Images on this page are of our standard 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 we use the relevant prime lens (the same one we use for all the other tests in a particular review). 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 in the white areas.
What we want to show here is how well the camera is able to resolve the detail in our standard test chart compared to the theoretical maximum resolution of the sensor, which for the charts we shoot is easy to work out - it's simply the number of vertical pixels (the chart shows the number of single lines per picture height, the theoretical limit is 1 line per pixel). Beyond this limit (which when talking about line pairs is usually referred to as the Nyquist frequency) the sensor cannot faithfully record image detail and aliasing occurs.
This limit is rarely attained, because the majority of sensors are fitted with anti-aliasing filters. Anti-aliasing filters are designed to reduce unpleasant moiré effects, but in doing so, they also reduce resolution (the relative strength and quality of these filters varies from camera to camera). In theory though, a sensor without an AA filter, when coupled with a 'perfect' lens, will deliver resolution equal to its Nyquist limit. Therefore, even though it may be effectively unattainable with normal equipment in normal shooting situations, an understanding of a sensor's theoretical limit provides a useful benchmark for best possible performance. Nyquist is indicated in these crops with a red line.
On this page we're looking at both JPEG and Raw resolution. For a (more) level playing field we convert the latter using Adobe Camera Raw. Because Adobe Camera Raw applies different levels of sharpening to different cameras (this confirmed) we use the following workflow for these conversions:
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| JPEG (4912 x 3264) 3.4MB | Raw (4912 x 3264) 5.3MB |
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| JPEG |
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| Raw |
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| JPEG | Raw |
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The results in the resolution chart are different from the last NEX we tested, the NEX-5N. The resolution is about the same, showing nine discrete lines until around 2300 lph. On the other hand, the moiré effect is much more pronounced on the NEX-6, probably due to a lighter AA filter. You'll notice this effect less in JPEGs than in RAW images, though you also get obvious haloing from rather unsubtle sharpening.
Sony NEX-6L/B 16.1 MP Compact Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens and 3-Inch LED (Black) | $798.00 |
Sony NEX-6L/B 16.1 MP Compact Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens and 3-Inch LED (Black) | $798.00 |
Sony NEX6L/B2BDL 16.1 MP Compact System Camera with 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens and 55-210mm Lens (Black) | $1,035.53 |
Sony NEX-6/B 16.1 MP Compact Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 3-Inch LED - Body Only (Black) | $648.00 |
Sony NEX-6L/B NEX6 NEX-6 NEX-6L 16.1 MP Compact Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens and 3-Inch LED (Black) ULTIMATE BUNDLE with 32GB High Speed Card, Spare Battery, Deluxe Filter Kit, Mini HDMI cable, SD card reader + More | $799.00 |
Sony NEX-5RK/B 16.1 MP Compact Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lenses (Black) | $503.99 |
Sony Alpha NEX-6 Digital Camera Body & 16-50mm Lens (Black) with E 55-210mm Lens + 64GB Card + Battery & Charger + Case + Filters + Tele/Wide Lenses + Accessory Kit | $1,059.95 |
Sony NEX-6L/B NEX6 NEX-6 NEX-6L 16.1 MP Compact Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens and 3-Inch LED (Black)+ Sony 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens ULTIMATE BUNDLE with 32GB High Speed Card, Spare Battery, Deluxe Filter Kit+ More! | $1,069.00 |
Sony Alpha NEX-6 Digital Camera Body & 16-50mm Lens (Black) with E 55-210mm Lens + 64GB Card + Battery + Case + Filters + Tripod + Tele/Wide Lenses + Accessory Kit | $1,059.95 |
Sony Alpha NEX-6 Digital Camera Body & 16-50mm Lens (Black) with 64GB Card + Battery & Charger + Case + 3 UV/CPL/ND8 Filters + Tele/Wide Lenses + Accessory Kit | $829.95 |
Sony NEX-3NL/B Compact Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera Kit (Black) | $448.00 |
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