Resolution Chart Comparison
Shots 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. 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 aperture priority (optimum aperture selected), image parameters default. Exposure compensation set to deliver approximately 80% luminance of white area.
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| Panasonic DMC-L10 (3,615 KB; 10 MP) | Nikon D40X (2,762 KB, 10 MP) |
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| Canon EOS 400D (2,720 KB, 10 MP) | Pentax K10D (2,271 KB; 10 MP) |
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| Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 (2,213 KB; 10 MP) | Olympus E-510 (5,383 KB; 10 MP) |
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| Panasonic L10 | Nikon D40X |
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| Canon EOS 400D | Pentax K10D |
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| Pentax K10D | Olympus E-510 |
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| Panasonic L10 | Nikon D40X |
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| Canon EOS 400D | Pentax K10D |
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| Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 | Olympus E-510 |
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| Panasonic L10 | Nikon D40X |
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| Canon EOS 400D | Pentax K10D |
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| Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 | Olympus E-510 |
Measurable results
| Camera | Measurement | Absolute resolution |
Extinction resolution |
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| Panasonic L10 | Horizontal LPH | * 2200 | * 2450 |
| Vertical LPH | * 2100 | * 2450 | |
| Olympus E-510 | Horizontal LPH | * 2050 | * 2300 |
| Vertical LPH | * 1800 | * 2300 | |
| Nikon D40X | Horizontal LPH | 2200 | 2300 |
| Vertical LPH | 1800 | 2300 | |
| Canon EOS 400D | Horizontal LPH | 2200 | 2300 |
| Vertical LPH | 1800 | 2300 | |
| Pentax K10D | Horizontal LPH | * 2000 | * 2300 |
| Vertical LPH | 1800 | * 2500 | |
| Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 | Horizontal LPH | * 2200 | 2900 |
| Vertical LPH | * 1800 | 2800 |
| * | Moire is visible |
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| + | Chart maximum |
| LPH | Lines per Picture Height (to allow for different aspect ratios the measurement is the same for horizontal and vertical) |
| Absolute resolution | 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 resolution | Detail beyond camera's definition (becomes aliased) |
Although not quite 'best in class' the L10's JPEG resolution is very good and the results remarkably clean, with only the faintest evidence of sharpening and a very smooth fall off as you reach extinction. There's a small amount of moiré on 45° diagonals, but we didn't see this in our real world shots. You can also eke a little more resolution out of the L10's sensor if you shoot raw and develop carefully using ACR.
Kit lens resolution
Although it can't match the Olympus 50mm macro, the kit lens actually captures a very respectable amount of detail (even with the softening effect of Panasonic's in-camera processing).
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Olympus 50mm F2.0 Macro |
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Kit lens (14-50mm Leica Vario Elmar D) |
