Prepared 2007-12-09
by Bill Claff
Updated 2012-01-13
Photographic Dynamic Range Defined
Photographic dynamic range is a practical measure of the ability of the sensor to capture an image that will have acceptable noise at a normal enlargement and viewing distance.
This is distinctly different from dynamic range as defined in engineering terms.
How Photographic Dynamic Range is Determined
The raw data from a series of dark images is analyzed for Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR).
The SNR values are adjusted for the Circle of Confusion (CoC) that is appropriate for the sensor size.
The signal value at which this corrected SNR crosses the value of 20 is used to compute a Dynamic Range (DR) value as an Exposure Value (log2).
Photographic Dynamic Range for Nikon DSLRs
