Spatial resolution is defined as the area of ground represented by one pixel on the computer screen, or by one halide grain on the film. Pixel size is controlled by the optical characteristics of the sensor. The grain size is dependent on the film speed, and the slower the film, the better the resolution. Also, black & white film tends to have better resolution than color film.

Spatial resolution of the image is very important when choosing the best source for a given application. High resolution imagery will generally be more expensive than low resolution imagery, but it will also allow you to see much more detail in the landscape. Below are examples of different resolution images when the viewer was zoomed in to 10 pixels.

10 meter resolution	30 meter resolution	80 meter resolution

As can be seen, the better spatial resolution image allows more detail to be seen. With some of the new technology (Ikonos) it is possible to achieve up to 1 meter resolution data, which would allow you to see individual shrubs with minimal blurring.

Source:

Avery, T.E. and G.L. Berlin. 1992. Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and Airphoto Interpretation. 5^th ed. Upper Saddle River, Prentice-Hall, Inc.