A clear understanding of standard print sizes is essential to ensure the best quality photos. Knowing standard photo size dimensions will help prevent pixelated or distorted images. Two of the most common print sizes are 4×6 inch and 5×7 inch photos. How do 4×6 photos differ from 5×7 photos, and how do I choose the best option?
A 4×6 photo’s width is 4 inches (101.6mm), while its height is approximately 6 inches (152.4mm). 5×7 prints are about 5 inches in width (127mm) and 7 inches in height (178mm). There is no correct or incorrect choice when deciding between these two options- it depends on purpose and preference.
The aspect ratio is of utmost importance in photography. The aspect ratio of photos describes their shape, therefore, the relationship between the width and height of an image.
4×6 Photo Size Vs 5×7 Photo Size
The format includes the width followed by the height. An aspect ratio of 1:1 would consequently suggest a square image. Let’s compare the size, aspect ratios, and uses of 4×6 and 5×7 photos, respectively.
4×6 Photo Size
4×6 inch photos are the standard size in which photos are printed. A 4×6 photo is 4 inches by about 6 inches. The exact height of 4×6 prints is actually 5 ⅞ inches.
The relationship between the width and height of the photo suggests a ratio of 3:2. An aspect ratio of 3:2 means that the pictures taken in the landscape will be three units in width (horizontally measured) while two units in height (vertically measured). Photos captured in portrait will be two units wide (horizontally measured); for every three units in height (vertically measured).
The ratio of 3:2 prints is identical to the size and shape of the viewfinder of most digital cameras. It is also the most famous ratio in photography in modern times. Therefore, in most cases, unedited photos taken with a digital camera will print in this ratio. It is important to note that some manufacturers use an aspect ratio of 4:3 instead.
For a 4×6 inch photo, to ensure the best quality when printing out your image, make sure that the photo’s resolution is at least 1200 x 1800 pixels. This will provide 300 dots per inch, making it decent quality for photos that will be viewed up close. Lowering the resolution might make the print look pixelated when viewed up close.
5×7 Photo Size
5×7 prints are also very commonly preferred as it is slightly larger than 4×6 photos. 5×7 prints are 5 inches by 7 inches, thus 127mm (13cm) by 178mm (18cm). The larger sizing allows for more detail of the item or person being photographed.
The width-to-height ratio for 5×7 inch prints is 3.5:2.5. Since most modern cameras have a standard aspect ratio of 2:3, you will have to crop your photo slightly to get the picture to be 5×7 inches when printed. The ideal pixels for good quality 5×7 photos are 1500 x 2100 pixels.
How To Choose Between 4×6 And 5×7 Photos
There are benefits for each photo size.
Benefits Of 4×6 Inch Photos
4×6 photos are the most common size for a picture frame, photo albums, greeting cards, or postcards. A photo taken using a ratio of 3:2 can be printed directly. No need to crop the image to fit into any of the items mentioned above since all digital cameras support this ratio. Most modern cameras also support 4:3, 16:19, and other aspect ratios.
It might seem obvious that not all printed photos will fit into any frame. If you have a specific-sized photo frame that you would like to fill, it is vital to choose the sizing of your photo wisely. That is, whether you want the image to fill the entire frame or with a surrounding frame. If you want a frame around the picture, you must opt for a smaller size and adjust the ratio.
Although larger prints might seem more attractive on a big open wall space, smaller photos, such as the 4×6, are ideal for photo collages or smaller areas. This size is also perfect for adding character or a personal touch to dull-looking bookshelves or desks.
Due to it being the more standard option, 4×6 photos are the more cost-efficient choice. According to Walmart’s 1-hour pick-up printing prices in 2022, 4×6 photos cost 0.09$ per image while 5×7 photos are 1.44$ per image to print out. Therefore, the standard 4×6 size is sixteen times less expensive to print out than a 5×7 photo.
Another possible reason people could lean towards the 4×6 photo size is because of the specifications of their photo printers. Many photo printers allow the printing of standard 4×6-sized images and no other sizes.
Benefits Of 5×7 Inch Photos
As mentioned earlier, the aspect ratio of a 5×7 photo is 3.5:2. Using a camera with a different ratio to take a picture will require you to crop the image to 5×7 inches. So when are 5×7 and a ratio of 3.5:2.5 photos preferred over a standard 4×6 photo with a ratio of 3:2?
Most people want to print in a 5×7 size because they have a 5×7 photo frame they wish to fill at home. Bigger photos are ideal for bigger wall spaces, and some merely prefer the look of a white-bordered 5×7 image over the bordered 4×6.
3.5:2.5 ratio photos especially come in handy when photographing a larger group of people. When printing 5×7 photos, using this aspect ratio will allow you to photograph big groups without excluding anyone from the picture.
Cropping the image to a 5×7 inch print, using a standard ratio, would alter the photo’s composition, making it look worse to the eye and probably disproportionate. The 3.5:2.5 ratio of a 5×7 is ideal for capturing lengthy, thin items such as tall buildings. This ratio would more likely capture the entire building in one shot than a standard 2:3 ratio.
A benefit of 5×7 prints is the noticeability of the slightly bigger photos on a wall. It is almost twice as large as the 4×6, which makes it nice and large to look at, yet not too large to view as a whole. If you want to frame a photograph that will be looked at from afar, this bigger print size might be the way to go.
Mobile Photos Looks Different Printed As 4×6 Or 5×7 Photos
You probably have experienced the frustration of not being to upload your favorite photo to social media without it being cropped or having unwanted black borders. This happens because the aspect ratio of Instagram and Facebook differs from the aspect ratio of the photo captured by your mobile camera.
Instagram supported only square image posts for an extended period but has now developed to support three different ratios. The supported ratios for posts are currently 1:1, 1.91:1 for landscape photos, and 4:5 for portrait photos. Suppose the aspect ratio of your image is not supported by this app. In that case, it will be cropped to fit the supported aspect ratio.
The same concept applies to printing. Printing photos with a specific aspect ratio, as a photo with a different aspect ratio, will require you to crop it. It is especially needed when you wish to fit the image in a photo frame that requires a 4×6 inch or 5×7 inch photo, which are some of the more common print sizes. This is why printed photos often look slightly different once printed.
Should I Print Cellphone Photos as 4×6 Or 5×7 Inch Photos?
Mobile phones mostly shot images with a 4:3 ratio. The most common phone screen ratio is 9:16. This explains why images look proportionate and realistic on your phone yet are not necessarily as perfectly replicated when printed.
As long as the aspect ratio of your phone camera correlates to the aspect ratio of the printed photo size, you will have no problem with distortion. Therefore, there will be no need to crop the image. The print would be the same as displayed on your phone.
Unfortunately, the most popular printing sizes are 4×6, thus a ratio of 2:3. 5×7-inch printings with an aspect ratio of 3.5:2.5 are also relatively common. The image on your smartphone will be cropped when printed as a 4×6 and a 5×7 photo. The difference would not be massive, so most people do not have a preference when printing cellphone-captured memories in either of these sizes.
Conclusion
When printing or planning to print out photos, it is crucial to keep the ratio of the shot in mind, especially when working in photography professionally. The aspect ratio and the image size will significantly affect the quality, overall look, and amount of detail included in the photo when printed.
When asking whether 4×6 inch photos or 5×7 inch photos are better, it is like asking if blue is better than pink. There is no answer to this question since it solely depends on the purpose and personal preference.
