what size does a image need to be for

What is the optimal image size for import into MATLAB

[Jan]

The term "optimal" requires to define a criterion: In which unit do you measure how "good" an image is for importing? Does the resolution matter, the density of information, the time for importing or if the image fits onto the screen? Currently your answer is too vague to be answered seriously.

Answer 1

[John D'Errico]

The optimal image size? Simple:

1 pixel.

So a square image of size 1x1. Fast. Efficient as hell. Only requires ONE color. Of course, you may have some different criteria for optimality, but they are hidden deeply in your mind, and mind reading is in a toolbox that has not yet been released for MATLAB.

Sigh. Be serious. There is NO optimal image size, nor can there be. The optimal size would depend on how much memory you have. What disk access you have for reading. How much resolution YOU need, things that only YOU can answer. It depends on your monitor, since trying to display a huge image is a waste of time anyway if you have a tiny monitor. It will depends on what tools you have to work with. What toolboxes, and what knowledge you have. Someone with more skill in image processing and MATLAB in general will probably be able to deal with somewhat larger images. It would depend on what computer/CPU you are using. It will depend on exactly what you intend to do with the image, how you will apply image processing techniques to it.

Essentially, the optimal image size is the largest one that you can do everything you need to do on, and do in a reasonable time.

But for me, the optimal image size is still 1 pixel. A wee bit boring as to content. But things fly like a bat out of a hot place when you work on images of that size.