A metal halide lamp includes a pair of electrodes with a spacing of 0.5 to 1.5 mm therebetween, an envelope enclosing the pair of electrodes, and at least one metal halide, other than a mercury halide, that is encapsulated in the envelope in an amount of from 0.04 to 0.3 mg/cc, wherein the metal halide lamp operates in a power range from 75 to 270 watts per millimeter across the spacing between the pair of electrodes.