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

For this purpose we use line widths per picture height (LW/PH). LW/PH is equal to 2 * lp/mm * (picture height in mm).<br />

Where total picture height is involved, line widths is customarily used instead of pairs (where one line pair equals two line<br />

widths).<br />

The use of picture height gives a slight advantage to compact digital cameras, which have an aspect ratio (width:height) of 4:3,<br />

compared to 3:2 for digital SLRs. Compact digital cameras have slightly more vertical pixels for a given number of total pixels. For<br />

example, a 5.33 megapixel compact digital camera would have 2000 vertical pixels— as many as a 6 megapixel DSLR.<br />

Another measure of spatial frequency used with digital cameras is cycles or line pairs per pixel (c/p or lp/p). This gives an<br />

indication of how well individual pixels perform. There is no need to use actual distances (millimeters or inches) to evaluate digital<br />

camera image quality, although such measurements are available in <strong>Imatest</strong> SFR.<br />

<strong>Imatest</strong> SFR program output contains results on the left and input data on the right (a thumbnail of the entire image, the region of<br />

interest (ROI), and selected EXIF data).<br />

(top) A narrow image that illustrates the tones of the<br />

averaged edge. It is aligned with the edge profile (spatial<br />

domain) plot, immediately below.<br />

(middle) Spatial domain plot: The average edge profile<br />

(linearized, i.e., proportional to light energy). The key result is<br />

the 10-90% edge rise distance, shown in pixels and in the<br />

number of rise distances per picture height. The red values<br />

are for standardized sharpening. Other parameters include<br />

overshoot and undershoot (if applicable). This plot can<br />

optionally display the line spread function (LSF: the derivative<br />

of the edge), or the edge in pixels (gamma-encoded).<br />

(bottom) Frequency domain plot: The Spatial Frequency<br />

Response (MTF), shown to twice the Nyquist frequency.<br />

The key result is MTF50, the 50% MTF frequency, which<br />

corresponds to perceived image sharpness. It is given in<br />

cycles per pixel (c/p) and line widths per picture height<br />

(LW/PH). Other results include MTF at NYQ, the MTF at the<br />

Nyquist frequency (0.5 cycles/pixel; sampling rate/2), which<br />

indicates the probable severity of aliasing. The Nyquist<br />

frequency is displayed as a vertical blue line.<br />

For this camera, which is moderately sharpened, MTF50P<br />

(only shown when Standardized sharpening display is<br />

unchecked) is identical to MTF50.<br />

SFR Results: MTF (sharpness) plot describes this<br />

Figure in detail.<br />

Interpreting MTF50<br />

Results from the ISO 1233 image for the Canon EOS-10D.<br />

This section was written before the addition of SQF (Subjective Quality Factor) to <strong>Imatest</strong> (Ver. 2.1, November 2006).<br />

SQF allows a more refined estimate of perceived print sharpness.<br />

What MTF50 do you need? It depends on print size. If you plan to print gigantic posters (20x30 inches or over), the more the<br />

merrier. Any high quality 4+ megapixel digital camera (one that produces good test results; MTF50(corr) > 0.3 cycles/pixel) is<br />

capable of producing excellent 8.5x11 inch (letter-size; A4) prints. At that size a fine DSLR wouldn't offer a large advantage in<br />

MTF. With fine lenses and careful technique (a different RAW converter from Canon's and a little extra sharpening), my 6.3<br />

megapixel Canon EOS-10D (corrected MTF50 = 1340 LW/PH) makes very good 12x18 inch prints (excellent if you don't view<br />

them too closely). Prints are sharp from normal viewing distances, but pixels are visible under a magnifier or loupe; the prints are<br />

not as sharp as the Epson 2200 printer is capable of producing. Softness or pixellation would be visible on 16x24 inch enlargements.<br />

The EOS-20D has a slight edge at 12x18 inches; it's about as sharp as I could ask for. There's little reason go go to a 12+ megapixel<br />

camera lie the EOS 5D, unless you plan to print larger. Sharpness comparisons contains tables, derived from images<br />

downloaded from two well-known websites, that compare a number of digital cameras. Several outperform the 10D.<br />

The table below is an approximate guide to quality requirements. The equation for the left column is<br />

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