Pixel size vs Bit Size
Apr 2, 2019 05:26:41 #
With the appropriate lens, the number of available pixels or sample points for recording (Figure 3A vs 3B) dictate how much detail can be captured. Figure 3A & 3B, both use a 4bit gradient, meaning both can can show 16 shades of grey. But 3B has more pixels compared to 3A, so it was able to show more detail because having more boxes to fill, it was able to use of more of the available shades.
On the other hand, the software (together with the sensor/electronics technology & pixel size) will indicate how much Color depth/gamut is possible (gradation/shade recorded per Bit - Figure 1,2 & 3)
The computer records them as groups called bits, like the 8bit/12bit/16bit/jpeg or RAW files where each bit is a group of bytes corresponding to a single shade. Higher bits produces a smoother gradient transition.
Figures 1A, 2A, 3A & 3B Shows how each would show a black pearl image.
Please note that this is a very simplified explanation.
Sensor only capture intensity of light. Hence, the matrix of the sensor are divided where some pixels have filters that allow only the green to pass, to output green signals. Others have red and the remaining with blue. Each one giving its share of the RGB signals whose blending produces the other colors/shade.
Technically, a 1megapixel camera, is only a 0.33megapixel camera. Because only 1/3 of its sensor record records each color*(not exactly true because some sensors have filters that favor recording more of one of the colors, such as the Bayer filter which allot more pixels for recording green). A group of 3 colorpixels are needed to show each point of color in the gamut.
To combat these inefficiencies, various software filters and algorithms like smoothing, dithering etc. are applied to the output. New technologies are also being explored such as pixel shifting & colored sensor layering
On the other hand, the software (together with the sensor/electronics technology & pixel size) will indicate how much Color depth/gamut is possible (gradation/shade recorded per Bit - Figure 1,2 & 3)
The computer records them as groups called bits, like the 8bit/12bit/16bit/jpeg or RAW files where each bit is a group of bytes corresponding to a single shade. Higher bits produces a smoother gradient transition.
Figures 1A, 2A, 3A & 3B Shows how each would show a black pearl image.
Please note that this is a very simplified explanation.
Sensor only capture intensity of light. Hence, the matrix of the sensor are divided where some pixels have filters that allow only the green to pass, to output green signals. Others have red and the remaining with blue. Each one giving its share of the RGB signals whose blending produces the other colors/shade.
Technically, a 1megapixel camera, is only a 0.33megapixel camera. Because only 1/3 of its sensor record records each color*(not exactly true because some sensors have filters that favor recording more of one of the colors, such as the Bayer filter which allot more pixels for recording green). A group of 3 colorpixels are needed to show each point of color in the gamut.
To combat these inefficiencies, various software filters and algorithms like smoothing, dithering etc. are applied to the output. New technologies are also being explored such as pixel shifting & colored sensor layering
Apr 2, 2019 06:15:52 #
Apr 2, 2019 07:25:37 #
Apr 2, 2019 19:29:48 #
A bit is not made up of multiple bytes. A bit has no size. It’s the simplest state of data and it’s either off or on. A byte is made up of 8 bits. JPEGs are based on 24 bits, or three bytes, one byte for each, red, green and blue. This gives each pixel a 256 tonal values for each color. If you shout RAW it’s based on either 12 or 14 bits for each color, which gives you 4096 or 16,384 tonal values per color, respectively.
Apr 2, 2019 20:42:09 #
SuperflyTNT wrote:
A bit is not made up of multiple bytes. A bit has no size. It’s the simplest state of data and it’s either off or on. A byte is made up of 8 bits. JPEGs are based on 24 bits, or three bytes, one byte for each, red, green and blue. This gives each pixel a 256 tonal values for each color. If you shout RAW it’s based on either 12 or 14 bits for each color, which gives you 4096 or 16,384 tonal values per color, respectively.
Correct, bit is not made up of multiple bytes, but I didn't catch that in the explanation.
A bit is either on or off, white or black. This is a simplistic explanation.
You are making it more complicated that it needs to be for many people.
(I've been working with bits, bytes, nibbles, and words since 1972.)
Apr 3, 2019 00:05:29 #
SuperflyTNT wrote:
A bit is not made up of multiple bytes. A bit has no size. It’s the simplest state of data and it’s either off or on. A byte is made up of 8 bits. JPEGs are based on 24 bits, or three bytes, one byte for each, red, green and blue. This gives each pixel a 256 tonal values for each color. If you shout RAW it’s based on either 12 or 14 bits for each color, which gives you 4096 or 16,384 tonal values per color, respectively.
Yes i got the term swapped. :-)
It should read as:
"The computer records them as groups of bits, like the 8bit/12bit/16bit/jpeg or RAW files where each group of bits is a byte and corresponds to a single shade/color. More bits per byte can produce more variations thus a smoother gradient transition."
Thanks for bringing that to attention.
A further note. At present, the byte has been a de-facto standard of 8bits. Hence, a 16bit file is actually 2bytes per single shade.
Apr 3, 2019 07:08:44 #
Wallen wrote:
Yes i got the term swapped. :-) br br It should r... (show quote)
Haha - I read past it... I knew what you meant!
(He shoulda quoted the erroneous line.)
Apr 3, 2019 10:33:54 #
Apr 3, 2019 11:08:20 #
SuperflyTNT wrote:
...
A bit has no size. It’s the simplest state of data and it’s either off or on.
.....
...
A bit has no size. It’s the simplest state of data and it’s either off or on.
.....
A bit has a size of one. No size would be nothing.
Apr 3, 2019 12:11:38 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
Longshadow wrote:
A bit has a size of one. No size would be nothing.
How many atoms make up a bit.
Apr 3, 2019 13:52:00 #
Apr 3, 2019 15:41:05 #
Longshadow wrote:
A bit has a size of one. No size would be nothing.
It actually has a state. And it’s smaller than Rhode Island
Apr 3, 2019 15:42:12 #
SuperflyTNT wrote:
It actually has a state. And it’s smaller than Rhode Island
(Rhode Island or /Rhode Island?)
Apr 3, 2019 18:42:55 #
TheShoe
Loc: Lacey, WA
Wallen wrote:
A further note. At present, the byte has been a de-facto standard of 8bits. Hence, a 16bit file is actually 2bytes per single shade.
A further note. At present, the byte has been a de-facto standard of 8bits. Hence, a 16bit file is actually 2bytes per single shade.
Since we are dealing with matters of definition, there is nothing de facto about it, it is 8 bits. In the earlier days when Hollerith Cards and Binary Coded Decimal were in use, the character was 6 bits. With later machines, a larger range of values was needed, which, in turn, meant that something was needed to replace the term "character". Enter the byte which is defined as 8 bits (a bit is 1 binary digit).
Apr 3, 2019 19:13:32 #
TheShoe wrote:
Since we are dealing with matters of definition, there is nothing de facto about it, it is 8 bits. In the earlier days when Hollerith Cards and Binary Coded Decimal were in use, the character was 6 bits. With later machines, a larger range of values was needed, which, in turn, meant that something was needed to replace the term "character". Enter the byte which is defined as 8 bits (a bit is 1 binary digit).
Then later came the terms "word" and "nibble"...
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.