Samsung gx20 jpeg settings?

Evening. As I have previously shot in raw ,I am a tad confused with the gx20 jpeg settings. The reason i ask is my 4gb sd cards holds 160 raw images compared to 450 jpeg images. And as I am off to Thailand I'd like to be able to have more images, however I do have 4 cards but is this just the same old jpeg v raw scenario?.

Of course RAW provides the best source for post processing, but the JPEG quality is very good if you get the exposure right.

The JPEG "star" quality setting is to do with compression rather than resolution. 4 star is the least compressed and best for post processing. Heavy compression shows up as blobby bits around the outline of objects, for one thing.

I see from your other thread that you'll be taking a netbook and external HDD. That means you can shoot as much RAW as you want to and transfer it to the HDD.

Carl,

If they are going to be anything more than 'holiday snaps', then shoot RAW. That way you will have much more latitude in terms of post-processing when you get home. After all, it will be more of challenge to return for a re-shoot, if you can't edit them the way you'd like.

Hmm... But then on the other hand, it would be a good excuse to go back...

ok i think i will go the raw root, just will have to spend a bit more time post processing

You could always get bigger SD cards as well. I bought a 16gb card for my picture frame from Amazon for £18. The frame was faulty so I sent it back. I tried the card (Class 2) in the K20D and was amazed how useable it still is. I think I can get about 550 RAW files on it.

I think the GX20 Jpegs are pretty good out of the box (assuming you use the minimun compression setting). I find if you add a bit of saturation and contrast they come out looking pretty good with only a bit of sharpening needed after.

That said, I'd shoot RAW as nowadays flash memory is so cheap and if you do need to tweek any pictures its so much easier in RAW.