Pixel shift

This very fine level of resolution was derived by merging four precursor images taken at sensor positions just one pixel apart.
Comparison of simple image (left) and image generated with pixel shift (right) (Click to enlarge)

In digital photography, pixel shift is a method to create a super-resolution image using a digital camera. The method works by taking several images, after each such capture moving ("shifting") the sensor to a new position. In digital colour cameras that employ pixel shift, this avoids a major limitation inherent in using Bayer pattern for obtaining colour, and instead produces an image with increased colour resolution and, assuming a static subject or additional computational steps, an image free of colour moiré. Taking this idea further, sub-pixel shifting may increase the resolution of the final image beyond that suggested by the specified resolution of the image sensor.

Additionally, assuming that the various individual captures are taken at the same sensitivity, the final combined image will have less image noise than a single capture. This can be thought of as an averaging effect (for instance, in a pixel shift image composed of four individual frames with a classic Bayer pattern, every pixel in the final colour image is based on two measurements of the green channel).

List of cameras implementing pixel shift

All of the following cameras are fabricated with one imaging sensor, thus any kind of pixel shift requires a movement of the whole sensor.

Canon

Fujifilm

Nikon

Olympus

OM System

  • OM System OM-1: contains a 20MPix sensor. The High Res Shot mode takes multiple images, and it can be used handheld or on a tripod. Handheld it will internally produce 50 Mpix files and 80 Mpix when mounted on a tripod.
  • OM System OM-5: contains a 20MPix sensor. The High Res Shot mode takes multiple images, and it can be used handheld or on a tripod. Handheld it will internally produce 50 Mpix files and 80 Mpix when mounted on a tripod.

Panasonic

Pentax

Sony

Hasselblad

JVC

See also

References

  1. ↑ Davies, Amy (15 May 2023). "How to get the best out of Panning Assist and IBIS High Resolution mode". Canon UK. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  2. ↑ "The Fujifilm GFX 50S II is the least expensive medium-format digital camera ever, refer to chapter '"Pixel Shift Multi-Shot" function to capture and generate 200MP images free of false color'". Digital Photography Review. 2021-09-02. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  3. ↑ "Fujifilm GFX 100 II initial review: medium format movie maker: Digital Photography Review". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on 2023-09-12. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  4. ↑ "The Buyers guide to ... Which cameras have pixel shift?, refer to chapter 'Fujifilm GFX 100'". CameraJabber.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  5. ↑ "Fujifilm creates GFX 100S II, $5000 compact medium format camera". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  6. ↑ "The Buyers guide to ... Which cameras have pixel shift?, refer to chapter 'Fujifilm GFX 100S'". CameraJabber.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  7. ↑ "Fujifilm Introduces GFX 100 IR for 100MP infrared imaging, refer to chapter 'Press release'". Digital Photography Review. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  8. ↑ "Fujifilm X-H2 initial review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
  9. ↑ "Fujifilm X-T5 initial review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  10. ↑ "The Buyers guide to ... Which cameras have pixel shift?, refer to chapter 'Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II'". CameraJabber.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  11. ↑ "Olympus announces OM-D E-M5 II with 40MP high resolution mode". Digital Photography Review. 2015-02-05. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  12. ↑ "The Buyers guide to ... Which cameras have pixel shift?, refer to chapter 'Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III'". CameraJabber.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  13. ↑ "Olympus OM-D E-M1X Review, refer to chapter 'High Res Shot Mode'". CameraJabber.com. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  14. ↑ "History Repeating: Olympus PEN-F Review, refer to chapter 'High Res Shot mode'". Digital Photography Review. 2016-02-24. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  15. ↑ "Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 first impressions". Digital Photography Review. 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  16. ↑ "The Buyers guide to ... Which cameras have pixel shift?, refer to chapter 'Panasonic Lumix DC-G9'". CameraJabber.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  17. ↑ "The Buyers guide to ... Which cameras have pixel shift?, refer to chapter 'Panasonic Lumix DC-S1'". CameraJabber.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  18. ↑ "The Buyers guide to ... Which cameras have pixel shift?, refer to chapter 'Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R'". CameraJabber.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  19. ↑ "Ricoh introduces weather-resistant Pentax K-70 with Hybrid AF and Pixel Shift, refer to chapter '5. PENTAX-original shake-reduction system featuring the Pixel Shift Resolution System'". Digital Photography Review. 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  20. ↑ "Pentax KP: price, specs, release date confirmed, refer to chapter 'Pentax KP Pixel Shift Resolution System'". CameraJabber.com. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  21. ↑ "PENTAX K-3 II - The new flagship model of the PENTAX K-series digital SLR cameras, refer to chapter '2. New-generation PENTAX-original shake reduction mechanism'". Pentax. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  22. ↑ "Pentax K-3 II Review - Pixel Shift Resolution mode". Imaging-Resource.com. Retrieved 2019-07-28.
  23. ↑ "Pentax K-3 Mark III initial review, refer to chapter 'Key specifications'". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  24. ↑ "Pentax K-1 Review - Image Quality, refer to chapter 'Pixel Shift'". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  25. ↑ "The Buyers guide to ... Which cameras have pixel shift?, refer to chapter 'Pentax K-1 II'". CameraJabber.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  26. ↑ "Canon EOS R6: more than a mirrorless 6D, more interesting than EOS R5, refer to chapter '5. PENTAX-original shake-reduction system featuring the Pixel Shift Resolution System'". Digital Photography Review. 2020-07-24. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  27. ↑ "Pixel-Shift-Multi-Aufnahme | SONY".
  28. ↑ "The Buyers guide to ... Which cameras have pixel shift?, refer to chapter 'Sony α7R III'". CameraJabber.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  29. ↑ "Pixel-Shift-Multi-Aufnahme | SONY".
  30. ↑ "The Buyers guide to ... Which cameras have pixel shift?, refer to chapter 'Sony α7R IV'". CameraJabber.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  31. ↑ "Pixel-Shift-Multi-Aufnahme | SONY".
  32. ↑ "The Buyers guide to ... Which cameras have pixel shift?, refer to chapter 'Sony α1". CameraJabber.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  33. ↑ "Hasselblad creates 50MP multi-shot full-color camera". Digital Photography Review. 2009-11-19. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  34. ↑ "Hasselblad H4D-200MS offers 200 megapixel multi-shot images". Digital Photography Review. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  35. ↑ "Hasselblad unveils pixel-shifting 200MP H5D-200c MS". Digital Photography Review. 2014-08-22. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  36. ↑ "H6D-400C MULTI-SHOT". Hasselblad. 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  37. ↑ "JVC GZ-HD3 HD Camcorder flyer" (PDF). JvcKenwood.com.
  38. ↑ "JVC GZ-HD7 Press Release" (PDF). JvcKenwood.com.

Further reading