About Digital Image Resolution

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ABOUT RESOLUTION
UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL IMAGE RESOLUTION
PRINT RESOLUTION CHART | 35mm SCAN RESOLUTION CHART | MF/Xpan SCAN RESOLUTION CHART

Digital Images

Before we can discuss digital image resolution, we must clarify a few things about digital images.

Digital images are made up of pixels. Pixels (short for picture elements) are the small sections of
color and/or tone that together form a digital image. Pixels form an image like pieces of a mosaic. A
digital image is a grid of pixels. When the pixels are viewed together in proper registration, the
image is formed. When there are enough pixels and they are small enough so as not to be
individually discernible, the digital image can achieve photo quality. Increased magnification of any
digital image will eventually show the individual pixels, as in the enlarged section in the image at
right.

The Two Forms or States of a Digital Image

Digital images take two distinct forms:

1) informational records or "files", and
2) physical images.

A digital image as it is created by a digital camera or scanner, and as it resides on digital storage
medium like a hard drive or a flash card, is simply an informational record of a grid of pixels - a map
of specific tones at specific locations (bitmap). It is common to refer to computer records as files,
and thus digital images in this state, and generally, are commonly referred to as "digital image files," "image files," or even just "files." The image has
no physical size. While if stored in certain file formats the image may have a specific physical size designated as part of the informational record, this
can easily be set or later adjusted to any size.

When an image is displayed or output it takes on physical form as an image. Whether being displayed on a monitor or printed on paper, the physical
image has spatial dimensions - width and height. The same digital image can assume many different physical sizes.

Two Types of Image Resolution

Digital image resolution designations fall into two basic categories. Much of the confusion over digital image resolution can be settled by
understanding the difference between Pixel Count Resolution and Spatial Resolution.

PIXEL COUNT RESOLUTION SPATIAL RESOLUTION

Pixel Count Resolution is simply the amount of pixels a digital image Spatial Resolution relates to the number of pixels in a spatial
contains, or is made up of. It is expressed in either megapixels or pixel measurement of a physical image - pixels per inch. Spatial resolution
dimensions. does not apply to an image file (except as a temporary/variable
specification thereof), only to a physical image. An image literally can
not have a spatial resolution if it doesn't take a physical form - it can't
The term Megapixels simply means millions of pixels. One megapixel have any given number of pixels per inch if it doesn't have physical
equals 1 million pixels. A six megapixel image is an image made up of dimensions.
6 million pixels, or some rough approximation thereof.

The spatial resolution of an image is commonly referred to in terms of

Pixel Dimensions represent another, more descriptive method of "dpi." What is being specified is pixels per inch, however "dots" per inch
designating pixel count resolution. By stating the pixel dimensions of a has gained a foothold in common terminology.
digital image, the pixel count is inferred. In addition, the aspect ratio
of the image is revealed, as are the exact dimensions.
Spatial Resolution is a variable property of an image file - it only
becomes a fixed property of an image once it is output in permanent
Pixel Count Resolution is a fixed property of an image. Unless the form, i.e. printed. As this resolution is conditional upon output, this
image is resampled or cropped the image remains the same number of resolution is commonly called output resolution or print resolution.
pixels.

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 About Digital Image Resolution

Pixel Count Resolution and Spatial Resolution are related in that pixel dimensions and pixels per inch are the two factors that determine output image size -
pixel dimensions divided by pixels per inch yields output (print) size, but the two are independent of one another. A given megapixel resolution or pixel
dimensions does not infer any specific pixels per inch output resolution.

An image in its informational record or image file state (an image on a disk, drive, or card) can be printed or displayed at varying output
resolutions - the dpi of an image file is a variable. As stated above, spatial resolution does not apply to an image in this state. An image generated by
a digital camera doesn't have a dpi resolution - it can be output at any dpi resolution - the dpi resolution is variable. The only resolution category that
applies emphatically to an image in this state is Pixel Count Resolution. If you are trying to figure out what dpi the image from your 6 megapixel
camera is, stop. The answer is, What dpi do you want it to be? If a camera salesperson is quoting you the dpi of images produced by a certain
camera, or inferred by a certain megapixel designation, run away. This person is confused.

