Resolution Chart Comparison
Comparison cameras:
- Olympus Sp-310 (7 MP, 3x zoom)
- Canon PowerShot SD550 (7 MP, 3x zoom)
- Nikon Coolpix 7900 (7 MP, 3x zoom)
- Casio EX-Z750 (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.
Note: The SP-310 shots shown here are of our new '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.
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.
 |
|
| Olympus SP-310 (4,630 KB; 7 MP) | Nikon Coolpix 7900 (2,348 KB; 7 MP) |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Canon PowerShot SD550 (2,444 KB; 7 MP) | Casio EX-Z750 (3,991 KB; 7 MP) |
Resolution Chart crops
 |
 |
| Olympus SP-310 | Nikon Coolpix 7900 |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Canon PowerShot SD550 | Casio EX-Z750 |
 |
|
 |
 |
| Olympus SP-310 | Nikon Coolpix 7900 |
 |
 |
| Canon PowerShot SD550 | Casio EX-Z750 |
Measurable findings
| Camera | Measurement | Absolute resolution |
Extinction resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympus SP-310 | Horizontal LPH | 1550 | * 1800 |
| Vertical LPH | 1550 | *1800 | |
| 5° Diagonal LPH | + 1000 | n/a | |
| Canon PowerShot SD550 | Horiz LPH | 1600 | 1950 |
| 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 | |
| Casio EX-Z750 | Horizontal LPH | 1650 | +* 2000 |
| Vertical LPH | 1600 | *1900 | |
| 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) |
Perhaps unsurprisingly the SP-310's results are broadly what we'd expect from a camera in this class, and though they look over-sharpened compared to all the other results, you can squeeze a little more resolution - and a lot less sharpening artefacts - if you shoot raw.
