Are the extra bits in 12 bit RAW for more detail in illumination color channels? Does this put an upper limit on HDR image quality?
motoole2
Yes! Instead of the usual 256 pixel values, you would get 2^12 = 4096 pixel values to work with for each color channel. This also, in turn, influences the dynamic range of your sensor (the range between brightest/darkest pixels, where dark refers to the pixel value with a signal-to-noise ratio of 1). We'll get to talk more about high-dynamic range (HDR) imaging in the next lecture; I'll even demo a few special cameras too.
Are the extra bits in 12 bit RAW for more detail in illumination color channels? Does this put an upper limit on HDR image quality?
Yes! Instead of the usual 256 pixel values, you would get 2^12 = 4096 pixel values to work with for each color channel. This also, in turn, influences the dynamic range of your sensor (the range between brightest/darkest pixels, where dark refers to the pixel value with a signal-to-noise ratio of 1). We'll get to talk more about high-dynamic range (HDR) imaging in the next lecture; I'll even demo a few special cameras too.