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 1/100th 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.

Olympus E-300 (4,560 KB; 8 MP) Canon EOS 20D (2,537 KB; 8 MP)
Canon EOS 300D (2,241 KB; 6 MP) Olympus C-8080 WZ (3,089 KB; 8 MP)

Olympus E-300 Canon EOS 20D
Canon EOS 300D Olympus C-8080 WZ

Olympus E-300 Canon EOS 20D
Canon EOS 300D Olympus C-8080 WZ

Olympus E-300 Canon EOS 20D
Canon EOS 300D Olympus C-8080 WZ

Olympus E-300 Canon EOS 20D
Canon EOS 300D Olympus C-8080 WZ

Measurable findings (three measurements taken for each camera):

Camera Measurement
Absolute
resolution
Extinction
resolution
Olympus E-300 Horiz LPH * 1800  * 1950 
Vert LPH * 1650  * 1950 
Canon EOS 20D Horiz LPH 1850  + 2000 
Vert LPH 1650  + 2000 
Canon EOS 300D Horiz LPH 1600  1900 
Vert LPH 1450  1850 
Olympus C-8080 WZ Horiz LPH 1750  * 2000 
Vert LPH 1650  * 1950 

* Moire is visible
+ Chart maximum
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 res.

Point at which all lines of a resolution bar are still visible and defined, beyond this resolution loss of detail occurs (below Nyquist frequency).
Extinction res. Detail beyond camera's definition (becomes aliased)
n/a Not Available (above the capability of the test chart)
n/v Not Visible (not visible on test results)

The E-300 produced just slightly less resolution than the EOS 20D, although it appears mostly to do with image processing and perhaps the strength of the low-pass-filter used, the E-300 gets softer towards extinction quicker than the EOS 20D. The other main difference between the two was that the E-300 exhibits noticeable moire along the resolution bars from around the 1500 LPH mark. We know from our RAW software test that this is a result of the camera's image processing.

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