An image in any output state (a print or displayed on a monitor) has the same Pixel Count Resolution it had in its file state (unless it has been
resampled or cropped), and also has Spatial Resolution that is directly related to its physical size and pixel dimensions (pixel count resolution). The
pixel dimensions and related physical dimensions determine the spatial resolution (pixels per inch). Likewise, the pixels per inch and pixel dimensions
determine the physical size (dimensions in inches).

The Most Confusing Thing - dpi

By far the most confusing aspect of digital image resolution is the common use of the term "dpi" to refer to distinctly different aspects of digital image
resolution. As discussed above, dpi refers to dots per inch.

dpi that should be ppi

dpi is commonly used to refer to ppi - pixels per inch. As dpi is also used to refer to other, different resolution aspects as detailed below, ppi
should arguably be used to refer to pixels per inch.

dpi properly used - for printer resolution

dpi is also used to refer to dots per inch in terms of printer resolution. Inkjet printers printers list resolutions like 2400 x 1220 dpi. This printer
resolution is independent of and unrelated to image resolution as described above. The "dpi" in such inkjet printer specifications refers to ink dots,
not pixels. Inkjet printers can lay down different amounts of ink dots per inch, irrespective of how many pixels they are reproducing per inch.
This is the dpi referred to in inkjet printer specifications. "ppi" or "dpi" as associated with image resolution refers to pixels and is a conditional
property (it only applies to the printing) of the image being sent to the printer. So, a 1440 dpi inkjet printer printing a digital image at 300dpi(ppi)
is using 1440 ink dots per inch to render 300 pixels per inch.

dpi used to refer to the spatial input resolution of scanners

Scanners capture digital images of prints or images on film. When they scan the image on print or film, they break it down into pixels. This
process has an associated spatial resolution that is related to the original surface being scanned. If the scanner breaks each linear inch into
1000 pixels, then the scan is being conducted at 1000 pixels per inch. This resolution is sometimes also referred to as the sampling rate. Most
commonly though it is referred to in terms of dpi, even though ppi or spi are far more appropriate terms. This resolution is further
characterized as input resolution or scan resolution, whereas the dpi/ppi of a print made from the resulting digital image is referred to as
output resolution or print resolution. Note that the scan resolution has no bearing on the print resolution, unless one wishes to match the print
size to the size of the original image scanned, in which case the print resolution should be set to match the original scan resolution.

dpi used to refer to illegitimate concepts

This has been and continues to be such a confusing topic for some, that gross misinformation has come from assumed reputable sources. The
list of erroneous and ridiculous concepts involving ambiguous misapplications of the term dpi is very long. The confusion has been so bad that
many labs go to great lengths to avoid the topic with customers, relying on a standard file format and bit depth to infer resolution from file
size related to a given print size.

Technically there is nothing wrong with referring to pixels as dots. However making a clear delineation between image resolution and printer
resolution and using correspondingly more appropriate terms helps to clarify what can be a confusing subject. Think of dpi as a property of the printer
independent of the ppi resolution (print resolution) of the image you send to the printer.

Digital Image Capture

Digital images (photographs) are generated either by a digital camera or a scanner. These "capture devices" and their functional resolutions
determine the total amount of pixels used to record the image.

With digital cameras, a sensor array of set pixel dimensions is used to capture each image. The camera may allow interpolation of the image to
produce more or less pixels than that of its native capture, but the actual capture is always at the effective number of pixels and specific pixel

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 About Digital Image Resolution

dimensions dictated by the sensor. The total number of pixels produced by a camera without any interpolation is the camera's resolution, usually
stated in millions of pixels, or megapixels. A typical 5 megapixel camera for instance produces images measuring 2560 pixels by 1920 pixels. These
are the pixel dimensions of any image generated by the camera at maximum, uninterpolated resolution. 2560 multiplied by 1920 equals 4.9 million,
hence the 5 megapixel designation - roughly 5 million pixels are being used to record the image.

