High Res Shot

High Res Shot is a computational photography mode that uses the camera's IBIS mechanism to shift the sensor by precise sub-pixel amounts between successive exposures. Each frame captures the scene at a slightly different position, and the camera — or accompanying software — merges the frames into a single image with higher effective resolution than any individual frame. On the OM System OM-1 Mark II, the in-camera Handheld High Res Shot produces 50MP output from the 20.4MP sensor. With the camera on a tripod and the Tripod High Res Shot mode, output reaches 80MP.

The resolution increase is not simply interpolation. Because each shifted frame samples the scene from a different sub-pixel position, the merged output contains information that no single frame holds. The result is a genuine increase in fine detail, particularly visible in textured surfaces, fabric, foliage, and fine print. The trade-off is that moving subjects — leaves in wind, water, people — create artefacts or ghosting in the merged output, because they occupy different positions in each frame and do not align cleanly in the composite.

Panasonic offers a similar feature called High Resolution Mode on the G9 II and GH series, producing up to 96MP output on the G9 II in tripod mode. The Panasonic implementation requires a tripod; handheld high-res is an OM System-specific capability enabled by their more powerful IBIS actuator system. Both implementations require the subject to be static. Architecture, product photography, landscape without wind, and studio work are the most suitable use cases.

High Res Shot output files are large and require more processing time and storage than standard RAW files. The feature is designed for situations where maximum image quality and detail are the priority over convenience. For fast-moving subjects, available-light shooting, or any situation where the subject or scene is moving, standard shooting modes are more appropriate.