Resolution Chart Comparison
Comparison cameras:
- Samsung Digimax V700 (7.1 MP, 3x zoom)
- Canon PowerShot SD500 (7 MP, 3x zoom)
- Canon PowerShot S70 (7 MP, 3.6x zoom)
- Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P150 (7 MP, 3x zoom)
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. Thus a value of 15 equates to 1500 lines per picture height.
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
|
|
| Samsung V700 |
Nikon Coolpix 7900 |
|
|
| Canon PowerShot SD500 |
Sony DSC-P150 |
 |
 |
 |
| Samsung V700 |
Nikon Coolpix 7900 |
 |
 |
| Canon PowerShot SD500 |
Sony DSC-P150 |
Measurable findings
| Camera |
Measurement |
Absolute
resolution |
Extinction
resolution |
| Samsung V700 |
Horizontal LPH |
1700 |
+ 2000 |
| Vertical LPH |
1600 |
* 1950 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+ 1000 |
n/a |
| Canon PowerShot SD500 |
Horiz LPH |
1550 |
1850 |
| Vert LPH |
* 1700 |
+* 2000 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+ 1000 |
n/a |
| Nikon Coolpix 7900 |
Horizontal LPH |
1500 |
1750 |
| Vertical LPH |
1500 |
1750 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+ 1000 |
n/a |
| Sony DSC-P150 |
Horizontal LPH |
1500 |
1700 |
| Vertical LPH |
1500 |
1750 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
+ 1000 |
n/a |
| * |
Moiré 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 V700 convincingly trounces the rest of the 'affordable' 7 megpixel camera crowd with a resolution that puts it near the top of the compact camera tree, and shows very little moiré. If pure detail capture is your primary concern this is certainly a camera worth consideration, offering the kind of performance we'd expect to see from a much more expensive camera.
Incidentally, our tests show there is no real advantage (in terms of resolution) in using the TIFF mode (in fact, it's virtually impossible to see any difference). We also found that - as is common in this type of camera - the resolution drops fairly drastically when you use an aperture smaller than F5.4 (the aperture used for these tests). |
