Resolution Chart Comparison

Shots here are of our 'version two' resolution chart which provides for measurement of resolution up to 4000 LPH (Lines Per Picture Height). A value of 20 equates to 2000 lines per picture height. 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 aperture priority (optimum aperture selected), image parameters default. Exposure compensation set to deliver approximately 80% luminance of white area.

Olympus E-3 (3.3 MB; 10 MP)	Canon EOS 40D (2.6 MB, 10 MP)
Nikon D300 (3.3 KB; 12 MP)	Sony DSLR-A700 (2.6 MB, 12 MP)
Panasonic DMC-L10 (3,615 KB; 10 MP)	Olympus E-510 (5,383 KB; 10 MP)

Olympus E-3	Canon EOS 40D
Nikon D300	Sony DSLR-A700
Panasonic L10	Olympus E-510

Olympus E-3	Canon EOS 40D
Nikon D300	Sony DSLR-A700
Panasonic L10	Olympus E-510

Olympus E-3	Canon EOS 40D
Nikon D300	Sony DSLR-A700
Panasonic L10	Olympus E-510

Measurable results

As we've said before the difference between 10 and 12 megapixels at this level is minimal, and when comparing JPEGs there's really not a lot to choose between the E-3 and its main competitors, though it's obvious from simply looking at the crops that the E-3 (and the E-510 for that matter) has a stronger Anti Alias filter than most, and even in JPEG mode the Panasonic L10 manages to pull more detail out of the chart (and the L10's JPEG output is nothing like as good as its RAW output).

The E-3 is showing a hint of moiré well before the absolute resolution limit is reached, which may be an indication of the reasoning behind using the stronger anti-alias filter.