diff --git a/apps/autocal/src/orisys_autocal/ui/capture_settings_dialog.py b/apps/autocal/src/orisys_autocal/ui/capture_settings_dialog.py
index 3be7f66..fa97f3b 100644
--- a/apps/autocal/src/orisys_autocal/ui/capture_settings_dialog.py
+++ b/apps/autocal/src/orisys_autocal/ui/capture_settings_dialog.py
@@ -65,6 +65,10 @@ DEFAULT_MBIT_PER_S = 10.0
 #: itself. It only shapes the size estimate, never a recorded window.
 STEP_OVERHEAD_S = 5.0
 
+#: Qt's "no limit" for a widget's height, and the tallest preview this dialog shows.
+_UNBOUNDED = 16777215
+_PREVIEW_MAX_HEIGHT = 200
+
 #: One probe per process. The probe writes three real clips, and every window in
 #: this app would otherwise repeat it; the answer cannot change while the process
 #: runs because it is a property of this machine's OpenCV build.
@@ -130,11 +134,14 @@ class CaptureSettingsDialog(QDialog):
         self.input_group = QGroupBox(page)
         self.input_group.setObjectName("groupBox")
         input_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.input_group)
-        # The input panel is the live image plus its controls. It stays bounded
-        # here: the dialog has four sections, and a preview that expands would push
-        # the bundle, session and recording settings below the fold on every screen.
-        source_panel.setMaximumHeight(320)
+        # The input panel is the live image plus its controls. The preview is what
+        # is bounded here: the dialog has four sections, and a preview that expands
+        # would push the bundle, session and recording settings below the fold. The
+        # panel itself is never capped. Its field rows, buttons and hints need
+        # their natural height, and a cap below that squeezes them into each other.
+        source_panel.setMaximumHeight(_UNBOUNDED)
         source_panel.preview.setMinimumSize(140, 90)
+        source_panel.preview.setMaximumHeight(_PREVIEW_MAX_HEIGHT)
         input_layout.addWidget(source_panel)
         self.input_group.setSizePolicy(
             QSizePolicy.Policy.Preferred, QSizePolicy.Policy.Maximum
diff --git a/apps/autocal/tests/test_capture_page.py b/apps/autocal/tests/test_capture_page.py
index d1ffb69..98d4f75 100644
--- a/apps/autocal/tests/test_capture_page.py
+++ b/apps/autocal/tests/test_capture_page.py
@@ -734,3 +734,24 @@ def test_a_stored_unavailable_codec_does_not_become_the_selection(make_window):
     assert settings.codec.currentData() == "mp4v"
     assert settings.recording_options().codec == "mp4v"
     window.close()
+
+
+def test_the_settings_dialog_does_not_squeeze_the_input_rows(make_window, qt_app):
+    """The input panel keeps its natural height: no row may overlap the next one."""
+    window = make_window()
+    page = window.calibration_panel
+    dialog = page.settings
+    dialog.resize(720, 700)
+    dialog.show()
+    for _ in range(5):
+        qt_app.processEvents()
+    panel = window.finger_source_panel
+
+    assert panel.height() >= panel.minimumSizeHint().height()
+    video = panel.video_path.geometry()
+    config = panel.config_ref.geometry()
+    assert video.bottom() < config.top(), (video, config)
+    # The preview stays bounded, so the sections below remain reachable.
+    assert panel.preview.height() <= 200
+    dialog.close()
+    window.close()