Canon EOS-D60 Review: 22. 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 8 equates to 800 lines per picture height.

Studio light, cameras set to auto, all settings factory default. Aperture selected for optimum sharpness. Exposure compensation +0.7 EV or +1.0 EV.


Canon EOS-D60	Nikon D1x

Canon EOS-1D	Canon EOS-D30


Canon EOS-D60	Nikon D1x

Canon EOS-1D	Canon EOS-D30


Canon EOS-D60	Nikon D1x

Canon EOS-1D	Canon EOS-D30


Canon EOS-D60	Nikon D1x

Canon EOS-1D	Canon EOS-D30


Canon EOS-D60	Nikon D1x

Canon EOS-1D	Canon EOS-D30

Measurable findings (three measurements taken for each camera):

Camera	Measurement	Absolute Res.	Extinction Res.
Canon EOS-D60	Horiz LPH	1600	* 1800
	Vert LPH	1400	1800
	5° Diagonal LPH	1000	n/a
Nikon D1x	Horiz LPH	1600	>2000
	Vert LPH	* 1150	1250
	5° Diagonal LPH	900	n/a
Canon EOS-1D	Horiz LPH	1400	* 1700
	Vert LPH	1200	* 1700
	5° Diagonal LPH	n/a	n/a
Canon EOS-D30	Horiz LPH	1100	1350
	Vert LPH	1150	1300
	5° Diagonal LPH	1000	n/a

* Visible moiré artifacts

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 CCD can still faithfully record
image detail. Beyond the Nyquist frequency aliasing occurs

As we derived from our comparison tests the D60 makes full use of its six megapixel potential, delivering excellent horizontal and vertical resolution. The D1x is capable of the same horizontal resolution and produces visible detail well beyond 2000 lines/picture height, however its lower vertical resolution lets it down.

Resolution at other image sizes

The crops (and downloadable samples) below are provided to give an impression of visible resolution at the other selectable image sizes.


Large (3072 x 2048)	Medium (2048 x 1360)	Small (1536 x 1024)

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