While individual photographers and videographers are free to use any aspect ratio they like, the industry as a whole has settled on a few standard options. Here, we explore some of the most common aspect ratios in photography and video, explaining why they were chosen and when they are typically used.
What is aspect ratio in photography and video?
Aspect ratio in photography and video is the relationship between the width and height of the image or video being displayed.
These are most commonly shown as units of width and height separated by a colon. However, they can also be displayed as a single number that equates to the width divided by the height.
For example, an aspect ratio of 3:2 could be displayed as 1.50 (3 divided by 2). Oftentimes, this number is then put back into ratio form – for example, 1.50:1.
It’s important to note that, when using the colon separation, aspect ratios are always arranged with the width first. So, if the above example is displayed in portrait orientation, the ratio would change to 2:3.
Why use different aspect ratios?
Several different factors dictate the use of a specific aspect ratio in digital photography or video.
The camera sensor
Different cameras use different sensors, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes and this is important because the camera’s sensor shape affects the image or video it makes.
For example, a photo from a full-frame camera looks wider than one from a medium-format camera. The reason for this is that full-frame sensors have a 3:2 ratio, whereas medium format sensors usually have an aspect ratio that results in images closer in shape to a square than a rectangle.
The display
Another reason is to optimize the image or video for the container in which it will be shown.
Examples of different displays could be a TV screen, computer monitor, social media feed, or even a printed picture frame.
A responsive website, for example, might require your content to be 16:9 because that’s the most common sizing of desktop monitors. On the other hand, a smartphone app might advise sizing more similar to 9:16 to suit the portrait orientation of smartphone screens.
Personal preference
Photographers and videographers may choose a particular ratio to suit the photograph or video they are trying to create.
In photography, for example, portraiture might lend itself to a 2:3 aspect ratio, while panoramic landscapes might work better in a much wider 3:1.
In most cases, this is done using post-production software, which makes it easy to crop content to your desired size. However, many cameras will allow you to select a specific aspect ratio at the point of capture.
What are the most used aspect ratios in digital photography?
While it is possible to crop a photograph to any aspect ratio, some are more prevalent than others.
1:1 in photography
Also known as the square format, 1:1 has been present in photography since the early large format cameras, and more recent Polaroid instant-film cameras. However, it has seen a huge surge in popularity in the era of digital photography due to the social media platform Instagram.
There are no consumer camera sensors in the 1:1 aspect ratio, but most digital cameras have the option to shoot in a square format within their menus.
5:4 (1.25:1) in photography
5:4 was made popular by photographers of years gone by who used 5×4 film in large format photography, as mentioned above.
This aspect ratio does exist in the era of digital sensors, but it is extremely rare. Nevertheless, its popularity has endured, and it remains a recognized standard for prints.
4:3 (1.33:1) in photography
4:3 is by far the most common aspect ratio in digital photography because it’s used in most mobile phone cameras, which are responsible for the vast majority of digital images today.
Furthermore, it is also used by Four Thirds, Micro Four Thirds, and digital medium format camera sensors.
3:2 (1.5:1) in photography
The aspect ratio of 3:2 is prevalent in the domain of digital photography, tracing back to the 35mm analog photographic film.
This specific ratio is adopted by all full-frame and APS-C sensors, constituting the predominant format utilized in DSLR, mirrorless, and compact cameras within the contemporary market.
16:9 (1.78:1) in photography
While 16:9 has not always been common in photography, it has gained popularity in more recent years due to the elongated shape of widescreen computer monitors and smartphone screens.
Sensors are not manufactured in this shape, but most cameras will offer this as a capture option in their settings.
What are the most used aspect ratios in digital video?
To a certain extent, understanding ratios in digital video is less complicated because there are fewer common variations to get used to. That said, there is a complex history behind why these have been chosen.
4:3 (1.33:1) in videography
4:3 (often referred to as fullscreen) was where it all began for video. It was originally adopted out of necessity rather than choice as it mirrored the sizing of film stock at the time. Nevertheless, it remained the cinema standard up until the introduction of widescreen formats in the 1950s.
It was also the standard of the consumer television screen and computer monitor right through to the late 1990s when manufacturers began phasing it out in favor of wider formats.
While 4:3 is rarely used in current digital video production and display, it can still be seen regularly in modern digitizations of older productions.
256:135 (1.90:1) in videography
When the television set started to appear in homes in the 1950s, the movie industry began to worry. After all, why would anyone pay to go to the movies when they can watch feature films in the comfort of their own homes?
The solution was to move away from the traditional 4:3 to offer a more immersive experience than television could. From then, widescreen cinema became the standard for movie theaters around the world, with Cinemascope and many others adopting a much wider 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
Although the specific technology of Cinemascope is now outdated, wider screens for films at movie theatres continue in the digital era.
The 256:135 (1.90:1) aspect ratio represents the complete framing capability of a Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) projector, constituting the maximum frame size achievable by such a projector. Consequently, many premium consumer mirrorless cameras are configured to record in the standard 1.90:1 format.
The final appearance of a video in a movie theater is contingent upon whether it is projected onto a FLAT (1.85:1) or SCOPE (2.39:1) screen, determining the aspect ratio. Recording at the 1.90 aspect ratio enables editors to tailor footage for either screen container during post-production optimization.
16:9 (1.78:1) in videography
The widescreen ratio of 16:9, now considered the contemporary standard for TVs and computer monitors, has become widely prevalent in current times.
While it’s the most common video format today, understanding its adoption as the successor to the 4:3 aspect ratio requires familiarity with various movie and TV ratios outlined earlier.
Manufacturers opted for the 16:9 ratio as the widescreen replacement for 4:3 due to its ability to strike a balanced compromise among the diverse ratios prevalent at that time.
This choice accommodated the narrower fullscreen 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio, the expansive Cinemascope 2.35:1 aspect ratio, and everything in between, minimizing unnecessary wastage, as depicted in the diagram below.
Swiftly embraced by manufacturers, 16:9 became the preferred ratio for the new era of high-definition digital TVs and computer monitors.
What are the most popular mobile aspect ratios?
While there is a set standard aspect ratio for TVs and a clear favorite for computer monitors, mobile device displays are much more varied due to the fact they are handheld devices.
Smartphone screens adopt a portrait orientation to achieve the most comfortable ergonomics. However, actual aspect ratios can differ significantly from model to model.
The key reason for such variation is the interactive nature of mobile device touchscreens, in that they are both the display and the control panel at the same time.
For example, the latest Google Pixel phone, the Pixel 8, has a 6.2-inch display with a 20:9 aspect ratio whereas the iPhone 15 has a 6.1-inch display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio.
With user experience such an important USP in the tech industry, it’s unlikely this variation in smartphone and tablet screen aspect ratios will change any time soon.
What are the best aspect ratios for social media?
The perfect ratio depends on a few things such as what platform you’re posting to, the type of content, and your audience’s preferences. Allowing room for experimentation is key but there are some guidelines to keep in mind.
For Instagram, the square (1:1) ratio is best suited for feed posts, while landscape (16:9) shines for scenic shots and portraits (4:5) are best for close-ups. However, stories and reels are typically best suited to a 9:16 portrait format.
When it comes to video, long-form YouTube videos are best in the landscape style (16:9), whereas Reels, Snapchat and TikTok prefer portrait (9:16).
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