
Pixel Binning Math: Why a 200MP Sensor Shoots 12MP
A 200MP phone sensor outputs 12MP by default because it bins sixteen 0.6μm pixels into one. Effective pitch becomes 2.4μm and area per pixel grows 16x, but total light on the sensor never changes.

A 200MP phone sensor outputs 12MP by default because it bins sixteen 0.6μm pixels into one. Effective pitch becomes 2.4μm and area per pixel grows 16x, but total light on the sensor never changes.

A 1-inch sensor measures 16mm diagonally, not 25.4mm. Converted to area, 1/1.3" and 1/1.4" differ by 16%, and 1/2.55" is three times smaller.