lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

Maybe I should have asked this question first.

What exactly is a Pixel?

Does it have a specific size, or do they get smaller with advanced technology?

Are they round or square?

Yea, I know, that's three questions. but I got way more answers than that on the first question.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

A pixel is a receptor for photons. It can be large or small. It can be excited in many ways. (No. Don't go there.) When a 35mm (FF) sensor and an aps-c sensor both say they have 24 megapixels, each pixel on the 35mm is simply larger. That can (But not necessarily) allow it to respond to more photomic energy or signals.

If that's not enough, I'm sure there are many articles you can Google. I'm not a physicist. I'm a psychologist. I get excited in other ways. (And I'm only about 10 megapixels. LOL)

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I believe they are square; that would work best physically, but doesn't really affect what we do.

I don't believe there is any natural relationship between technology and pixel size. The main thing technology seems to bring is better dynamic range and reduced noise for a given size of pixel; DR and noise also improve as pixel size increases, so advances in technology lead to a choice between making pixels smaller but maintaining DR and noise, or keeping same size pixel and improving DR and noise, or something between those two alternatives.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

A picture element. Simple

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Since we're talking about sensors, that means silicon primarily??😛🤤