Canon EOS-1D Mark II Review: 23. Compared to...: Digital Photography Review

Resolution Chart Comparison

Shots here are of the PIMA/ISO 12233 standard resolution test chart (more of which are available in our comparison database). This resolution chart allows us to measure the actual performance of the lens and sensor system. It measures the ability of the camera to resolve lines at gradually higher resolutions and enables us to provide a definitive value for comparison purposes. Values on the chart are 1/100^th lines per picture height. So a value of 15 equates to 1500 lines per picture height. For each camera the relevant 50 mm prime lens was used. The chart is shot at a full range of apertures and the sharpest image selected.

Studio light, cameras set to auto, all settings factory default. Aperture selected for optimum sharpness. Exposure compensation +0.7 EV to +1.3 EV.


Canon EOS-1D Mark II (1,935 KB; 8 MP)	Canon EOS-1Ds (2,811 KB; 11 MP)

Canon EOS-10D (1,904 KB; 6 MP)	Olympus C-8080 WZ (3,089 KB; 8 MP)


Canon EOS-1D Mark II	Canon EOS-1Ds

Canon EOS-10D	Olympus C-8080 WZ


Canon EOS-1D Mark II	Canon EOS-1Ds

Canon EOS-10D	Olympus C-8080 WZ


Canon EOS-1D Mark II	Canon EOS-1Ds

Canon EOS-10D	Olympus C-8080 WZ


Canon EOS-1D Mark II	Canon EOS-1Ds

Canon EOS-10D	Olympus C-8080 WZ

Measurable findings (three measurements taken for each camera):

Camera	Measurement	Absolute Res.	Extinction Res.
Canon EOS-1D Mark II	Horiz LPH	1850	+ 2000
	Vert LPH	1650	+ 2000
	5° Diagonal LPH	+ 1000	n/a
Canon EOS-1Ds	Horiz LPH	2400	* 2600
	Vert LPH	2000	* 2600
	5° Diagonal LPH	+ 2000	n/a
Canon EOS 10D	Horiz LPH	1600	1900
	Vert LPH	1450	1850
	5° Diagonal LPH	+ 1000	n/a
Olympus C-8080 WZ	Horiz LPH	1700	+ * 2000
	Vert LPH	1650	* 1950
	5° Diagonal LPH	+ 1000	n/a

* Moiré is visible, + Chart maximum, # Jagged diagonals

Definition of terms:

LPH	Lines per Picture Height (to allow for different aspect ratios the measurement is the same for horizontal and vertical)
5° Diagonal	Lines set at 5° diagonal
Absolute Resolution	Still defined detail (below Nyquist frequency*)
Extinction Resolution	Detail beyond camera's definition (becomes a solid gray alias)
n/a	Not Available (above the capability of the test chart)
n/v	Not Visible (not visible on test results)

* Nyquist frequency defined as the highest spatial frequency where the sensor can
still faithfully record image detail. Beyond the Nyquist frequency aliasing occurs.

As expected the 1D Mark II's resolution sits comfortably somewhere between the six megapixel EOS 10D and the eleven megapixel EOS-1Ds. It's also interesting to see the difference between the resolution delivered by the 'prosumer' Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom and the Mark II.

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