Film scanners essentially capture digital pictures of images already on film. As a film
scanner captures the image from the film, the capture is performed at a specific spatial
resolution, pixels per inch or samples per inch (spi). The "per inch" refers to the physical FILM RESOLUTION and
dimension of the film being scanned. This scan resolution or sampling rate determines how SCAN RESOLUTION:
many pixels will be used to digitally capture the film image. The sampling rate of the scan is
referred to as the input resolution. The terms scan resolution, sampling rate, spi, and input How much resolution is needed to capture all the
resolution all refer to this same factor. The sampling rate and the physical size of the original detail in the film?
being scanned determine the resultant digital image pixel dimensions. If a film scanner
captures at 4000 ppi, then an image 1.4 inches wide and 1 inch high on the film will result in
a digital image 5600 pixels wide and 4000 pixels high (22 megapixels). If you are interested, Resolution essentially and most importantly has to
you can read more about film scanning. do with the ability to render minute detail (frequency).
Just as digital capture devices have resolution limits,
so too does film. The resolution capabilities of film
Once the image has been recorded digitally, by either camera or scanner, the image is as are most influenced by the film's grain properties, just
described above, just a grid of pixels a certain number of pixels high by a certain number of as the resolution capabilities of a digital capture
pixels wide. After the capture stage, ppi/dpi resolution takes on a different meaning. It still device are most influenced by the spatial sampling
refers to pixels per inch, but now is only applicable to the printing of the image. If you print rate. Finer grained films resolve finer detail. But a
the image, something must tell the printer what ppi resolution to print at (pixels printed per film's true resolution capabilities are affected by other
inch, different from printer dpi resolution described above). The pixels-per-inch resolution that factors as well, including the lens used to expose the
an image is set to print at is the "print resolution" or "output resolution." This resolution is film. Just as optics and related elements affect a
usually referred to in terms of dpi, can be set as an attribute of the image file itself, and you film's resolution, so to do similar factors influence any
can change it to whatever you prefer without affecting the original image. digital capture device's true resolution capabilities.

While it is possible to measure the basic resolution

capabilities of a given film, extracting all of the
resolution from the film is not so simple as matching
capture resolution to the capabilities of the film. In
Sizing Images - Scaling vs. Resampling
addition to spatial resolution determined by sampling
rate, digital capture is complicated by the "Nyquist
Adjusting an image's resolution in dpi or ppi, or its size in inches, has no effect on the actual pixels. frequency" rule - the theoretical maximum frequency
This is called scaling. This is simply designating the resolution to print at, if and when the a digital capture device can resolve is half its
image is printed. The image remains the same grid of pixels with the same pixel dimensions sampling rate. In real world applications various
and pixel data. The same goes for setting the image's physical "size" in software. The effects factors combine to yield a decrease in the actual
of such adjustments or settings are only seen in and only apply to the printing of the image. If effective resolution from that suggested by the
you set the size of the image to 5 inches by 8 inches, this just designates the size of the sampling rate and the Nyquist rule. Most notably,
image if and when printed. Note that ppi/dpi resolution and physical size are related and since it is impossible to guarantee that all of an
directly affect one another. If you set one, you have set the other. A digital image 1000 pixels image's fine detail structures will align perfectly with
wide by 1600 pixels high would be 5 inches wide if printed at 200 ppi, 1000 (pixels in width) the positions of the digital sample grid, more capture
divided by 200 (pixels printed per inch) equals 5 (inches in width for the print). Similarly, resolution is needed above that dictated by the
setting the physical size of the image to 5 inches wide would result in a printed resolution of Nyquist rule.
200 ppi.
As finer grained films resolve finer detail, they dictate
However, if you change the image's size in pixels - change the pixel dimensions (called resampling higher resolution scans to capture all of the detail.
or interpolating), then you are changing the actual image file. This results in a different number of With scan resolutions now possible in great excess
pixels, and necessarily alters some pixel color/tonal data to maintain the same appearance of the capabilities of any film, there has been much
over the altered amount of pixels. opportunity for imaging experts to examine higher
and higher resolution scans of photographic film.
Most agree that the majority of usable detail present
So, there are two different ways to make the same digital image print at different sizes: in fine grained film stocks is captured at a sample
rate of approximately 4000ppi. Grainier films (any
print film and slide films faster than 100 ISO) will of
●
course require less capture resolution to resolve all
Scaling - changes the print resolution (the output dpi/ppi) to yield the desired of the detail.
physical dimensions with the pixel dimensions present in the image file.
●
While scans of fine grained films at capture
Resampling - changes the pixel dimensions of the image to yield the desired resolutions over 4000ppi do resolve more detail, they
physical dimensions at a given output resolution. also resolve more of the film grain structure, which
interferes with actual image detail and detracts from
the overall subjective assessment of image quality.
Resampling changes the amount of pixels the image consists of whereas scaling changes how Scans at resolutions up to 8000ppi have been shown
many pixels are being printed per inch. Resampling affects the nature of the digital image to capture increasingly more detail, but beyond
itself; scaling affects only that specific rendering (printing) of the image. 4000ppi the returns diminish greatly. Scientific
analysis based on the component concepts involved
indicates that doubling the scan resolution from 4000
to 8000ppi sample rate (of Fuji Velvia properly
exposed with a high quality lens) yields a less than
Your Computer Monitor 10% increase in detail resolution. Some of this extra
detail is not functionally realized as the increasing
ratio of grain structure to image detail interferes with
Monitor resolutions are quoted in pixel dimensions, and can usually be set at different values. the rendering of the image detail. There has been

