Question:
What is the purpose of IMAGE ASPECT when shooting?

Answer:
The IMAGE ASPECT function is used to change the aspect ratio (horizontal-to-vertical ratio) of images and can be viewed when taking pictures using Live View mode. The default aspect ratio is 4:3, which is the aspect ratio of the imaging sensor. Different aspect ratios offer creative flexibility in how you shoot a photograph. As an example the 6:6 square format is popular among many fine art, portrait and wedding photographers, and offers a different look to the image from the standard 4:3 aspect. The 4:3 aspect is ideal when you are shooting to fit to the traditional print and screen sizes, such as 8” x 10” or an 8.5” x 11” page. Each aspect has its advantage in creating the photo you want. The most common and popular aspect ratios are the 4:3, 3:2, 6:6 and 9:16 formats.

Olympus DSLR and PEN cameras provide up to nine aspect ratio options, depending on the camera model. This allows a photographer to pre-visualize and shoot for specific print formats. For example — if the assignment were to shoot an event that will be printed as albums of 4 x 6 inch prints, the shooting image aspect ratio would be set to 3:2. If the assignment were to shoot cover art for a CD sleeve, 6:6 would be selected since this would yield square images.

The table below shows the aspect ratios that are available in Olympus DSLR and PEN cameras, usage recommendations for each ratio and the image size options for JPEG images captured using that ratio. Select the one that best fits the expression and purpose of the images.

“For pixel resolution” please consult your camera manual.

4:3	This is the native format of many camera sensors. It is ideal for showing on most computer screens, tablets, and printing to 8.5 x 11 paper or magazine and other print media.	Default; the aspect ratio used by the imaging sensor
3:2	This is the aspect used in 4”x6” prints, and is a common size for many photo albums.	The aspect ratio of 35 mm film; and 4 x 6-inch prints
16:9	This is the format HD movies are shot in and makes a great format for wide sweeping vista and panoramic shots.	The aspect ratio of HDTV and widescreen TVs
6:6	Popularized by wedding and portrait photographers, this is a great format for producing interesting compositions and macro shots.	Square aspect ratio; medium format camera
5:4	Matching the most popular enlargement size the 5:4 aspect is one of the more popular for printing.	Ideal for 8 x 10-inch prints
7:6	A closer to square format often used in for studio work and portraits, to produce a 8” x 9.6” or 10” x 12” print.	Medium format camera; 10 x 12-inch prints
6:5	A closer to square format often used in for studio work and portraits, to produce a 8” x 9.6” or 10” x 12” print.	Medium format camera; 10 x 12-inch prints
7:5	Mimics the format of a view camera for a classic format look to the images.	Large format camera
3:4	This is the same format as the 4:3 but in a horizontal crop, and can be used for the same types of photographs.	Four Thirds format, vertical composition

When a non-default aspect ratio is selected, JPEG images are cropped and recorded using the selected aspect ratio. When the JPEG images are reviewed in Playback mode or in the OLYMPUS software, they are displayed at the cropped dimensions. Some E-System cameras will not apply the crop initially if the image is taken through the viewfinder. Because the viewfinder cannot display the selected aspect ratio, the selection will display on the image in the Olympus software. It can then be applied and crop the image. This is similar to the handling of RAW images, described below:

RAW images are not cropped, but the aspect ratio information is recorded to the digital files with the image data at the time of shooting. When a RAW image is reviewed in Playback mode or in the OLYMPUS software, the uncropped image data is shown overlaid by a template, or frame, based on the selected aspect ratio. The frame is provided as a reference so you can preview the effect of applying the crop.

Note: The aspect ratio information stored with RAW images can be used to crop the images in the camera (via the EDIT menu) or in the OLYMPUS software. The software may require an update to recognize the saved aspect ratio information.

Even though you can shoot in the aspect ratios with the optical viewfinder, it is not possible to preview the aspect ratio in because the viewfinder does not generate an electronic image. The framing of image aspect ratios can only be seen on the LCD monitor when shooting using Live View.

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