Photoshop Image mode and bit depth?

Question

When I edit my pictures I always work in 16 bit mode because I know I have more color space where I can move so I can avoid issues like banding. At the same time I realised that there's an advanced option to enable 30 bit display (so 10 bit per channel) for OS + monitors that support it. Even considering monitors that have 8 bit per channel, I don't get how's possible to work in 16 bit mode. I miss the link between these two things. Extra question: When I see there are monitors like Eizo that have 16 bit depth, how do they work if the operating Photoshop doesn't support it?

Answer 1

Greetings!

A "bit" is a computer term for data storage. It can only contain two values, typically 0 or 1. 8-bit simply means the data chunk is 8 bits in total.

As for monitors and displays using graphic programs like Photoshop, an example of the differences between bit depth are gradients. Gradients in 8 bit depth are going to be choppier or less smooth than in a 16 or 32 bit depth display.

In your case:

Most computer displays are only 8 bit. Assuming yours is, your display will only display up to 8 bits even though you're working in 16 bits in Photoshop or other programs.

Extra Question:

how do monitors like Eizo that have 16 bit depth work if the operating Photoshop doesn't support it?

Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 currently supports up to 32 Bits per channel.