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Pentax K10D Gordon Laing, April 2007

Outdoor / Resolution / Noise / Noise 2

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Pentax K10D resolution comparison

Enhanced Digital Camera Resolution Chart   To measure and compare the Pentax K10D'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 parameters.

To reflect typical usage, each camera was fitted with its most common kit lens option, respectively: the Pentax DA 18-55mm, Canon EF-S 18-55mm and Nikkor DX 18-135mm. We've also included a result for the K10D with the 40mm Limited Edition lens to see what the body's capable of. We tested each lens at every aperture and selected the sharpest results - in each case below this was achieved at f8.

The crops below 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.

Using the DA 18-55mm kit lens at 35mm f8, the K10D delivered 2050 and 2150 lpph of horizontal and vertical resolution respectively. When fitted with the better quality Pentax DA 40mm Limited Edition lens, the K10D delivered a superior figure of 2200 lpph for both horizontal and vertical resolution. Note: we've taken these measurements at the point where moiré began to blur the lines, but the extinction resolution for the K10D in this test was much finer.

These results place the K10D higher than the Canon EOS 400D / XTi, but slightly below the Nikon D80 when each is equipped with the kit lenses listed. Fit the K10D with a superior lens and it can match the best results we've measured from both the Nikon D80 and Canon EOS 400D / XTi as seen in our earlier 10 Megapixel DSLR group test. Another respectable result then for the K10D, although again what we'd expect from a good mid-range 10 Megapixel DSLR.

Pentax K10D
Using Pentax DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL
Pentax K10D
Using
Pentax DA 40mm f2.8 Limited
2050 lpph, DA 18-55mm at 35mm, f8, 100 ISO
2200 lpph, DA 40mm at f8, 100 ISO

Canon EOS-400D / Rebel XTi
Using Canon EF-S 18-55mm
 
Nikon D80
Using Nikkor DX 18-135mm
Canon EOS-400D / Rebel XTi with EF-S 18-55mm
2000 lpph, EF-S 18-55mm at 35mm, f8, 100 ISO
2150 lpph, DX 18-135mm at 35mm, f8, 100 ISO


Pentax K10D
Using Pentax DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL
Pentax K10D
Using
Pentax DA 40mm f2.8 Limited
2150 lpph, DA 18-55mm at 35mm, f8, 100 ISO
2200 lpph, DA 40mm at f8, 100 ISO

Canon EOS-400D / Rebel XTi
Using Canon EF-S 18-55mm
 
Nikon D80
Using Nikkor DX 18-135mm
Canon EOS-400D / Rebel XTi with EF-S 18-55mm
2100 lpph, EF-S18-55mm at 35mm, f8, 100 ISO
2150 lpph, DX 18-135mm at 35mm, f8, 100 ISO

Pentax K10D results continued...

Outdoor / Resolution / Noise / Noise 2


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