What is Capture Australia?

Capture Australia is a photo digitisation service that scans printed photos and albums using proprietary glare-removal technology. We work with a network of partner shops in Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. Customers drop off their albums or loose prints at a local partner shop, and the shop handles the scanning before returning the originals safely.

Where do I get my photos scanned?

Capture Australia operates through partner shops in Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. You bring your albums or loose prints to the nearest partner location, leave them for scanning, and collect them once the job is done. Visit captureaus.com/where-to-scan to find your closest shop and its opening hours.

What technology does Capture Australia use to remove glare?

Capture Australia uses a proprietary 8-layer glare-removal process. The scanner captures multiple exposures of each photo through the album plastic sleeve, then processes those layers to strip out glare and reflections. The output is a clear, detailed digital copy, produced without ever removing the photo from the album.

Do my photos need to come out of the album?

No. The scanning technology works through album plastic sleeves and pages, so your photos stay exactly where they are throughout the process. There is no risk of tearing, bending or damaging the originals at any point.

What sizes of photos does Capture Australia scan?

Capture Australia scans printed photos across a wide range of sizes. Small wallet prints, standard 4x6 inch and 5x7 inch photographs, 8x10 portraits and larger prints up to and including large format scanning of framed portraits and artworks, with a capture area of up to 45cm x 70cm. The proprietary scanning equipment is physically installed at each partner shop, built specifically to handle this full size range without removing photos from their sleeves, albums or frames. The same 8-layer glare-removal technology applies at every scale, so the digital output is sharp and consistent whether the print is a pocket-sized snap or a large framed portrait or artwork. Slides, negatives and film require different equipment and some partner shops like Photoland, Camera House and Retromedia offer these services. The wider Capture group covers those formats outside of Australia at capture.com and capture.hk.

How are my digitised photos delivered?

Once scanning is complete, your photos are delivered as high-resolution digital files on a USB drive or via a secure online downloadable link. Confirm the delivery method with your partner shop when you drop off your photos.

Is Capture Australia listed in Google Photos?

Yes. You can find Capture Australia in the Google Photos app import function. In the Google Photos app or website, tap the '+' button, select 'From other places', then choose 'Digitise physical photos' to find us. After we deliver your files via USB or downloadable link, you upload them to your Google Photos account yourself through the app on your own device.

Is the scan quality consistent across all partner shops?

Yes. Every partner shop uses the same Capture Australia proprietary scanning workflow and glare-removal technology, so the output quality is consistent regardless of which location handles the job. Each photo goes through the same multi-layer processing at every shop.

How much does photo scanning cost in Australia?

The cost depends on your situation: the partner shop you use, the size of your collection, whether you need express turnaround, and whether any additional manual steps are involved, such as archival full-page captures or handling unusually fragile prints. Our semi-automated scanning workflow keeps the baseline cost low, because the technology does the heavy lifting on each photo rather than requiring hour-by-hour manual labour. Different partner shops run their own promotions from time to time, and larger collections can qualify for better rates. The best way to get an accurate figure is to contact your nearest partner shop with a rough count of your photos and albums.

Standard Photo Sizes Guide | Capture Australia

Guide to Standard Photo SizesLearn standard photo sizes to ensure perfect prints. Discover dimensions for photo printing and framing, and preserve your memories flawlessly.

What Is a Standard Photo Size?

A standard photo size refers to the most commonly used dimensions for printing and framing pictures like 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10 inches. These match most photo paper, albums, and frames, making them easy to use at home or through a print shop.

Each standard photo print size follows a specific aspect ratio:

3:2 – Matches most DSLR cameras (ideal for 4x6)
4:3 – Common in smartphone photos
1:1 – Perfect for square formats and social media
16:9 – Better for widescreen or landscape shots, but not standard for prints

So, should you use 4:3 or 16:9 for photos? It depends. For printing, 4:3 is more traditional and easier to frame. 16:9 is best for digital use or widescreen displays.

When you convert photographs to digital, understanding these ratios helps you choose the right photo dimensions - avoiding the need for cropping or resizing later on.

