A method for registration of partially-overlapped images, comprises (a) performing noise reduction and feature extraction in a reference image and an unregistered image; (b) determining a template size using a phase transition methodology for a sufficiently-sampled finite data set; (c) identifying a template region in the reference image; (d) performing a wide angle estimation of the reference image and the unregistered image; (e) performing orientation and translation of the reference image and the unregistered image; (f) performing a search space reduction of the reference image and the unregistered image; (g) performing a coarse angle estimation of the reference image and the unregistered image; (h) performing orientation of the reference image and the unregistered image of the coarse angle estimation; and (i) performing a fine angle estimation and registration of the reference image and the unregistered image.