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Olympus E-400 resolution comparison
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To measure and compare the Olympus E-400's resolving power we photographed the Enhanced Digital Camera
Resolution Chart with it and a number of rival models, each using their
best quality JPEG and default image tone and sharpening settings. We tested the E-400 using both the kit Zuiko Digital 14-42mm and the Leica 14-50mm lenses.
The crops are taken from the original images, saved as High Quality JPEGs
in Photoshop CS2 and presented here at 100%. Each number represents 100
lines per picture height (lpph), so a figure of 20 means a resolution of
2000 lpph. |
We tested the Olympus E-400 and both lenses at every aperture and selected the sharpest results - in each case this was achieved at f8. Using the Zuiko Digital 14-42mm kit lens, the E-400 delivered 2050lpph or horizontal and vertical resolution, and was capable of fractionally more when fitted with the Leica 14-50mm, although the results were very close.
These results are measurably superior to the 8 megapixel Olympus E-500 and 7.5 Megapixel Panasonic L1, and roughly equivalent to the 10 Megapixel Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi with its kit lens. Fit the Canon 400D / XTi with a better lens though and it's capable of resolving 2150 lpph both horizontally and vertically, while the Nikon D80 with the Nikkor DX 18-70mm lens can deliver 2200 lpph. See our 10 Megapixel DSLR group test for comparisons.
A prime lens may squeeze a little more from the E-400, but the Leica 14-50mm is a quality optic and we assume the results below are a fair indicator of the E-400's resolving capability. This makes it the highest resolution Four Thirds DSLR yet, although equip its 10 Megapixel rivals with superior lenses and they can out-resolve it in this test.
Be sure to check our outdoor and outdoor noise results pages though to see how the E-400 compares against the Canon 400D / XTi and Panasonic L1 with real-life subjects at infinity. |
Olympus E-400 using ZD 14-42mm
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Olympus E-400 using Leica 14-50mm
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2050 lpph, 14-42mm at 25mm, f8, 100 ISO |
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2100 lpph, 14-50mm at 25mm, f8, 100 ISO |
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Olympus E-500 using ZD 14-45mm
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Panasonic Lumix L1 using Leica 14-50mm
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1800 lpph, 14-45mm at 25mm, f8, 100 ISO |
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1900 lpph, 14-50mm at 25mm, f8, 100 ISO |
Olympus E-400 using ZD 14-42mm
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Olympus E-400 using Leica 14-50mm
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2050 lpph, 14-42mm at 25mm, f8, 100 ISO |
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2100 lpph, 14-50mm at 25mm, f8, 100 ISO |
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Olympus E-500 using ZD 14-45mm
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Panasonic Lumix L1 using Leica 14-50mm
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1750 lpph, 14-45mm at 25mm, f8, 100 ISO |
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1950 lpph, 14-50mm at 25mm, f8, 100 ISO |
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