Bit depth is defined as what?

Bit depth refers to the number of distinct brightness levels that a digital imaging system can produce and represent for each pixel in an image. A higher bit depth allows for a greater range of brightness values, which translates to a smoother transition between different shades and improved image quality. For example, an 8-bit image can represent 256 different brightness levels (from 0 to 255), while a 16-bit image can represent 65,536 levels. This increased range can be particularly important in medical imaging, where subtle differences in tissue contrast are critical for accurate diagnosis and evaluation. Therefore, the definition of bit depth emphasizes its significance in determining the fidelity and richness of detail captured in digital radiography.