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.
Studio light, cameras set to auto, all settings factory
default. Aperture selected for optimum sharpness. Exposure compensation
+0.7 EV to +1.3 EV. Sigma SD9 image processed with default parameters.
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| Canon EOS-1Ds |
Canon EOS-D60 |
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| Sigma SD9 |
Fujifilm S2 Pro (12 mp size) |
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| Canon EOS-1Ds |
Canon EOS-D60 |
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| Sigma SD9 |
Fujifilm S2 Pro (12 mp size) |
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| Canon EOS-1Ds |
Canon EOS-D60 |
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| Sigma SD9 |
Fujifilm S2 Pro (12 mp size) |
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| Canon EOS-1Ds |
Canon EOS-D60 |
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| Sigma SD9 |
Fujifilm S2 Pro (12 mp size) |
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| Canon EOS-1Ds |
Canon EOS-D60 |
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| Sigma SD9 |
Fujifilm S2 Pro (12 mp size) |
Beyond our chart? Almost
Clearly the EOS-1Ds has resolution beyond our standard resolution chart
when shot normally, however we can shoot the chart from a farther subject
distance so that the chart is exactly half its normal size (2032 x 1352
on the 4064 x 1704 frame - indicated by the red box in the thumbnail below).
This allows us to measure resolution up to 4000 LPH. When reading the
crops below values on the chart now represent 1/200th lines
per picture height. So a value of 15 equates to 3000 lines per picture
height.
Measurable findings (three measurements taken for each camera):
| Camera |
Measurement |
Absolute Res. |
Extinction Res. |
| Canon
EOS-1Ds |
Horiz LPH |
2400 |
* 2600 |
| Vert LPH |
2000 |
* 2600 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
2000 |
n/a |
| Canon
EOS-D60 |
Horiz LPH |
1600 |
* 1800 |
| Vert LPH |
1400 |
1800 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
1000 |
n/a |
| Sigma
SD9 |
Horiz LPH |
1550 |
>2000 |
| Vert LPH |
1550 |
>2000 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
1000 |
n/a |
Fujifilm
S2 Pro
(12 mp size) |
Horiz LPH |
1800 |
2000 |
| Vert LPH |
1700 |
2000 |
| 5° Diagonal LPH |
1000 |
n/a |
* Visible moiré artifacts
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 EOS-1Ds made a joke of our standard resolution
chart when shot at normal subject distances (filling the frame), however
a cunning step back and some careful shooting and we can get some real
measurements.
The resolution of the EOS-1Ds goes beyond anything we've
previously tested, it's the new king of the resolution chart, but as you
would expect with 11 million pixels at its disposal. What's amazing is
that this leap in resolution and pixel count has been produced almost
effortlessly*, Canon have simply delivered far more than we had expected
by the end of 2002.
* Canon's R&D department obviously deserve a lot
of credit for this, after all not only is the camera developed by Canon
but also the CMOS sensor - unique in the D-SLR world
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