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Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 9:49am On Jul 16, 2020
PIXEL BINNING.
Small pixels inside image sensors do okay in bright daylight especially if the resolution is high enough, but they do poorly in low light or at night. This is because, light is the most important ingredient in a photo so if there’s no light, you’ll get no photos.
A good way to combat this is to make the pixels bigger in size, but then you’ll have to remember that smartphone camera sizes are small. Some companies also like to keep the small pixels as they can fit more onto a slightly larger sensor and they’re good for marketing too. 48MP sounds way cooler than 12MP


So the other way to solve this small pixel problem is to combine several small pixels together to act as one. The most common method in use is joining 4 pixels together to act as one super pixels. This way the small pixels can catch more light and give out better shots but there is a catch. Pixel binning effectively reduces the effective resolution of the camera to ¼ of its original resolution.


In pixel binning, a 64MP camera may actually have 64 million pixels on the image sensor but it will output (64/4=) 16MP photos. A 48MP sensor can be binned to produce 12MP shots. This binning is actually done in the sensor by the companies that produce these cameras and not the phone makers themselves.

Many midrange SoCs cannot handle resolutions over 25MP so the camera sensor bins the image down. This binned images, for example a 12MP binned photo however contains a lot more details than a normal 12MP would because a lot more pixels helped to capture it. The camera sensor then hands over this 12MP binned image to the ISP in RAW format. The ISP then let's the photo software on the OS edit the photo and give out the final image.

Despite being binned, these cameras are still capable of taking higher resolution photos through a manual mode where the user is allowed to tinker with advanced camera settings like shutter speed, ISO, focus etc. The sensor will still give binned photos to the ISP. The ISP will then upscale these photos to a higher resolution, maybe not as much as the 48 or 64MP but it could go pretty high.

This is only an excerpt.

If you want to know how cameras see colour, what filters are, what a quad Bayer sensor is etc.

https://inquisitiveuniverse./2020/07/15/lets-talk-cameras-3/

Help yourself. Knowledge is free.

Image 1 A Bayer filter covering the pixels on a sensor

Image 2 A Quad Bayer sensor showing how four pixels are combined together to produce better image quality but reduces the resolution

6 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by Lavoca: 9:54am On Jul 16, 2020
cheesy
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by Rayliousity(m): 10:11am On Jul 16, 2020
I'm on board.. Op you're doing well

2 Likes

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by Nobody: 10:17am On Jul 16, 2020
atheistandproud:
PIXEL BINNING.
Small pixels inside image sensors do okay in bright daylight especially if the resolution is high enough, but they do poorly in low light or at night. This is because, light is the most important ingredient in a photo so if there’s no light, you’ll get no photos.
A good way to combat this is to make the pixels bigger in size, but then you’ll have to remember that smartphone camera sizes are small. Some companies also like to keep the small pixels as they can fit more onto a slightly larger sensor and they’re good for marketing too. 48MP sounds way cooler than 12MP


So the other way to solve this small pixel problem is to combine several small pixels together to act as one. The most common method in use is joining 4 pixels together to act as one super pixels. This way the small pixels can catch more light and give out better shots but there is a catch. Pixel binning effectively reduces the effective resolution of the camera to ¼ of its original resolution.


In pixel binning, a 64MP camera may actually have 64 million pixels on the image sensor but it will output (64/4=) 16MP photos. A 48MP sensor can be binned to produce 12MP shots. This binning is actually done in the sensor by the companies that produce these cameras and not the phone makers themselves.

Many midrange SoCs cannot handle resolutions over 25MP so the camera sensor bins the image down. This binned images, for example a 12MP binned photo however contains a lot more details than a normal 12MP would because a lot more pixels helped to capture it. The camera sensor then hands over this 12MP binned image to the ISP in RAW format. The ISP then let's the photo software on the OS edit the photo and give out the final image.

Despite being binned, these cameras are still capable of taking higher resolution photos through a manual mode where the user is allowed to tinker with advanced camera settings like shutter speed, ISO, focus etc. The sensor will still give binned photos to the ISP. The ISP will then upscale these photos to a higher resolution, maybe not as much as the 48 or 64MP but it could go pretty high.

This is only an excerpt.

If you want to know how cameras see colour, what filters are, what a quad Bayer sensor is etc.

https://inquisitiveuniverse./2020/07/15/lets-talk-cameras-3/

Help yourself. Knowledge is free.

Image 1 A Bayer filter covering the pixels on a sensor

Image 2 A Quad Bayer sensor showing how four pixels are combined together to produce better image quality but reduces the resolution
A quick question.
(also, a big thank you for putting out great contents like this)
Do flagship/flagship killers bin pixels?
Since they're all shipped out with high-end SOCs.

