In digital imaging, which statement best describes a determinant of spatial resolution?

• A. Bit depth affects spatial resolution
• B. Matrix size determines resolution
• C. Pixel size determines resolution
• D. None affects resolution

Answer: (C)

Spatial resolution is about how finely you can resolve details in an image. In a digital image, the scene is sampled into a grid of pixels, so the size of each pixel sets how small a detail can be represented. Smaller pixels mean more samples per unit area, which lets you distinguish features that are closer together and thus increases spatial detail. Bit depth affects how many gray shades you can record, which changes contrast resolution but not sharpness. Matrix size can influence resolution only indirectly by changing pixel size for a fixed field of view, but the direct determinant of how finely details are resolved is the pixel size.