multimegapixel

Multimegapixel is a term used to describe image outputs that surpass a single megapixel resolution by combining data from multiple captures or sensors. In practice, multimegapixel imaging relies on computational techniques to produce an image with a higher effective resolution than any individual sensor frame could provide. The term is often used in discussions of high-resolution photography, where the goal is to retain fine detail and broad tonal range while preserving flexibility for cropping and large prints.

Techniques commonly employed include pixel shift, in which a sensor is moved by sub-pixel amounts across several exposures and the frames are merged into a higher-resolution result; multi-shot high-resolution capture, which stitches together several frames taken from the same viewpoint; and multi-sensor or multi-tile arrays, which combine parts of a scene captured by separate sensors. Modern cameras and imaging pipelines may also use computational fusion to improve sharpness, tone, and color by merging multiple exposures.

Applications include landscape photography, product and art reproduction, archival imaging, and scientific imaging where maximum detail is important. Multimegapixel images provide greater latitude for cropping and print sizes, but the benefits depend on scene stability and alignment accuracy.

Limitations include sensitivity to motion, misalignment, and parallax between frames, increased capture time and data storage, and higher processing requirements. Not all scenes are suitable for multimegapixel methods, and artifacts such as stitching seams or color inconsistencies can occur if capture conditions are not carefully controlled.