Will the clarity and sharpness differ when resizing different sized photographs in Photoshop or any

If one takes a photo on their digital camera at their highest resolution say, 1,600 x 1,200 pixels and then resizes it down to 640 x 480. And then shoots another photo at 1,024 x 768 pixels and resizes to the same size, 640 x 480. Will the clarity and sharpness differ between the two? Should I always shoot at highest setting?

It will differ but most likely you will not notice it. Especially when you are talking about 640X480. However, I will still take all my pictures at the highest possible setting. Here is why.

1. Sometimes, good pictures are taken by accident. Having it at the highest possible setting will ensure you to be able to make large print if necessary.

2. You can always downsize the picture without losing any detail or sharpness but you cannot up-size the picture without losing quality.

3. Memories and hard drives are not expensive now a days. When I can get the best out of my camera, why not?

Well, that's me. If you only take picture to post it up on the web and knowing you won't be printing any of it what so ever, using a lower setting can save you time on having to resize it on your computer. It will differ to a certain degree. Keep in mind that the image format that a picture is stored in is a processed and compressed digital data file. So the more pixel data available for processing in a program like Photoshop, the beter results you'll have when you resize, sharpen, etc.

But remember that you'll be trading off. The higher resolution settings take up more memory, eat more battery power and are more likely to take longer to transfer to your computer. A lot depends on what you intend to do with the photo. For example, publishing it on the web and printing it as a 30x40 sized portrait, are two entirely different situations. Resolution won’t mean as much for the web as it will for the portrait. Up to a certain point, the resolution of the two examples you give, won’t show. But, as the size increases, resolution becomes more critical. A lot has to do with the camera sensor. Also, keep in mind that clarity and sharpness have more to do with the photographer than the resolution of the camera.