The development of advanced photovoltaic devices, including those that might overcome the single junction efficiency limit, as well as the development of new materials, all rely on advanced characterization methods. Among all the existing methods, optically based ones are very well adapted to probe quantitatively optoelectronic properties at any stage. We here present the use of multidimensional imaging techniques that record spatially, spectrally and time resolved luminescence images. We will discuss the benefits (and challenges) of looking into direct photon energy conversion systems through some examples, mostly drawn from halide perovskite materials and device. These examples will help visit questions related to efficient transport and conversion in solar cells, as well as questions related to chemical and operational stability of the devices.