An Equivalent F-Number for Light Field Systems: Light Efficiency, Signal-to-Noise Ratio, and Depth of Field

The paper discusses the light efficiency and SNR of light field imaging systems in comparison to classical 2D imaging. In order to achieve this goal, I define the "equivalent f-number" as a concept of capturing the light gathering ability of the light field system. Since the f-number, in classical imaging systems, is conceptually also linked with the depth-of-field, I discuss an appropriate depth-of-field interpretation for light field systems.