What components of the sensor capture light in individual units?

Pixels are the components of a sensor that capture light in individual units. Each pixel corresponds to a specific area of the image sensor and is made up of a photodiode, which converts incoming light into an electrical signal. The term "pixel" is a contraction of "picture element," and it describes the smallest controllable element in a digital image.

When an image is captured, each pixel records the amount of light hitting it during exposure, allowing for the creation of detailed images. The more pixels an image sensor has, the greater its resolution, enabling the capture of finer details and clearer images. Thus, pixels represent the discrete units of measurement within the image sensor, serving as the fundamental building blocks of digital photography.

Photodiodes, while integral to pixel functionality, do not independently represent the discrete elements capturing light but rather work within each pixel. Transistors and filaments do not contribute directly to the light-capturing process in image sensors.