Fast Color Quantization Algorithm Integrated with Gamma Correction

The ultimate goal of color image quantization is to minimize visible distortion. While the application of it as a frame buffer technique requires high efficiency of algorithm, a significantly faster quantization strategy than previous methods: median cut, variance, or octree-based algorithms, etc., is suggested. The new algorithm is integrated with Gamma correction to partially compensate for perceptually uniform nature in RGB, its output result is approximately as accurate as previous methods. Overall, the new proposed method is a preferable tradeoff between the quantizer complexity and visible distortion in the quantized image.