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 1/100th lines per picture height. So a value of 15 equates to 1500 lines per picture height. For each camera the relevant 50 mm 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, all settings factory default. Aperture selected for optimum sharpness. Exposure compensation +0.7 EV to +1.3 EV.
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| Canon EOS-1D Mark II (1,935 KB; 8 MP) | Canon EOS-1Ds (2,811 KB; 11 MP) |
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| Canon EOS-10D (1,904 KB; 6 MP) | Olympus C-8080 WZ (3,089 KB; 8 MP) |
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| Canon EOS-1D Mark II | Canon EOS-1Ds |
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| Canon EOS-10D | Olympus C-8080 WZ |
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| Canon EOS-1D Mark II | Canon EOS-1Ds |
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| Canon EOS-10D | Olympus C-8080 WZ |
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| Canon EOS-1D Mark II | Canon EOS-1Ds |
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| Canon EOS-10D | Olympus C-8080 WZ |
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| Canon EOS-1D Mark II | Canon EOS-1Ds |
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| Canon EOS-10D | Olympus C-8080 WZ |
Measurable findings (three measurements taken for each camera):
| Camera | Measurement | Absolute Res. |
Extinction Res. |
| Canon EOS-1D Mark II | Horiz LPH | 1850 | + 2000 |
| Vert LPH | 1650 | + 2000 | |
| 5° Diagonal LPH | + 1000 | n/a | |
| Canon EOS-1Ds | Horiz LPH | 2400 | * 2600 |
| Vert LPH | 2000 | * 2600 | |
| 5° Diagonal LPH | + 2000 | n/a | |
| Canon EOS 10D | Horiz LPH | 1600 | 1900 |
| Vert LPH | 1450 | 1850 | |
| 5° Diagonal LPH | + 1000 | n/a | |
| Olympus C-8080 WZ | Horiz LPH | 1700 | + * 2000 |
| Vert LPH | 1650 | * 1950 | |
| 5° Diagonal LPH | + 1000 | n/a |
* Moiré is visible, + Chart maximum,
# Jagged diagonals
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 1D Mark II's resolution sits comfortably somewhere between the six megapixel EOS 10D and the eleven megapixel EOS-1Ds. It's also interesting to see the difference between the resolution delivered by the 'prosumer' Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom and the Mark II.
