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<strong>Imatest</strong> <strong>Documentation</strong><br />

Sharpness comparisons<br />

for several digital cameras<br />

Sharpness results derived from Websites<br />

Several websites publish images of ISO 12233 test charts that can be entered into <strong>Imatest</strong> SFR to obtain detailed sharpness<br />

measurements. This page contains sharpness results derived from charts downloaded from two sites:<br />

Dpreview.com (DPR)<br />

Imaging-resource.com (IR)<br />

The measurements in the tables below come from two areas of the ISO 12233 image, illustrated by red rectangles in the image<br />

below.<br />

First row: near the center. The rectangle just above the center of the chart (about 15% of the distance to the corners).<br />

Second row: near the corner. The rectangle in the lower right of the chart (about 78% of the distance to the corner). Results<br />

include Chromatic aberration, which cannot be measured near the center.<br />

These measurements are limited to<br />

One lens. For DSLRs this is usually one of the sharpest available, such as the 50mm f/1.4 prime (non-zoom).<br />

One focal length. Sharpness is a strong function of focal length for zoom lenses. The sites aren't very consistent in their choice<br />

of focal length for zooms in compact digital cameras; long, short or intermediate focal lengths may be chosen.<br />

One aperture, typically around the optimum: f/8-f/11 for DSLRs; f/4-f/5.6 for compact digital cameras.<br />

One ISO speed, which strongly affects noise and dynamic range, but has little effect on sharpness.<br />

One sharpening radius, typically 2, used in standardized sharpening calculations, indicated by (corr.) and red columns.<br />

One or two vertical edges (in most cases), resulting in horizontal MTF measurements. Sometimes vertical MTF (from<br />

horizontal edges) is different.<br />

One RAW converter (usually the JPEG converter built into the camera) with one setting, usually the default. The choce of<br />

converter and sharpness setting has a strong effect on sharpness measurements.<br />

Gamma assumed to be 0.5, typical for digital cameras. A 10% gamma error results in about a 2.5% MTF50 error. Though<br />

gamma error is rarely severe, gamma should be measured with Stepchart or Colorcheck for greatest accuracy.<br />

Exposure and lighting are not always optimum. If the image is too dim or bright there may be some clipping on data<br />

(where it goes pure black or white), which reduces the accuracy of the sharpness measurement. Lighting may not be as even as it<br />

should be.<br />

If you want to compare your own camera or lenses with the published charts, test lenses at various focal lengths and apertures, or<br />

observe the effects of ISO speed and signal processing, you'll need to download <strong>Imatest</strong>. The trial version allows up to twenty<br />

runs.<br />

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