Dynamic range

Dynamic Range: The total span between the deepest shadows and the brightest highlights that a camera sensor can successfully record in a single exposure before the details clip into pure black or pure white. Measured in stops (where each stop represents a doubling or halving of light), dynamic range defines your camera’s ability to handle high-contrast media. For example, slide film and thick glass plates often contain massive contrast ranges; a camera with a wide dynamic range can clean up both dense shadow details and bright highlight textures without requiring multiple exposures.