Resolution Chart Comparison
Comparison cameras:
- Panasonic DMC-FZ50 (10 MP, 12 x zoom)
- Fujifilm FinePix S9500 / S9000 (9MP, 10.7x zoom)
- Sony DSC-H5 (7 MP, 12x zoom)
- Canon PowerShot S3 IS (6 MP, 12x zoom)
- Panasonic DMC-FZ30 (8MP, 12x zoom)
- Samsung DigiMax PRO 815 (8 MP, 15x zoom)
Shots here are of our standard resolution chart (version one or two). This 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. (Note that on version two of our chart the vertical resolution 1000 - 2000 lines have been horizontally flipped but are otherwise identical). For each camera the relevant 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, settings all factory default. If possible aperture was selected for optimum sharpness. Exposure compensation +0.7 EV to +1.3 EV.
Resolution Chart Crops
|
|
| Panasonic DMC-FZ50 |
Canon S3 IS |
 |
|
| Fujifilm FinePix S9000 |
Sony DSC-H5 |
 |
 |
| Panasonic DMC-FZ30 |
Samsung PRO 815 |
 |
 |
 |
| Panasonic DMC-FZ50 |
Canon S3 IS |
 |
|
| Fujifilm FinePix S9000 |
Sony DSC-H5 |
 |
 |
| Panasonic DMC-FZ30 |
Samsung PRO 815 |
Measurable findings
| Camera |
Measurement |
Absolute
resolution |
Extinction
resolution |
| Panasonic DMC-FZ50 |
Horizontal LPH |
1850 |
2400 |
| Vertical LPH |
1800 |
2300 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+1000 |
n/a |
| Sony DSC-H5 |
Horizontal LPH |
1525 |
2000 |
| Vertical LPH |
1550 |
*2000 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+1000 |
n/a |
| Canon PowerShot S3 IS |
Horizontal LPH |
1400 |
*1700 |
| Vertical LPH |
1450 |
*1850 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+1000 ‡ |
n/a |
| Panasonic DMC-FZ30 |
Horiz LPH |
*1750 |
+2000 |
| Vert LPH |
*1800 |
+2000 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+ 1000 |
n/a |
| Fujifilm FinePix S9000 |
Horiz LPH |
1900 |
2500 |
| Vert LPH |
1850 |
2400 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+1000 |
n/a |
| Samsung DigiMax PRO 815 |
Horiz LPH |
1550 |
* 2100 |
| Vert LPH |
1550 |
*2200 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+1000 |
n/a |
| * |
Moiré is visible |
| + |
Chart maximum |
| ‡ |
Jagged diagonals |
| 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) |
Perhaps unsurprisingly a few hundred pixels along each side hasn't had a significant impact on the resolution; in fact if you shoot JPEGs there's very little difference at all. But then again, the FZ30 was one of the best performers in its class (with only the Fujifilm S9000 coming out higher; Super CCD cameras always do well in high contrast resolution tests), and the FZ50 is within a whisker of best in class. They're pretty clean too (though you will get moiré - and more resolution - if you shoot raw). Incidentally we found that resolution drops fairly quickly once you get beyond about F5.0, so if you want the best possible detail try to avoid stopping down too far. |
