Resolution Chart Comparison
Comparison cameras:
- Sony DSC-HX1 (9.0 MP, 20x zoom)
- Canon PowerShot SX1 IS (10.0 MP, 20x zoom)
- Panasonic DMC-FZ28 (10 MP, 18x 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. When possible, the aperture was selected for optimum sharpness. Exposure compensation +0.7 EV to +1.3 EV.
Resolution Chart Crops
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| Sony DSC-HX1 |
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS |
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| Panasonic Lumix FZ28 |
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| Sony DSC-HX1 |
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS |
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| Panasonic Lumix FZ28 |
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Measurable findings
| Camera |
Measurement |
Absolute
resolution |
Extinction
resolution |
| Sony DMC-HX1 |
Horizontal LPH |
1800 |
2300* |
| Vertical LPH |
1800 |
2200* |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
1600 |
n/a |
| Canon PowerShot SX1 IS |
Horizontal LPH |
1800 |
2300* |
| Vertical LPH |
1800 |
2200* |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
1600 |
n/a |
| Panasonic Lumix FZ28 |
Horizontal LPH |
2000 |
2400* |
| Vertical LPH |
2000 |
2400* |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
1600 |
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) |
In testing we found that these three cameras were pretty close in terms of usable resolution, with the FZ28 clearly ahead of the HX1 and SX1 IS. You can see from these crops just how much more sharpening the HX1 is doing in-camera. These slight differences in resolution are going to be very difficult to see in normal usage, so you would not choose one of these cameras over another for resolution.
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