Google Photos: Storing photos as original quality and file size?

[mjerodriguez]

I just got the Samsung Note 8 and am using Pro Mode to take photos. I'm saving these images as both RAW (DNG) and JPEG file formats. I've set Google Photos to store all of my images as Original Quality/File Size.

Comparing the file sizes of my DNG/JPEG images in my Gallery (in other words, what is locally stored on my Note 8) to the file sizes of these images stored in Google Photos (when viewing Google Photos on the Note 8), the files sizes all match up perfectly. For example, in both Gallery and Google Photos on the Note 8, a given DNG shows as 15 MB while the accompanying JPEG shows as 2 MB.

However, and this is what has me a bit perplexed, when I view these same images via Google Photos on my HP Windows 10 laptop, the file sizes shown are a small fraction of what's shown on my Note 8. On the laptop, both the DNG and JPEG above each show as less than 1 MB in size. When I download that DNG file to the Photo Edit folder, it's still less than 1 MB. Obviously, when it comes to post-processing a DNG image, working with a file of less than 1 MB isn't going to allow for a quality result.

Not sure why there's this discrepancy between Google Photos on my Note 8 and Win 10 laptop. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

Additional note: I just checked Google Photos on my Samsung tablet and Toshiba Chromebook and same thing as with my Windows 10 laptop - the file sizes are showing at less than 1 MB each. Why is Google Photos on my Note 8 the only place I can see the full file size images?

 

[LuvULongTime]

Only Pixel phones get unlimited photo storage in Google photos at the original file size. When you are viewing the file sizes in the Google photos app on your phone I will guess and say it is showing the size of the local file on your device and not what is in the cloud.

 

[strikeIII]

Only Pixel phones get unlimited photo storage in Google photos at the original file size. When you are viewing the file sizes in the Google photos app on your phone I will guess and say it is showing the size of the local file on your device and not what is in the cloud.

Pixel phones will give you the unlimited storage of full quality but the OP has selected the option for full quality or Original even though it will count against his storage limits.

To the OP, I'm not sure why they are both showing the same file size. Mine definitely reflects the right file sizes in Google Photos. I took a quick example and too a screenshot.

 

[strikeIII]

I didn't get a chance to check it in my PC but going to Google photos on my iPhone and iPad and they both reflect the proper file size. I pay for 1TB of Google storage maybe the free plan doesn't allow full res RAW? Are you on the free Google Storage? Not sure what else would cause your issue.

 

[mjerodriguez]

Thanks to all for offering your advice. Just to clarify, I am seeing my full-resolution JPEG and DNG files when I access Google Photos ON my Note 8 (just like strikeIII). It's when I access Google Photos on my Windows 10 HP laptop, Samsung tablet and Toshiba Chromebook - that's where I'm seeing the files at a highly reduced size.

I have contacted Google's consumer support number and the representative there couldn't help me, said he wasn't trained in Google Photos. He did, however, pass along this email address for Google's developers: apps-help@google.com. Don't know what will come out of this but worth a try.

Again, thanks for responding to my post and offering your knowledge!

 

[strikeIII]

I just got the Samsung Note 8 and am using Pro Mode to take photos. I'm saving these images as both RAW (DNG) and JPEG file formats. I've set Google Photos to store all of my images as Original Quality/File Size.

Comparing the file sizes of my DNG/JPEG images in my Gallery (in other words, what is locally stored on my Note 8) to the file sizes of these images stored in Google Photos (when viewing Google Photos on the Note 8), the files sizes all match up perfectly. For example, in both Gallery and Google Photos on the Note 8, a given DNG shows as 15 MB while the accompanying JPEG shows as 2 MB.

However, and this is what has me a bit perplexed, when I view these same images via Google Photos on my HP Windows 10 laptop, the file sizes shown are a small fraction of what's shown on my Note 8. On the laptop, both the DNG and JPEG above each show as less than 1 MB in size. When I download that DNG file to the Photo Edit folder, it's still less than 1 MB. Obviously, when it comes to post-processing a DNG image, working with a file of less than 1 MB isn't going to allow for a quality result.

Not sure why there's this discrepancy between Google Photos on my Note 8 and Win 10 laptop. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

Additional note: I just checked Google Photos on my Samsung tablet and Toshiba Chromebook and same thing as with my Windows 10 laptop - the file sizes are showing at less than 1 MB each. Why is Google Photos on my Note 8 the only place I can see the full file size images?

Just as a follow up, when I look at my photos in Google Photos on my PC it does reflect the proper file size for RAW and JPG. So not sure why yours are not being backup properly. Are you sure you're shooting in PRO mode?

 

[mjerodriguez]

Yes, in PRO mode. As far as I know, DNG on the Note 8 is available only in Pro mode.

In the past two minutes I took some DNG/JPG images with the Note 8 and NOW the DNGs are showing as full-resolution on Google Photos on my laptop. JPGs, though, are still at a highly reduced size. I'm at a loss.

BTW, the apps-help@google.com is a No-Reply address so that's a waste of time.

 

[wsalopek]

Same thing is happening to me. On my phone (a Galaxy S8+), the DNG file is approx 19mb...on Google Photos, when viewing on my Windows PC thru the Chome browser, it's 3.3MB...and to make matters worse, when I download that file, to edit on my PC, it comes down as a JPG (of 3.3MB).

So is Google really storing my RAW files as JPG's and just CALLING THEM a DNG?

 

[wsalopek]

To add a twist...

I have Google Drive set to show a folder called Google Photos...which of course IS my Google Photos (being uploaded as "high quality". If I download the DNG file (which was origially 19MB) thru Google Drive, it downloads AS A DNG FILE (but still reduced to 3.3MB). If I download that same file thru Google Photos, it downloads as a JPG (3.3MB).