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 resolving power, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 delivers 2100 lpph of horizontal and vertical resolution respectively, which is a fraction below what we measured with the Alpha A100 using the same type of lens. Since both cameras employ the same sensor and were tested with the same model of lens, we’d expect essentially identical results, and the slight difference here is down to variances in manufacturing tolerances and experimental error. Ultimately it’s fair to say the new A200 shares the same resolving power as the old A100.

This is a good result for the A200, as it places it in the upper echelons of 10 Megapixel DSLRs with good company including Nikon’s D40x and D80. Like its predecessor it also means a slightly higher result than arch rival, the Canon EOS 400D / XTi when fitted with its EF-S 18-55mm kit lens. So overall, a respectable, albeit predictable result for the Alpha A200. Now let’s see how it performs in our real-life noise results.