Resolution Chart Comparison
Comparison cameras:
- Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 (5 MP, 12x zoom)
- Panasonic DMC-FZ5 (5 MP, 12x zoom)
- Panasonic DMC-FZ20 (5 MP, 12x zoom)
- Kodak DX7590 (3.1 MP, 10x 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.
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.
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| Konica Minolta Z5 (1,858 KB; 5 MP) | Panasonic DMC-FZ20 (1,846 KB; 5 MP) |
|---|---|
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| Panasonic DMC-FZ5 (1,802 KB; 5 MP) | Kodak DX7590 (1,418 KB; 5 MP) |
Resolution chart crops
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| Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 | Panasonic DMC-FZ5 |
|---|---|
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| Panasonic DMC-FZ20 | Kodak DX7590 |
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| Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 | Panasonic DMC-FZ5 |
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| Panasonic DMC-FZ20 | Kodak DX7590 |
Measurable findings
| Camera | Measurement | Absolute resolution |
Extinction resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 |
Horizontal LPH | *1300 | *1500 |
| Vertical LPH | *1250 | *1500 | |
| 5° Diagonal LPH | *1000 | n/a | |
| Panasonic DMC-FZ5 | Horizontal LPH | 1350 | 1650 |
| Vertical LPH | 1300 | 1600 | |
| 5° Diagonal LPH | +1000 | n/a | |
| Panasonic DMC-FZ20 | Horizontal LPH | 1350 | 1650 |
| Vertical LPH | 1300 | 1600 | |
| 5° Diagonal LPH | +1000 | n/a | |
| Kodak DX7590 | Horizontal LPH | 1100 | *1400 |
| Vertical LPH | 1200 | *1450 | |
| 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) |
In sheer resolution terms the Z5 is around the average for its class, though both Panasonic FZ models manage to squeeze slightly more detail out of the chart with their Leica lenses. Less impressive is the rather unpleasant moire (color fringing) caused by poor in-camera processing (oh if only this camera had a RAW mode!) that is visible at fairly low frequencies.
