Dynamic range

Dynamic range is the ratio between the largest and smallest signal levels a system can represent or measure. It describes the span between a system’s upper limit and its noise floor or minimum distinguishable level.

Signal-to-noise ratio: The ratio of a signal’s power to the power of background noise, commonly expressed in decibels. Noise sets the lowest signal level that can be distinguished in many systems.
Audio dynamic range: The span between the quietest usable sound and the loudest undistorted sound in an audio system or recording. Audio systems compare their noise floor with the maximum clean signal level.
Exposure latitude: The range of exposure errors a photographic medium or sensor can tolerate while producing acceptable images. Latitude concerns acceptable exposure variation, not simply the ratio of maximum to minimum representable brightness.
Exposure bracketing: A photographic technique that captures multiple images at different exposure settings of the same scene. Bracketing combines exposures when a scene exceeds the camera’s single-shot range.
Clipping: Distortion caused when a signal exceeds a system’s representable amplitude limits. Clipping marks the upper boundary of a system’s usable signal range.
Camera dynamic range: The span of scene brightness a camera sensor can record while retaining usable detail. Sensor noise and saturation determine which shadows and highlights remain recoverable.
Contrast ratio: The ratio between the brightest and darkest values in an image, display, or measurement. It is often used for the same kind of endpoint comparison, but may describe a scene or device under different conditions.
Tone mapping: The conversion of image luminance values to fit the range of a target display or medium. Tone mapping compresses captured brightness differences when the output cannot reproduce them all.
Quantization: The mapping of continuous values to a finite set of discrete levels. Finite quantization steps can constrain the smallest distinguishable signal differences.
High-dynamic-range imaging: Imaging methods that capture or display a wider span of luminance than conventional techniques. HDR techniques address scenes whose brightness span exceeds a single conventional exposure or display.

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