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In the Microsoft Windows operating system the monitor setting referred to is called "screen considerable debate over whether much of the
area." It is accessed through the settings tab in the display properties (right click on the additional fine detail captured at 8000ppi is image
desktop, click properties, and then click the settings tab). Monitors can be set to different detail or resolved grain. The actual realized increase
"resolutions," like 800x600 and 1024x768. These are just width and height measurements in in image detail when scanning at 8000ppi vs.
pixels (pixel dimensions). There are recommended pixel dimensions for the various sizes of 4000ppi is far less than 10%, and generally not
CRT monitors, and LCD monitors have native resolutions that provide best results. The actual visually perceptible in any real world end use intent
ppi (pixels per inch) resolution that your monitor displays at is determined by two variables, the (i.e. prints viewed at normal viewing distances with
physical size of the display and the monitor resolution setting (pixel dimensions). Whatever pixel the unaided eye). The image quality degradation
dimensions are set as the monitor resolution, those dimensions fill the view area. caused by the increased overall graininess is difficult
to quantify.

So, a 17 inch monitor set at 800x 600 will have less pixels per inch (less resolution) than a 15
inch monitor set to the same 800 x 600 display setting, because the same amount of pixels Bottom Line: 4000ppi will capture all but the most
have to be stretched over a larger area to fill the larger screen. To get the effective resolution of minute usable detail in the finest grained slide films,
your screen (the actual ppi resolution) you would need to divide one of the screen setting numbers and all of the usable detail in other films.
by the corresponding dimension of your display view area in inches. For instance, a 17 inch
monitor with a 12 inch horizontal display area measurement set at 1024 x 768 would yield an
effective resolution of about 85 ppi (1024 pixels divided by 12 inches). Notice that "monitor resolution," does’t directly indicate the actual ppi of the
display, and that the same monitor can display at different effective ppi’s.

Any image displayed on your monitor will be displayed at the effective resolution of the monitor. Setting the "dpi resolution" (print resolution) of an
image has no effect on how the image displays on the monitor. Again, the ppi/dpi resolution of an image has no effect on how the image displays on a
monitor. See for yourself. Open an image in Photoshop. Change the dpi resolution only by selecting Image>Image Size, make sure the Resample
Image box is NOT CHECKED, and then adjust the Image Resolution to any number you like and click on OK. The image remains the same size on your
screen. That's because the dpi resolution attribute of a digital image only applies to the printing of the image. By changing the dpi resolution of the
image, you haven't changed either of the two factors that determine the size of the image on the screen: 1)the monitor resolution, or 2) the pixel dimensions
of the image. Most image editing and image cataloging applications allow for sizing of the image on screen, this is done by on-the-fly interpolation
which creates a temporary smaller or larger image (different pixel dimensions) for viewing purposes. This has no affect on the original image, or the
dpi resolution aspect of the image.

