I exported a catalog of smart previews (no raw files) to my external hd, connected it to my laptop to edit the catalog, then decided to add the folder of raw files so I could process and finish the job right there on my laptop. However, ever time I tried to output a full-size .jpg file it would only be 10MBs when opened, rather than the usual 90-95MB. So I tried outputting as a 22" x 300dpi file and although it was then much larger, the resolution was terrible. What the heck could be going on?
If you exported a catalog with only smart previews (no raw) files, then that catalog still points to the original location of the raw files. You say you "then decided to add the folder of raw files so I could process and finish the job right there on my laptop", but most likely that will only have added to raw images to the external drive, but not 'reconnected' them to Lightroom. So as far as Lightroom is concerned, you are still only working with smart previews.
If you 'reconnected' Lightroom to that folder, then there shouldn't be a problem. Check your Export dialog settings. Maybe you resize the image on export without realising it.
What quality setting are you using? About 10 MB is exactly what I would expect for a jpeg export at around 85 quality from a Z7. Between 10 and 20 MB is typically what I get from my Z7 files when exported at full res at high (i.e. 85%) quality. If you mean that Photoshop shows 10 MB in the document size indicator than you probably only have smart previews indeed. It should show 130 MB there for Z7 files.
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