Image Ratio is an expression of how the width of a picture compares to the height of the picture.
It is important to understand Image Ratio because the ratio of the pictures straight out of your camera may not match the ratio of the medium you want to display them in. For example, a 3:2 image from a digital SLR will be stretched out of proportion to a 4:3 ratio if used as desktop wallpaper on most computers. Likewise, a 4:3 image from a compact camera would have to be manipulated in some way to fit the 3:2 ratio of a standard 4x6 print.

Below is a 3:2 image from a digital SLR, followed by examples of how it looks when stretched/squished to other common ratios.

3:2
(500 x 333)

Most 35mms
&
Digital SLRs;
4x6 prints

Screen Resolutions:

None
8:5
(500 x 313)		 Screen Resolutions:

1280 x 800
5:3
(500 x 300)		 Screen Resolutions:

1280 x 768
16:9
(500 x 281)

High-Def   TV;
DVDs

Screen Resolutions:

1280 x 720
4:3
(500 x 375)

Most
Compact Cameras;
Most
TV screens

Screen Resolutions:

640 x 480
800 x 600
1024 x 768
1152 x 864
1280 x 960
1600 x 1200
2048 x 1536

* Most Common
5:4
(500 x 400)		 Screen Resolutions:

1280 x 1024

There is no "best way" to deal with this lack of uniformity among mediums. But the good news is that unless you're designing wallpaper or making prints, it's not going to be a big problem. In those cases, you have two options. Let the image be stretched/squished out of proportion, or crop it to the desired ratio. Both of course alter the appearance of the image so which way you go is a matter or personal preference.

Ratio Calculator

~ Col's Collection ~