/Pictbridge."

Reply