Nikon D300 User Manual page 127

works very well for viewing by humans. A useful thing about
JPEG is that one can vary the file size of the image, via
compression, without affecting quality too much.
Here are details on the three JPEG modes:
▪ JPEG fine
compression ratio, so there is a large difference in the
file size, with it being as small as 25 percent of the
original size. In this mode, a normal 20-megabyte
D300(S) file can be compressed down to as little as 5
megabytes without significant loss of image quality. If
you decide to shoot in JPEG, this mode will give you the
best-quality JPEG your camera can produce. While a
lossless-compressed RAW setting allows only about
500-600 images on an 8-gigabyte CF card, the
setting raises that to about 1,200 images.
▪ JPEG normal
compression ratio. This makes a 20-megabyte D300(S)
image file as small as 2.5 megabytes. The image quality
is still very acceptable in this mode. If you are shooting
at a party for the 4 × 6 inch (10 × 15 cm) image size, this
mode will allow you to make lots of images. An
8-gigabyte card will hold about 2,200
image files.
▪ JPEG basic
compression ratio, so the 20-megabyte D300(S) file is
stored as a 1.25-megabyte JPEG file. Remember, these
are full-size files, so you can surely take a lot of pictures.
If one is shooting for the Web, or just wants to document
an area well, this mode provides sufficient quality. My
(or Fine Quality JPEG) uses a 1:4
(or Normal Quality JPEG) uses a 1:8
(or Basic Quality JPEG) uses a 1:16
127
JPEG fine
JPEG normal