Aspect ration versus print size is an important issue to understand when printing your photographs. When digital cameras appeared on the scene they were designed to mimic the look and operation of analog cameras. Even today’s DSLR cameras have sensor sizes based on traditional analog film formats.
Why does aspect ratio matter when printing?
It matters because aspect ratio, the proportion of your camera’s sensor length vs. width, determines how your image fits on a piece of printing paper. If you choose a print size that does not match the aspect ratio of your camera image, then you will need to crop your image to fit on the print. Use the chart below to give you an Idea of the print size that matches your camera’s sensor or film size.