I have the second canister... which is the one for between 500-2500 downloads.  Doesn't that mean that i should be getting $.25 for the smallest image and not $.20???
Here is the link that made me wonder. Look at the chart on the right.
http://www.istockphoto.com/projected_earnings.php

I can't follow the link, but I think it takes you to the earnings estimator which lets you estimate your earnings if you go exclusive with iStock.  So, unless you are exclusive, the canisters don't increase what they pay you.  Hope this helps.

Allright, I understand.

One ridiculous thing with the estimator though, is one is NEVER going to keep increasing earnings by 5% every month.  After a year or so, it would be impossible to increase at the same rate.  5% of 100 images (what you have at the start of a year) is a lot less than 5% fo 1000 images. (what you might have at the end of the year)