Large digital images, those created by scanning at higher numbers of dots per inch, will not fit on most computer monitors. Take a 3000 by 2000
pixel image for instance. If you displayed the image on a monitor set at 1024 by 768 resolution the monitor would only be able to display about 13%
of the image at one time (regardless of the physical size of the monitor). To view the whole image you would have to scroll through the equivalent of
over seven full displays. This is why smaller images, like those created by resampling images down in size (changing the actual pixel dimensions), or
those created by film scans at low resolutions are often preferred for use on computers. One can always resample a large image down, making
smaller copies of the image at different sizes for different specific usage intents. Many imaging programs allow you to "zoom," "fit," or "resize" an
image to make it appear larger or smaller on your screen. This usually works through a primitive form of "on-the-fly" interpolation and yields a
"preview" image of lower quality than what you can expect if you were to use Photoshop to actually resample the image through bicubic interpolation.

Disparity in Pixel Dimensions / Aspect Ratio

You may notice that the pixel dimensions we quote for average scans from 35mm frames are different in aspect ratio from those quoted by common
picture disk services and those produced by most digital cameras. That is because of the disparity between the 35mm aspect ratio and the common
digital photo aspect ratio, which is essentially that of the average computer monitor. A 35mm frame has an aspect ratio of 1.5 to 1. Most computer
monitors and digital cameras have aspect ratios of 4 to 3. Most common picture disk services force the 4 to 3 aspect ratio, thereby necessarily
excluding a significant portion of a 35mm image. The traditional 8x10 print size also similarly forces elimination of part of the 35mm image. A print of
the full 35mm frame at similar size would measure 6.66x10, or 7x10.5.

How Much Resolution? - Photo Quality Printing and DPI/PPI Needs

Printing is the most demanding usage in terms of necessary resolution. Generally, the
maximum size you intend to print your images and the print resolution (different from WHY 300ppi FOR PRINTS?
printer resolution) dictated by the printer of your choice combine to determine your
resolution requirements (see chart below). Hi-Res is also recommended if archiving of 300ppi (or dpi if you prefer) is the "industry
master image files is of primary concern. See the note on how much resolution is needed to standard" for photo quality printing. It is the
capture all of the image detail the film has to offer. Remember, you can always resample resolution dictated by a certain press
down, but you can't always interpolate up and maintain the necessary image quality. convention, and it correlates closely to the
realized resolution achieved with tradition optical
If you want to print photo quality you generally need to print at 200 to 300 ppi. silver halide prints. For this second reason it is
For an image containing fine subject detail with good sharpness, if the image is to be the best starting point for photo quality.
viewed at close distance, 300ppi is recommended. Some printers can even render
increasing fine detail at up to 400ppi. There are many circumstances though in which
photographers are very pleased with prints made at lesser print resolutions, thereby With the exception of inkjet printers, photo
facilitating larger prints. quality printers from desktop dye sublimation
models to state of the art industrial models work

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300 ppi (print resolution) is generally considered the starting point for art quality photo at resolutions of exactly or very close to 300ppi.
printing - see sidebar. The following circumstances may facilitate printing at lesser Many have the ability to output at resolutions
resolutions:
above and/or below, but again 300ppi is the
standard. When outputting to any printer other
●
than an inkjet, the output resolution of the image
If the image has low inherent sharpness and/or contrast a lower should match that of the printer for best results.
resolution print may render an acceptable image. In some cases of images
with little or no fine (high frequency) detail, a lesser resolution image While 300ppi is the standard, it is not a hard
may have just as much observable detail and sharpness as the 300ppi rule. Many people find large format 200ppi
version. Certain subject matter, such as most portraiture, traditionally Lightjet prints acceptable, especially at viewing
relies less on fine detail and can generally be printed at less than 300ppi. distances reasonable for the print size. Others
point out that on close examination of prints
made at 360ppi there is a noticeable increase in
●
fine detail. An article in Outdoor Photographer
If the viewing distance is going to be moderate, the print will likely be
magazine said that a recognized expert
acceptable at less than 300ppi. This is of course highly subjective and recommends 240ppi for inkjet printing. "Your
dependant upon the visual acuity of the viewer (as is all subjective image mileage may vary."
quality assessment), but generally speaking prints that will be viewed at
arms length or more can safely be printed at lesser resolutions.

Finally, some printers produce better output at a certain print resolution less than 300ppi than they do at 300ppi. This is an
idiosyncratic behavior of some printers. You should test your printer at various resolutions; the results may surprise you.

