What is 3:2 aspect ratio?

Ratio: 3:2

Decimal: 1.5:1 (3 ÷ 2 = 1.5)

Shape: Slightly wider rectangle, natural for many subjects

Origin: 35mm film (36mm x 24mm)

When digital cameras emerged, many manufacturers kept the 3:2 ratio because:

• Photographers were accustomed to it
• Proven compositional format
• Heritage and tradition
• Works well for various subjects

Digital Cameras:

• 6000 x 4000 (24 megapixels)
• 7360 x 4912 (36 megapixels)
• 8192 x 5464 (45 megapixels)
• 9504 x 6336 (60 megapixels)

Print Sizes:

• 4" x 6"
• 6" x 9"
• 8" x 12"
• 12" x 18"
• 16" x 24"
• 20" x 30"

Common Screen Sizes:

• 3000 x 2000 (many tablets)
• 2160 x 1440 (some laptops)

Camera Systems:

• Canon DSLRs and mirrorless: EOS R series, 5D, 6D, etc.
• Nikon DSLRs and mirrorless: Z series, D850, D780, etc.
• Sony full-frame: A7 series, A9 series
• Leica: M series, SL series
• Fujifilm: Some X-series cameras

Devices:

• Microsoft Surface tablets (3:2 screens)
• Some premium laptops
• Photo frames
• Print standard sizes

• ✅Versatile Composition: Works for portraits and landscapes
• ✅Natural Crop: Easy to crop to other ratios
• ✅Print Friendly: Standard photo print sizes are 3:2
• ✅Historical Standard: Decades of photographic tradition
• ✅Balanced Shape: Not too wide, not too square
• ✅Portrait Orientation: Good vertical format

3:2 vs. 4:3 (Micro Four Thirds, some cameras):

• 3:2 is slightly wider (1.5:1 vs 1.33:1)
• 3:2 feels more "photographic"
• 4:3 is more square, better for some portraits
• 4:3 common in older digital cameras

3:2 vs. 16:9 (video standard):

• 3:2 is taller (1.5:1 vs 1.78:1)
• 16:9 is much wider, cinematic
• 3:2 better for portraits
• 16:9 better for landscapes and video

3:2 vs. 1:1 (square, Instagram):

• 3:2 is rectangular
• 1:1 is square
• 1:1 forces center composition
• 3:2 allows more directional composition

3:2 vs. 4:5 (portrait photography, Instagram):

• 3:2 is wider in landscape orientation
• 4:5 is taller, better for vertical portraits
• 4:5 popular on social media
• 3:2 more traditional

Landscape Photography:

• Good width for horizons
• Room for sky and foreground
• Not overly wide (like 16:9)
• Natural perspective

Portrait Photography:

• Excellent vertical format
• Room for head to toe shots
• Classic portrait proportions
• Easy to print

Street Photography:

• Versatile for unpredictable scenes
• Quick framing
• Traditional photojournalism ratio
• Works for horizontal and vertical

Architecture:

• Good for buildings
• Balances width and height
• Not too compressed
• Room for context

To 16:9 (for video/screens):

• Crop top and bottom
• Lose about 17% of height
• Creates cinematic look
• Good for panoramic scenes

To 4:3:

• Crop sides
• Lose about 11% of width
• More square composition
• Better for some displays

To 1:1 (square):

• Crop sides or top/bottom
• Lose 33% of longer dimension
• Instagram-friendly
• Forces different composition

To 4:5 (Instagram portrait):

• Crop width significantly
• Focus on vertical subject
• Modern social media look
• Lose horizontal context

Perfect Prints (no cropping):

• 4x6"
• 6x9"
• 8x12"
• 12x18"
• 16x24"
• 20x30"

Problematic Prints (requires cropping or borders):

• 5x7" (different ratio)
• 8x10" (different ratio)
• 11x14" (different ratio)

When printing 3:2 images to non-3:2 paper:

• Crop to fit (lose content)
• White borders (keep all content)
• Slight distortion (don't do this!)

Good for 3:2:

• Microsoft Surface devices
• Some premium laptops
• Digital photo frames designed for 3:2
• Vertical phone viewing (portrait photos)

Issues with 3:2:

• 16:9 TVs: Black bars on sides (portrait) or top/bottom (landscape)
• 4:3 screens: Small black bars
• Ultrawide monitors: Significant black bars

Full Frame (35mm equivalent):

• 36mm x 24mm sensor
• Most professional cameras
• Canon, Nikon, Sony, Leica

APS-C (crop sensor):

• ~23.6mm x 15.7mm (Canon)
• ~23.5mm x 15.6mm (Nikon/Sony)
• Many enthusiast cameras

35mm Film:

• Original 3:2 format
• 36mm x 24mm frame
• Scan to digital at 3:2

• ✅Planning to Print: Standard sizes match perfectly
• ✅Traditional Photography: Classic photographic look
• ✅Mixed Subjects: Don't know if landscape or portrait
• ✅Client Work: Professional standard
• ✅Maximum Flexibility: Easy to crop to other ratios later

• ❌Social Media Only: 4:5 or 1:1 might be better
• ❌Video Integration: 16:9 preferred
• ❌Web Display: 16:9 or 4:3 might work better
• ❌Specific Platform: Match platform requirements

Wedding Photography:

• Albums often designed for 3:2
• Classic, timeless look
• Easy printing
• Traditional format

Portrait Studios:

• Standard for headshots
• Professional expectation
• Print-ready format
• Client familiarity

Photojournalism:

• Historical standard
• Quick composition
• Versatile for news
• Works for publication

Fine Art:

• Artistic tradition
• Gallery-friendly
• Printable at standard sizes
• Professional appearance

4:5 (0.8:1):

• Instagram portrait standard
• Taller than 3:2
• Social media optimized
• Modern look

16:9 (1.78:1):

• Video standard
• Wider than 3:2
• Screen-friendly
• Cinematic

1:1 (Square):

• Instagram classic
• Unique composition
• No orientation issues
• Distinctive look

3:2 will remain relevant because:

• Established print standards
• Camera manufacturer tradition
• Professional expectation
• Versatile for many uses
• Easy to work with

However, competition from other ratios:

• 4:5 gaining popularity (social media)
• 16:9 for video integration
• 1:1 for Instagram aesthetic

Composition:

• Use rule of thirds effectively
• Plan for potential crops
• Leave breathing room
• Consider both orientations

Editing:

• Shoot slightly wider than needed
• Allows cropping to 16:9, 4:5, etc.
• Don't compose too tight
• Think about final use

Printing:

• Stick to 3:2 print sizes
• Or embrace white borders
• Don't crop important elements
• Consider mat boarding

Workflow:

• Import at full 3:2
• Crop for specific uses later
• Keep master files at 3:2
• Export variations as needed