Supervised vs. unsupervised classification β€” key differences?

essential classification

Two camps of pixel classification:

  • πŸ‘¨β€πŸ« Supervised β€” needs a teacher
    • Algorithm: Maximum Likelihood (most common)
    • A priori knowledge: required β€” you give it training samples
    • Control: user-driven β€” you set the class scheme
    • Strength: more accurate when training is good
  • πŸ€– Unsupervised β€” clusters on its own
    • Algorithm: ISODATA (or K-means)
    • A priori knowledge: not required β€” no training
    • Control: computer-automated β€” it finds the groupings
    • Strength: reveals natural groupings, fast first pass

After unsupervised you still label the clusters by hand β€” that’s where Recode comes in.

πŸ’‘

Supervised needs a TEACHER (training samples). Unsupervised is CLUSTERING β€” the computer invents the classes, you label afterward.