Resolution Chart Comparison
Comparison cameras:
- Pentax Optio A10 (8MP, 3x zoom)
- Casio EX-Z850 (8MP, 3x zoom)
- Canon PowerShot S80 (8MP, 3.6x zoom)
- Nikon Coolpix P3 (8MP, 3.5x zoom)
- Panasonic DMC-LX1 (8MP, 4x zoom)
- Olympus Stylus 800 / Mju 800 Digital (8 MP, 3x 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 +0.3 EV to +1.3 EV.
Resolution chart crops
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|
| Pentax Optio A10 |
Canon PowerShot S80 |
|
 |
| Panasonic DMC-LX1 |
Casio EX-Z850 |
|
|
| Olympus Stylus 800 |
Nikon Coolpix P3 |
 |
 |
 |
| Pentax Optio A10 |
Canon PowerShot S80 |
 |
 |
| Panasonic DMC-LX1 |
Casio EX-Z850 |
|
 |
| Olympus Stylus 800 |
Nikon Coolpix P3 |
Measurable findings
| Camera |
Measurement |
Absolute
resolution |
Extinction
resolution |
| Pentax Optio A10 |
Horiz LPH |
1700 |
2300 |
| Vert LPH |
1700 |
2350 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+1000 # |
n/a |
| Canon PowerShot S80 |
Horiz LPH |
1700 |
2000 |
| Vert LPH |
1700 |
* 2200 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+1000 |
n/a |
| Casio EX-Z850 |
Horiz LPH |
1600 |
1900 |
| Vert LPH |
1550 |
1950 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+1000 |
n/a |
| Panasonic DMC-LX1 |
Horiz LPH |
1500 |
*1900 |
| Vert LPH |
1600 |
*1950 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+ 1000 |
n/a |
| Olympus Stylus 800 |
Horiz LPH |
1750 |
+ * 2000 |
| Vert LPH |
* 1700 |
+ * 2000 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+ 1000 |
n/a |
| Nikon Coolpix P3 |
Horizontal LPH |
1550 |
* 2250 |
| Vertical LPH |
1500 |
* 2050 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+ 1000 |
n/a |
| * |
Moiré is visible |
| # |
Jagged diagonals |
| + |
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 Optio A10 is well up towards the top of the 8MP compact class in terms of absolute resolution, with a very clean tail off as you approach extinction. The results bear out what we saw in our real life photographs; lots of clean detail and a fairly subtle approach to image processing. All in all very impressive.
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