Pentax *ist D Review: 17. 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 15 equates to 1500 lines per picture height. Lenses used: Pentax FA 50 mm F1.4, Canon EF 50 mm F1.4, Nikkor 50 mm F1.4 (stopped down to F8 or F9).

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


*Pentax ist D**	Canon EOS-10D

Nikon D100	Fujifilm S2 Pro (6 mp size)


*Pentax ist D**	Canon EOS-10D

Nikon D100	Fujifilm S2 Pro (6 mp size)


*Pentax ist D**	Canon EOS-10D

Nikon D100	Fujifilm S2 Pro (6 mp size)


*Pentax ist D**	Canon EOS-10D

Nikon D100	Fujifilm S2 Pro (6 mp size)


*Pentax ist D**	Canon EOS-10D

Nikon D100	Fujifilm S2 Pro (6 mp size)

Measurable findings (three measurements taken for each camera):

Camera	Measurement	Absolute Res.	Extinction Res.
Pentax *ist D	Horiz LPH	1500	* 1800
	Vert LPH	1300	* 1700
	5° Diagonal LPH	1000	n/a
Canon EOS-10D	Horiz LPH	1600	1900
	Vert LPH	1450	1850
	5° Diagonal LPH	1000	n/a
Nikon D100	Horiz LPH	1600	* 1850
	Vert LPH	1300	* 1700
	5° Diagonal LPH	1000	n/a
Fujifilm S2 Pro (6.1 mp)	Horiz LPH	1650	1900
	Vert LPH	1400	1850
	5° Diagonal LPH	1000	n/a

* Visible moiré pattern

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

As expected the *ist D couldn't match the Canon EOS 10D or Fujifilm S2 Pro for out-and-out resolution performance, and it does appear to slip slightly compared to the Nikon D100. That said it's still not that far off the mark and does seem to have one of the cleanest (least artifacts, least visible sharpening) looking resolution charts of this comparison.

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