To determine what image resolution you need to produce prints of a given size, see the chart below. To get the maximum possible photo quality
printed image size for your digital image, divide the pixel dimensions of the image by your chosen print resolution. Pixel dimensions divided by print
resolution yields print dimensions in inches.

Putting It All Together - Some Simple Principles

If we know the pixel dimensions of an image, we know the megapixel resolution. Example: if an image's pixel dimensions are
2048x1536, we multiply 2048x1536 and get 3,145,728, just over 3 million pixels. This is a 3 megapixel image.
If we know the pixel dimensions and the set print resolution (the "dpi resolution"), we know what the physical size of the
print will be. Example: if the same 2048x1536 image is set to print at 300ppi, the resulting print will be 6.8x5.1 (roughly a 5x7 print).
We just divided each of the pixel dimensions by the print resolution to yield the physical dimensions of the resultant print.
If we know the required print resolution for photo quality on our printer, and the desired print size, we know the minimum
requisite image resolution. Example: if we need to print at 300ppi, and we want our print to be 8x10, we multiply the desired print
dimensions by the requisite print resolution and get the minimum requisite image resolution, 2400x3000.

If we wanted to make a 8x10 print from a 35mm frame, and we need to print at 300ppi for best results on our inkjet printer, we
know we will need digital image pixel dimensions of at least 2400x3000. Knowing the physical size of the 35mm frame is slightly less
than 1x1.5 inches, we can determine we would need to scan the film at 2400ppi or higher capture resolution. The Kodak Photo CD
would fall short at 2048x3072.
If we want to use our images on computer monitors, we must know the monitor resolution or assume a common resolution we
want to target for best results. If we assume most users will be utilizing screen resolutions of 1024x768, we would want to make our
image resolution (pixel dimensions) 1024x768 for desktop wallpaper or full screen display. For e-mail use, we would want to make them
smaller, maybe half size - 512x384.

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About Digital Image Resolution

PRINT RESOLUTION CHART

pixel dimensions required to yield specific print sizes at specific print resolutions

This chart is designed to assist in the determination of resolution requirements for printing. The print resolution (different from printer
resolution) is listed at the top of each column. The image resolutions listed are minimum required pixel dimensions, and may differ in
aspect ratio from that of the 35mm frame (1.5 to 1) and the common digital camera picture (4 to 3). To see the resultant pixel
dimensions of scans from 35mm slides at various scan resolutions, scroll down to the scan resolution chart.

NOTE: Most digital photo printers (inkjets being the exception) print at only one or a very limited number of specific output resolutions. So, if you were using a 3000ppi scan
of a mounted 35mm slide (4050 x 2650 pixel dimensions) for instance and sent it to a Lightjet printer as a 12x18 print, if the printer was running at its 200ppi output
resolution it would have more than enough resolution, but if it was running at its 300ppi output resolution the image resolution would be insufficient for the print size and the
image would be resampled (interpolated) up to give the necessary 300 pixels per inch at 12x18 inches. As resampling/interpolation doesn't produce any new detail, just
stretches the detail already there, you are essentially making a 220ppi print even though the print is actually being printed at 300ppi - 220 pixels per inch of detail is being
spread out to give the printer 300 pixels per inch to match its operating resolution. So while the print resolutions listed may not coincide with actual output resolution of the
printer in use, they are a good comparative indicator of the detail in the prints at the various sizes.

© LTL Imagery - Please do not reproduce or distribute without permission.

Webmasters, please do not copy and paste this chart into your webpage without approval. Thank You.

Desired © LTL Imagery PRINT RESOLUTION © LTL Imagery

Print
Size 220ppi 240ppi 260ppi 280ppi 300ppi

3x5 660x1100 720x1200 780x1300 840x1400 900x1500

4x6 880x1320 960x1440 1040x1560 1120x1680 1200x1800

5x7 1100x1540 1200x1680 1300x1820 1400x1960 1500x2100

8x10 1760x2200 1920x2400 2080x2600 2240x2800 2400x3000

8x12 1760x2640 1920x2880 2080x3120 2240x3360 2400x3600

11x14 2420x3080 2640x3360 2860x3640 3080x3920 3300x4200

12x18 2640x3960 2880x4320 3120x4680 3360x5040 3600x5400

16x20 3520x4400 3840x4800 4160x5200 4480x5600 4800x6000

If you need more resolution than that afforded by 4000ppi scans, Genuine Fractals, Fred Miranda's Stair Interpolation, Qimage and other applications will allow enlargement
(interpolating up) of your digital image while maintaining more detail and photorealism than less sophisticated interpolation methods.

