High resolution imagers are, in general, panchromatic (a single waveband) and multi-spectral (multiple waveband) sensors, with spectral bands in the visible and IR range which are simultaneously recorded. This increases the information content that may be derived from the imagery (including the ability for land cover classification) and allows corrections to be made, for example, for the effects of atmospheric water vapour on the measured surface parameters. In order to reduce atmospheric absorption and to increase image quality, the operating wavelengths of these instruments are selected to coincide with atmospheric windows.

Use of these sensors can be limited by weather conditions, since they are unable to penetrate thick cloud, rain or fog and are typically restricted to fair weather, daytime-only operation. Some have pointing capability which enables imagery of specified areas to be acquired more frequently. Many countries, including developing countries, have and/or are planning high resolution optical imaging missions. Future trends will include a greater number of sampling channels, as well as improved spectral and spatial resolution. More instruments will also become available that are capable of producing stereo images from data collected on a single orbit, i.e. along track, as opposed to across track, so that stereo images can be acquired from different passes.