This is a good score for the A380, although as we saw on the previous page, this doesn’t necessarily translate into greater real-life detail compared to good 12.3 Megapixel models like the Nikon D5000 – indeed the punchier image processing of this lower resolution DSLR reveals finer detail using the default settings.

It’s also interesting to look back at our results for the Alpha A350 which shared the same sensor, but a different DT 18-70mm kit lens. In our tests with this combination, the A350 still erred on the side of softer image processing, but managed to resolve finer detail from our resolution chart. So like many kit lenses on high-res bodies, the new DT 18-55mm SAM unsurprisingly isn’t getting the best from the A380. For that you’ll want to upgrade to superior optics, such as the excellent Carl Zeiss 16-80mm zoom – see our full review of this model.

Now scroll down to see if shooting in RAW can improve the resolution score, or alternatively head straight on over to our High ISO Noise results page to see how it compares across its sensitivity range.

As also seen on the previous page, the converted RAW sample looks very similar to the in-camera JPEG when both are using their default settings. Look a little closer though and you’ll notice a slightly different approach to dealing with converging lines at the sensor’s limiting resolution, with the converted RAW file exhibiting more apparent moiré; indeed it’s responsible for a fractionally lower score in our vertical resolution sample.

So as before, shooting in RAW and converting with the default settings hasn’t delivered any apparent improvement over the in-camera JPEG, but again it gives you greater opportunity to tweak. As always, different settings, not to mention different RAW converters may deliver superior results, but you shouldn’t expect them by simply using the supplied software with its default settings. Now let's check out the camera's performance at different sensitivities in our Sony A380 High ISO noise results page.