Resolution
Overview
Resolution is the level of detail in spatial data, often referring to the size of the pixels in raster data or the density of points in vector data, with higher resolution providing more detailed information. Resolution determines the smallest features that can be distinguished in a dataset.
Key Concepts
Spatial resolution is the ground area represented by each cell or point. Temporal resolution is the frequency of data collection over time. Spectral resolution is the number and width of spectral bands (remote sensing). Radiometric resolution is the range of values a sensor can record (bit depth). Scale is related but distinct from resolution (display vs. data).
Common Resolutions
| Source | Resolution | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Landsat | 30m | Regional land cover |
| Sentinel-2 | 10m | Agriculture, forestry |
| NAIP | 0.6-1m | Parcel-level analysis |
| Commercial satellite | 0.3-0.5m | Urban features |
| LiDAR DEM | 1-3m | Terrain analysis |
Appendix
Created: 2025-12-13 | Modified: 2025-12-13