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.

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.