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

Beyond our chart, but not beyond our means

The standard PIMA/ISO resolution chart is capable of measuring the resolution of standard Bayer sensor digital cameras up to approximately ten megapixels, beyond that we must be a little more creative. To compare the resolution of the D2X and EOS-1Ds Mark II we shoot the resolution chart from twice the normal distance and end up with a chart exactly half it's normal size. This allows us to measure resolution up to 4000 LPH. When reading the crops below values on the chart now represent 1/200 lines per picture height. So a value of 15 equates to 3000 lines per picture height. It's worth noting that the EOS-1Ds Mark II resolution chart was shot with a sharpening setting of 0 (default).

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II (2496 x 1664 cropped, 951 KB)	Nikon D2X (2144 x 1424 cropped, 662 KB)

Crops from half-size chart (double distance)

Important: the crops below are taken from a standard resolution chart shot from twice the standard distance, hence measured resolution is double that indicated (10= 2000 LPH).

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II	Nikon D2X	Kodak DSC Pro SLR/c

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
Nikon D2X
Kodak DSC Pro SLR/c

Measurable findings (three measurements taken for each camera):

As we had expected the EOS-1Ds Mark II delivered the highest resolution we've measured on our charts to date. It delivers 50% more horizontal resolution than the EOS 20D and 16% more horizontal resolution than the Nikon D2X. These values are almost exactly the same as the difference in pixel count.