1 Like

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 10:26am On Jul 16, 2020
judeebuka:

A quick question.
(also, a big thank you for putting out great contents like this)
Do flagship/flagship killers bin pixels?
Since they're all shipped out with high-end SOCs.

Yes they do.

The 108MP on the Mi 10 pro outputs 27MP while the 108MP on the Samsung S20 Ultra outputs even less going all the way down to the 12MP sweet spot.

If the sensor is a binned sensor, then expect binned images.

Snapdragon 865+ should change this game and offer multi-frame image processing at full resolution when developers and OEMs alike learn to take advantage of it tho.

But for now, pixel binning has come to stay.

2 Likes

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by ZesusHVWritter(m): 10:53am On Jul 16, 2020
Well done sir

1 Like

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by Osasnidas(m): 11:03am On Jul 16, 2020
cheesy grin you are doing well....

2 Likes

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 11:08am On Jul 16, 2020
ZesusHVWritter:
Well done sir

I dropped a slightly altered copy at All round review.

Thank you.
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 11:09am On Jul 16, 2020
Osasnidas:
cheesy grin you are doing well....

Yes sir grin
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by Theonejabulani2: 11:35am On Jul 16, 2020
Well done boss

2 Likes

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 11:38am On Jul 16, 2020
Theonejabulani2:
Well done boss

Thank you
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by chariisGRACE(m): 11:51am On Jul 16, 2020
atheistandproud:
PIXEL BINNING.
Small pixels inside image sensors do okay in bright daylight especially if the resolution is high enough, but they do poorly in low light or at night. This is because, light is the most important ingredient in a photo so if there’s no light, you’ll get no photos.
A good way to combat this is to make the pixels bigger in size, but then you’ll have to remember that smartphone camera sizes are small. Some companies also like to keep the small pixels as they can fit more onto a slightly larger sensor and they’re good for marketing too. 48MP sounds way cooler than 12MP


So the other way to solve this small pixel problem is to combine several small pixels together to act as one. The most common method in use is joining 4 pixels together to act as one super pixels. This way the small pixels can catch more light and give out better shots but there is a catch. Pixel binning effectively reduces the effective resolution of the camera to ¼ of its original resolution.


In pixel binning, a 64MP camera may actually have 64 million pixels on the image sensor but it will output (64/4=) 16MP photos. A 48MP sensor can be binned to produce 12MP shots. This binning is actually done in the sensor by the companies that produce these cameras and not the phone makers themselves.

Many midrange SoCs cannot handle resolutions over 25MP so the camera sensor bins the image down. This binned images, for example a 12MP binned photo however contains a lot more details than a normal 12MP would because a lot more pixels helped to capture it. The camera sensor then hands over this 12MP binned image to the ISP in RAW format. The ISP then let's the photo software on the OS edit the photo and give out the final image.

Despite being binned, these cameras are still capable of taking higher resolution photos through a manual mode where the user is allowed to tinker with advanced camera settings like shutter speed, ISO, focus etc. The sensor will still give binned photos to the ISP. The ISP will then upscale these photos to a higher resolution, maybe not as much as the 48 or 64MP but it could go pretty high.

This is only an excerpt.

If you want to know how cameras see colour, what filters are, what a quad Bayer sensor is etc.

https://inquisitiveuniverse./2020/07/15/lets-talk-cameras-3/

Help yourself. Knowledge is free.

Image 1 A Bayer filter covering the pixels on a sensor

Image 2 A Quad Bayer sensor showing how four pixels are combined together to produce better image quality but reduces the resolution

At the bolded, does it mean the chip has a vital role in this?
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 12:06pm On Jul 16, 2020
chariisGRACE:


At the bolded, does it mean the chip has a vital role in this?

No. The sensor does the binning and gives it to the ISP to polish the image and give you that final jpeg product or to try upscale it.

But the binning itself is done entirely by the sensor.
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by Effulgent(m): 3:11pm On Jul 16, 2020
you didn't even mention me
sad
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by skywalker240(m): 4:11pm On Jul 16, 2020
Well done comrade

1 Like

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by KrazyDave16(m): 4:28pm On Jul 16, 2020
"And this ladies and gentlemen, is why binning and demosaicing are completely different terms and shouldn't be thrown together to feel smart."

This should end the arguments concerning lens of a particular brand, if they really use binning tech in all phones or demosaicing (demosaicing in most since some of their sensors got no Quad Bayer filter in them)

Good article btw.

1 Like

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 7:54pm On Jul 16, 2020
Effulgent:
you didn't even mention me

sad

I'm really sorry

cry cry cry
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 7:57pm On Jul 16, 2020
KrazyDave16:
"And this ladies and gentlemen, is why binning and demosaicing are completely different terms and shouldn't be thrown together to feel smart."

