A Single Heisenberg-Gabor Based Figure-of-Merit Based on the Modulation Transfer Function of Digital Imaging Systems

We propose a single figure-of-merit measure of resolution of a digital imaging system based on the work of Gabor in communication theory. Gabor\´s work was largely inspired by Heisenberg\´s developments in quantum theory, most notably his uncertainty theorem of quantum mechanics. Gabor\´s results look simultaneously at the frequency and spatial domain of a signal, making it ideal for the measure of the modulation transfer function and point-spread function of an imaging system. As opposed to the crude "megapixel" measure which is bantered about in the marketplace, we suggest a figure-of-merit which more accurately represents the resolution of the system. Given that the resolution measure we propose is condensed into a single number rather than a function such as the modulation transfer function or the point spread function, it is our intent to propose this scientific evaluation as a means for typical consumers to fairly judge the resolution of a camera. Finally, we use this measure to compare common digital SLR cameras with varying lenses