File compression is used to format and size a digital picture file. Increasingly high compression levels incrementally decrease file sizes and allow you to store more pictures on a memory card. Very high compression levels can result in lost picture detail severe enough to negatively affect print quality. My camera has adjustable resolution and file compression settings. Use the highest resolution and the lowest compression settings on your camera.
Many digital cameras provide adjustable resolution and file compression settings.
In general, reducing file size allows you to store more pictures on a memory card. The tradeoff is lost picture detail. Less detail is typically not a problem when displaying pictures on a computer monitor but, depending on the size, can reduce the quality of a print. Digital cameras use light-sensitive electronic sensors in place of film. Megapixel cameras use sensors containing one million or more pixels .