Digital Photography Review
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 review
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 Digital Photography Review

Resolution Chart Comparison

Comparison cameras:

  • Panasonic DMC-FZ18 (7 MP, 12 x zoom)
  • Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd (8 MP, 18 x zoom)
  • Olympus SP-560UZ (8 MP, 18 x zoom)
  • Sony DSC-H7 (8.0 MP, 15x zoom)

Shots here are of our standard resolution chart (version one or two). This 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. (Note that on version two of our chart the vertical resolution 1000 - 2000 lines have been horizontally flipped but are otherwise identical). 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 auto, settings all factory default. If possible aperture was selected for optimum sharpness. Exposure compensation +0.7 EV to +1.3 EV.

Panasonic DMC-FZ18 (2,856 KB; 8 MP) Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd (2,643 KB; 8 MP)
Sony DSC-H7 (1,438 KB; 8 MP) Olympus SP-560UZ (1,995 KB; 8 MP)

Resolution Chart Crops
Panasonic DMC-FZ18 Fujifilm S8000fd
Sony DSC-H7 Olympus SP-560UZ
Panasonic DMC-FZ18 Fujifilm S8000fd
Sony DSC-H7 Olympus SP-560UZ

Measurable findings

Camera Measurement
Absolute
resolution
Extinction
resolution
Panasonic DMC-FZ18 Horizontal LPH 1600 2100
Vertical LPH 1650 *2150
5° Diagonal LPH +1000 n/a
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd Horizontal LPH * 1500 * 1675
Vertical LPH * 1550 * 1675
5° Diagonal LPH +1000 ‡ n/a
Olympus SP-560UZ Horiz LPH * 1500 * 1900
Vert LPH * 1600 * 2000
5° Diagonal LPH + 1000 n/a
Sony DSC-H7 Horizontal LPH 1550 * 1950
Vertical LPH 1600 * 2000
5° Diagonal LPH +1000 n/a

* Moiré is visible
+ Chart maximum
‡ Jagged diagonals
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)

None of these 'super zoom' cameras produces particularly inspiring resolution chart results, but all are capable of capturing a good level of detail (as long as you don't look into the corners of the frame). As usual Panasonic is leading the pack - just - thanks to the its optics.
From:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/PanasonicFZ18/
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