Multispectral Imaging (MSI): Typically use electronic filters such as a Liquid Crystal Tunable Filter (LCTF), an interferometer, or an Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) to acquire less than 50  non-contiguous  Wavelength Data Points (WDP) sequentially.  The electronic filters precede the front lens of a camera. MSI data is rarely of “spectroscopic” value. Because MSI wavelength data is acquired sequentially, the field of view (FOV) must be rigidly fixed to ensure perfect registration between camera pixels, and objects in the field of view - this is an insurmountable problem in a rapidly evolving environment.  View the animation movie below Hyperspectral Imaging instruments (HSI): Use an imaging spectrometer with either a diffraction grating or prism to acquire many hundreds of WDP simultaneously.  Data is typically of spectroscopic quality.  The technique is often referred to as “Push Broom” Hyperspectral imaging, and was developed to accommodate a fast changing FOV.  1: Approaches to Spectral Imaging Hardware, Lerner JM, Gat N, Wachman E., Current Protocols in Cytometry 12.20.1-12.20.40, July 2010 Multispectral and Hyperspectral Methods Compared      (1)   Copyright © LightForm Inc, 2011 Click to play the filter animation illustrating how LCTF, AOTF and interferometers used in multi- spectral imaging system acquire spectral data. LightForm Inc: PARISS® Analytical Spectral and Hyperspectral Imaging Click to play the prism/diffraction grating animation illustrating how prism and diffraction grating based Hyperspectral Imaging systems acquire spectral data.