SCAN RESOLUTION CHART - 35mm

This chart shows the resulting image pixel dimensions, megapixel resolution, file size, and print size at 300dpi for scans of mounted 35mm
slides at the various scan resolutions.

● All specs are for average crops from square opening 35mm slide mounts.
● Negative scans will be slightly larger. As none of the image is concealed by the slide mount, more image area is scanned, and the
resulting image is slightly larger.
● Slide mounts with smaller openings or rounded corners in the openings will result in slightly smaller sizes.
● File sizes are for 24 Bit RGB, uncompressed TIFF. 48 Bit RGB images have double the file size on disk. JPEG file size will be
smaller.

© LTL Imagery - Please do not reproduce or distribute without permission.

Webmasters, please do not copy and paste this chart into your webpage without approval. Thank You.

SCAN RESOLUTION
© LTL Imagery
1000ppi 2000ppi 3000ppi 4000ppi

Pixel Dimensions 1360 x 900 2710 x 1800 4050 x 2650 5420 x 3600

Megapixel Resolution 1.2 4.9 10.7 19.5

File Size 3.6MB 14MB 31.5MB 57MB

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About Digital Image Resolution

Print Size @ 300dpi (in inches) 3 x 4.5 6x9 8.8 x 13.5 12 x 18

SCAN RESOLUTION CHART - MEDIUM FORMAT / XPAN

This chart shows the resulting image pixel dimensions, megapixel resolution, file size, and print size at 300dpi for scans of unmounted
frames of various medium formats and the X-pan 24x65mm format at various scan resolutions.

Pixel Dimensions, File Sizes, Megapixels and Print Sizes are approximates based on averages.
●

File sizes are in MegaBytes, for 24 Bit RGB, uncompressed TIFF. 48 Bit RGB images have double the file size on disk. JPEG file size
will be smaller.
● Megapixels and MegaBytes are rounded to the nearest half (.5).
● Print sizes are in inches.

© LTL Imagery - Please do not reproduce or distribute without permission.

Webmasters, please do not copy and paste this chart into your webpage without approval. Thank You.

SCAN Pixel Mega- File Print Size

FORMAT
RESOLUTION Dimensions pixels Size @ 300dpi

1000ppi 1575 x 2165 3.5 10 5x7

2000ppi 3150 x 4330 13.5 39 10.5 x 14

645
3000ppi 4725 x 6495 31 88 16 x 22

4000ppi 6300 x 8660 54.5 156 21 x 29

1000ppi 2150 x 2165 4.5 13.5 7x7

2000ppi 4300 x 4330 18.5 53 14 x 14

6x6
3000ppi 6450 x 6495 42 120 21.5 x 21.5

4000ppi 8600 x 8660 74.5 213 29 x 29

1000ppi 2150 x 2663 5.5 16.5 7x9

2000ppi 4300 x 5325 23 66 14 x 18

6x7
3000ppi 6450 x 7988 51.5 147 21.5 x 27

4000ppi 8600 x 10650 91.5 262 29 x 35.5

1000ppi 2150 x 2963 6.5 18 7 x 10

2000ppi 4300 x 5925 25.5 73 14 x 20

6x8
3000ppi 6450 x 8888 57.5 164 21.5 x 30

4000ppi 8600 x 11850 102 292 29 x 39.5

1000ppi 2150 x 3205 7 19.5 7 x 11

2000ppi 4300 x 6410 27.5 79 14 x 21

6x9
3000ppi 6450 x 9615 62 177 21.5 x 32

4000ppi 8600 x 12820 110.5 315 29 x 43

1000ppi 925 x 2530 2.5 6.5 3 x 8.5

2000ppi 1850 x 5060 9.5 27 6 x 17

Xpan
(24x65mm)

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About Digital Image Resolution

3000ppi 2775 x 7590 21 60 9 x 25

4000ppi 3700 x 10120 37.5 107 12 x 34

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