For digital cameras, you can find the available aspect ratios in the menu settings. Depending on the model, you can set a ratio of 1:1 for square shots or 16:9 for panoramic photos, for example. Please note that the changed aspect ratio is only visible on the display. The viewfinder always shows the same section of the picture. For most models, the aspect ratio is preset to 4:3 or 2:3.
On Android devices, you can find the different aspect ratios in the settings of the camera app or as a quick setting directly on the display in recording mode. Here you can usually choose between 4:3, 1:1 and 16:9. Depending on the device, it may even be possible to select different resolutions for a certain aspect ratio.
When taking photos with an iPhone, the available aspect ratios are displayed directly above the Shutter button in the camera app. By swiping to the left or right you can choose between “Photo” (4:3), “Square” (1:1) and “Pano” (panorama function). To take a panoramic photo, press the Shutter button and slowly move the iPhone’s camera from one side of your shot to the other. However, these extra-wide photos cannot be developed without image loss. Instead, you can use a photo editing program to split the panoramic photo into several photos and have them developed individually. The 16:9 ratio is only available for video in iOS.
Analogue cameras have an aspect ratio of 2:3. This is determined by the film rolls used, which come in 35mm format and can only show this aspect ratio. For this reason, it is not possible to change the aspect ratio in analogue photography.