Common Photo Print Sizes and How to Use Them

There’s no one “normal photo size,” but a few dimensions are far more common than others. These typical photograph sizes work well for different needs:

4x6 inches – The classic regular photo size for everyday prints, albums, or quick snapshots. It's based on a 3:2 ratio.
5x7 inches – Slightly larger and more refined. Great for framed gifts or desk displays.
8x10 inches – A popular portrait size, ideal for formal photos or wall prints. Slight cropping may occur due to its 5:4 ratio.
2x3 inches (Wallet-size) – Used for school photos, IDs, or keepsakes.
11x14 or 16x20 inches – Best for wall art, decorative prints, or statement pieces.

Are standard photos 4x6 or 5x7?

Both are considered standard, but 4x6 is the most common. It’s widely used for photo books and casual printing. 5x7 is often preferred for framed photos or gifting.

Is 3x5 a standard photo size?

It used to be more popular for older print formats. Today, 3x5 is less common, but still considered a standard photo print size in some contexts.

When you scan old photos, keep in mind that not every scan will translate perfectly to large print sizes. If the original photo doesn’t match the chosen aspect ratio, enlarging it may cause stretching, pixelation, or unwanted cropping. That’s why understanding standard photo sizes can help preserve both the quality and intent of the original image.

Photo Dimensions and Resolution

Photo dimensions refer to the pixel size of a digital image or the inch size of a printed photo. For digital, it's listed as width x height in pixels (e.g., 1200 x 1800). For prints, it's inches (e.g., 4x6).

To get a high-quality print, divide pixel size by DPI (dots per inch). Example:

1200 ÷ 300 = 4 inches
1800 ÷ 300 = 6 inches
→ That gives you a crisp 4x6 print.

Phone photos often save at 72 DPI, which looks fine on screens but may appear blurry when printed. Always aim for 200-300 DPI for professional-looking prints.

Standard Photo Print Sizes Explained

Choosing a standard photo print size isn't just about inches - it’s about preserving the original composition. A photo taken in 4:3 won’t fit neatly into an 8x10 (which is 5:4) without cropping.

This becomes especially important when printing digitised images. A mismatched aspect ratio may stretch, blur, or cut off parts of the image.

At Capture, we make sure every image from our photo scanning service is preserved in the correct original size and print-ready resolution, so you're always ready to print or share.

Regular vs. Custom Photo Sizes

Sticking with regular photo sizes like 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10 has its perks:

Easy to print
Fit into standard frames
Cost-effective
No need for cropping

Custom photo sizes may be required for:

Panoramic images
Collage layouts
Artistic prints
Digital photo frames

These options offer creative freedom but often need higher-resolution images and specialised framing. Unless your project requires something unique, standard photo sizes will cover most needs.

What to Know About Frames

Many frames include a mat, which reduces the visible area. For example, a frame labeled 11x14 may only show an 8x10 image. Always check the opening size before printing.

Standard sizes like 4x6 and 5x7 are easy to frame. Once you go custom or extra-large, prices rise and availability drops. Budget-friendly stores like IKEA.com.au , Amazon, Officeworks Frameshop offer a wide range of frames for the most common dimensions.

Fast Lookup: Common Photo Sizes

| Photo Size | Common Uses

| 4x6 inches | Photo albums, casual prints, photo books

| 5x7 inches | Framed gifts, shelf or desk display

| 8x10 inches | Portraits, standout wall prints

| 11x14 inches | Wall art, decorative displays

Capture specialises in digitising, organising, and preserving your memories in the right sizes, so they're always ready to share, frame, or print from Kmart Officeworks Big W or online services like Vistaprint. You can even put them in Digital Photo Frames, easily purchased from popular retailers like JB Hi-fi or Amazon

Why Standard Photo Sizes Make a Difference

Standard photo sizes help keep prints sharp, well-framed, and easy to organise or display. Without using the right dimensions, prints can appear awkward, get cropped in the wrong places, or require costly reprints. Choosing the correct size from the beginning helps avoid these issues and ensures better results for both personal and professional projects.

From everyday albums to large art prints, every size has a purpose. Now that you know what to look for, you can pick the best fit for your photo without guessing.

Need help digitising, resizing, or preserving your photos? Capture Australia makes the process simple - from scans to ready-to-print files in the dimensions you need.