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Camera diffraction
Compare the ideal Airy disk diameter with the sensor pixel pitch for a chosen aperture and wavelength.
Aperture (f-number): 0.7–64; Wavelength (nm): 380–780; Sensor pixel pitch (µm): 0.5–50
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Camera diffraction
Aperture (f-number): 8 Wavelength (nm): 550 Sensor pixel pitch (µm): 4
- Airy disk diameter (µm)
- 10.736000
- Diameter across pixels
- 2.684000
Airy diameter d = 2.44 × wavelength × f-number, measured between the first dark rings for an ideal circular aperture. Convert nm to µm by dividing by 1000; diameter across pixels = d / pixel pitch. Enter f/0.7–f/64, wavelength 380–780 nm and pixel pitch 0.5–50 µm; fractions are supported. Use the effective f-number at high magnification. This monochromatic diffraction estimate excludes aberrations, defocus, motion, demosaicing, sharpening and display scaling. The pixel ratio is a geometric comparison, not an image-quality score, MTF, hard resolution cutoff or recommended aperture; depth of field and actual lens performance still matter. Six decimals without intermediate rounding.
Methodology
How it works
Airy diameter d = 2.44 × wavelength × f-number, measured between the first dark rings for an ideal circular aperture. Convert nm to µm by dividing by 1000; diameter across pixels = d / pixel pitch. Enter f/0.7–f/64, wavelength 380–780 nm and pixel pitch 0.5–50 µm; fractions are supported. Use the effective f-number at high magnification. This monochromatic diffraction estimate excludes aberrations, defocus, motion, demosaicing, sharpening and display scaling. The pixel ratio is a geometric comparison, not an image-quality score, MTF, hard resolution cutoff or recommended aperture; depth of field and actual lens performance still matter. Six decimals without intermediate rounding.
Method and assumptions documented by Techrider.live
2026-11-03
Frequently asked questions
Does a disk wider than one pixel make an image unusable?
No. Image contrast changes gradually and depends on the whole imaging system and viewing conditions. Compare apertures in real footage rather than treating the ratio as a pass/fail limit.