To measure and compare resolving power under studio conditions, we photographed the Enhanced Digital Camera Resolution Chart with each lens set to a focal length of 35mm and an aperture of f8. The DX 18-55mm VR and DX 18-55mm II lenses were both tested with a D60 body, while the other two lenses were tested with a D80 – both bodies share the same sensor.

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.

In terms of resolution, the DX 18-55mm VR delivered 2175 lpph of horizontal and vertical resolution when mounted on a D60 body. Moments later we took our DX 18-55mm II test shots with the same D60 body under identical conditions and it scored fractionally higher with 2200 lpph. As observed on the previous outdoor images results page, the DX 18-55mm VR crops also appear softer than those from the DX 18-55mm II.

As seen on the previous page, there’s essentially no difference in real-life detail, but it’s interesting to measure a slightly higher result under studio conditions with the older DX 18-55mm II lens. While the newer version of the lens appears to not quite perform as well optically as its predecessor, it still delivers a very good result compared to rival kit lenses. Nikon should be commended for producing such good performance from its most affordable kit zooms. Now let’s look at the corner sharpness performance.