243megapixel

243megapixel, abbreviated 243 MP, is a measure of digital image resolution equal to 243 million pixels. It is used to describe either the native resolution of an imaging sensor or the final resolution of a photograph produced by computational imaging processes.

Native 243 MP sensors are uncommon and typically appear in specialized or research contexts. More often, 243 MP is achieved by combining multiple images through stitching or super-resolution techniques, creating a high-resolution panorama or composite.

File size and data requirements for a 243 MP image are substantial. Uncompressed 14-bit RGB data would be roughly 1.0 to 1.3 gigabytes per frame, while 8-bit RGB would be about 0.7 gigabytes. Compressed formats vary, with factors such as content and color depth affecting the final size. These large files demand significant storage, bandwidth, and processing power in typical camera workflows.

Applications for 243 MP images include aerial mapping, satellite or remote sensing imagery, industrial inspection, archival and art reproduction, and certain scientific or research imaging where maximum spatial detail is valuable. In photography, such resolutions may arise from high-end digital backs for large-format cameras or from computational photography workflows that stitch many exposures.

Challenges associated with 243 MP imaging include maintaining sharpness and color accuracy across the full frame, avoiding diffraction and lens aberrations, managing sensor noise and demosaicing artifacts, and handling extended processing times and large memory requirements. The practical benefits depend on the quality of optics, sensor performance, and the downstream workflow.

See also: megapixel, image resolution, panoramic photography, computational photography, image stitching.