This should end the arguments concerning lens of a particular brand, if they really use binning tech in all phones or demosaicing (demosaicing in most since some of their sensors got no Quad Bayer filter in them)

Good article btw.

Lol

Demosaicing (De-Mo-Saic-Kin) is mostly about colour interpolation from the primary RGB to the rest of the Colour spectrum.

Binning na the Pixel combination to increase surface area.

I'm writing about OIS, EIS and Hybrid IS as well as a brief tour on Computational photography. Will post tomorrow.

I don't know if I'll share to NL sha.

After that, na to do hardware comparison. Heavyweight showdowns grin
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 7:59pm On Jul 16, 2020
skywalker240:
Well done comrade

Thank you.
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by Effulgent(m): 8:00pm On Jul 16, 2020
atheistandproud:

I'm really sorry
cry cry cry
Well, thanks for the good works bro

1 Like

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 8:02pm On Jul 16, 2020
Effulgent:


Well, thanks for the good works bro

You're welcome
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by FryMosquito: 8:08pm On Jul 16, 2020
Op understanding of phone technology is a top notch.. So I will advice anybody that want to buy phone to seek advice through this Op, rather than disturbing for advise on particular type of device and price to buy
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 8:14pm On Jul 16, 2020
Rayliousity:
I'm on board.. Op you're doing well

You're welcome
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 8:14pm On Jul 16, 2020
FryMosquito:
Op understanding of phone technology is a top notch.. So I will advice anybody that want to buy phone to seek advice through this Op, rather than disturbing for advise on particular type of device and price to buy

I'm still a learner oh boss
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by KrazyDave16(m): 5:45am On Jul 17, 2020
atheistandproud:


Lol

Demosaicing (De-Mo-Saic-Kin) is mostly about colour interpolation from the primary RGB to the rest of the Colour spectrum.

Binning na the Pixel combination to increase surface area.

I'm writing about OIS, EIS and Hybrid IS as well as a brief tour on Computational photography. Will post tomorrow.

I don't know if I'll share to NL sha.

After that, na to do hardware comparison. Heavyweight showdowns grin

Anyhow, Sha drop the link to the info wink

1 Like

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by ORIJIN201(m): 8:10am On Jul 17, 2020
atheistandproud:


Lol

Demosaicing (De-Mo-Saic-Kin) is mostly about colour interpolation from the primary RGB to the rest of the Colour spectrum.

Binning na the Pixel combination to increase surface area.

I'm writing about OIS, EIS and Hybrid IS as well as a brief tour on Computational photography. Will post tomorrow.

I don't know if I'll share to NL sha.

After that, na to do hardware comparison. Heavyweight showdowns grin
You really didn't contact me after I asked you to in the other thread you created about CPUs. When you have time, kindly do contact me.
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 9:34am On Jul 17, 2020
ORIJIN201:
You really didn't contact me after I asked you to in the other thread you created about CPUs. When you have time, kindly do contact me.

Completely forgot. Sorry.
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by ORIJIN201(m): 4:00pm On Jul 17, 2020
atheistandproud:


Completely forgot. Sorry.
Okay, I'm expecting your message.
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by Abdulquadrimuha(m): 7:27pm On Jul 17, 2020
Thanks good information. I want to ask a question.


Do you think there is a future possibilities where there won't be any thing like photo bining or is here to stay forever?
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 10:09pm On Jul 17, 2020
Abdulquadrimuha:
Thanks good information. I want to ask a question.


Do you think there is a future possibilities where there won't be any thing like photo bining or is here to stay forever?

Binning will stay for a bit more, especially as it would become more accessible to budget and entry level devices.

The flagships and upper midrangers would have moved on to something newer then like multi-frame image processing at full resolution.

1 Like

Re: Pixel Binning Explained by GraGra247(m): 3:15am On Jul 18, 2020
atheistandproud:


Yes they do.

The 108MP on the Mi 10 pro outputs 27MP while the 108MP on the Samsung S20 Ultra outputs even less going all the way down to the 12MP sweet spot.

If the sensor is a binned sensor, then expect binned images.

Snapdragon 865+ should change this game and offer multi-frame image processing at full resolution when developers and OEMs alike learn to take advantage of it tho.

But for now, pixel binning has come to stay.

Do Google Pixel phone cameras use Binning.
Re: Pixel Binning Explained by atheistandproud(m): 10:38am On Jul 18, 2020
GraGra247:


Do Google Pixel phone cameras use Binning.

Nope. They use native 12MP cameras (same as Apple) and rely on Computational photography to do the rest.

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