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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| Nikon D50 |
Nikon D70s |
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| Canon EOS 300D |
Pentax *ist DS |
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| Nikon D50 |
Nikon D70s |
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| Canon EOS 300D |
Pentax *ist DS |
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| Nikon D50 |
Nikon D70s |
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| Canon EOS 300D |
Pentax *ist DS |
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| Nikon D50 |
Nikon D70s |
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| Canon EOS 300D |
Pentax *ist DS |
Measurable findings (three measurements taken for each camera):
| Camera |
Measurement |
Absolute
resolution |
Extinction
resolution |
| Nikon D50 |
Horiz LPH |
1600 |
* 1850 |
| Vert LPH |
1400 |
* 1850 |
| Nikon D70s |
Horiz LPH |
1600 |
* 1850 |
| Vert LPH |
1450 |
* 1850 |
| Canon EOS 300D |
Horiz LPH |
1600 |
1900 |
| Vert LPH |
1450 |
1850 |
| Pentax *ist DS |
Horiz LPH |
* 1400 |
* 1550 |
| Vert LPH |
* 1400 |
* 1600 |
| * |
Moire 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) |
As we had expected the D50 delivers virtually the same resolution as the D70/D70s, perhaps just a little bit less vertically. The biggest difference is what happens as we get into frequencies above nyquist, the maze / moire response on the D50 is noticeably less than / different to that of the D70s.
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