Capturerange

Capturerange refers to the span of signal levels that a capture device can record accurately, from the smallest detectable signal above the noise floor to the largest signal that can be recorded without saturating the sensor. In imaging and sensing contexts, capturerange is commonly described as the dynamic range of the system, typically expressed in stops or decibels. A wider capturerange enables preservation of detail in both shadows and highlights; a narrow range increases the risk of clip or noise overpowering faint signals.

The capturerange is determined by several factors, including the sensor’s full-well capacity (the maximum charge a pixel can hold) and the read noise, in combination with the analog-to-digital converter's resolution. Dynamic range is often approximated as log2(FWC / noise). Technologies such as high-bit-depth ADCs and HDR exposure strategies can extend the usable range in practice, though physical limits remain.

In photography, capturerange is influenced by sensor type (CCD or CMOS), pixel size, optics, exposure settings, and post-processing, including tone mapping. In audio, a related concept is the dynamic range between the quietest discernible sound and the loudest undistorted signal. In other sensing domains (LIDAR, spectroscopy), the same principle applies, with units varying by signal type (radiance, optical power, or voltage).

Although not a formal standard term, capturerange is often used in product datasheets and research to summarize a device’s ability to capture signal variation. Readers should note the measurement method, units, and whether the range is specified as an intrinsic sensor capability or as a processed, tone-mapped value.