An Evaluation of Image Quality Metrics

Paper presented at the Royal Photographic Society Symposium, “Photographic Image Quality”, University of Westminster, London, September 1994.

Abstract

Many metrics have been proposed, over a period of thirty years, zvhich are able to predict image quality in the form of single numbers. These metrics reduce a number of physical measurements to single values for predictions of perceptions of the quality of many different types of images from statistical evaluations by panels of observers. One problem concerned with the determination of any metric is which eye modulation transfer function (contrast sensitivity function, CSF) to use. It is only since 1992 that a physical model for determining the CSF of the eye has been provided which enables a standard CSF to be calculated for varying viewing conditions. This paper reviews image quality metrics for sharpness and noise both independently and in combination.

Notes

Paper presented at the Royal Photographic Society Symposium, “Photographic Image Quality”, University of Westminster, London, September 1994.