Micro 4/3rd Print Sizes

People always say the micro four-thirds cameras do not have enough resolution to print photos at “reasonable” sizes. In the good old days, the standard size was 8x10, and a large print was 11x14, while the 11x17 was considered very large.

Nowadays, 11x17 prints are considered “reasonable” in size. 16“x24“ prints are almost “large” prints, and 20“x30“ prints are considered large prints.

Somehow, somebody has decided that you need 300 dpi (dots per inch) for printing and anything less wasn’t good enough. For the OM-1 and the OM-1Mk2 (20 MP: 5184 x 3888), the maximum print size would be 17¼“ x 13“, while for the Panasonic/Lumix G9Mk2 (25 MP: 5776 x 4336), it would be 19¼“ x 14½“.

The idea that 300 dpi is required for high-quality prints is “baloney.” There are many more factors that determine the resolution needed for “good prints.”

Subjects

The subject is the biggest factor in setting the print resolution.

• A lonely tree in a foggy forest would need a resolution of 150 dpi. Prints of anything in the fog can easily go down to 96 dpi.
• A high-contrast architectural or structural image will often need a resolution of 360 dpi.
• The portrait of a baby shouldn’t have a resolution above 240 dpi.
• A low-contrast image should also have a resolution of around 240 dpi.

Medium

The paper used for printing also has a significant influence on the print resolution needed.

• The new glossy metallic papers require a much higher resolution to print well. Often these papers will need 360 dpi, and some may require a print resolution as high as 600 dpi.
• In the “good old days,” to get a large print like 20x30 or 24x36, canvas was the only choice, which is still a good option with a resolution of 150 dpi. The texture of the canvas hides both the grain and lack of sharpness of the print.
• Many of the new fine art papers are heavy and textured. Some of these papers are not paper per se but rags. The latest trend in printing includes wood and acrylic. For wood prints, even 96 dpi is sufficient, while for acrylic prints, a 240 dpi resolution is more than enough.

Sizes

The resolution also depends on the size and viewing distance of the print. The viewing distance is related to print size. When was the last time that you looked at a poster size print at a 5“ distance?

• Most billboards on the side of the road are printed at 72 dpi and they look sharp because of the distance.
• Most extra-large canvases, such as 24x36 or 30x40, are printed at 150 dpi or 180 dpi.

So, how large can you print an image from a micro four-thirds camera? That depends, but a 20x24 print is not problematic. It’s more a question of how good and how sharp the image is.