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-A300 delivers 2100 lpph of horizontal and vertical resolution when equipped with the standard DT 18-70mm kit lens. This, as we’d expect is identical to the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200, as both models share the same 10 Megapixel sensor and image processor. The minor differences between the A300 and A200 samples seen below are down to different copies of the DT 18-70mm lens, and different production levels for the models tested.

By scoring the same as the Alpha A200, the new A300 is ranked towards the top of the current crop of 10 Megapixel DSLRs, and like these, you’ll be able to squeeze out greater resolution by fitting a higher quality lens like the Sony DT 16-80mm. Indeed the A200 / A300 equipped with a decent lens will approach the resolution of the 12 Megapixel Canon 450D / XSi with its kit lens – although again, fit the Canon with something better and you’ll enjoy superior results. Finally, the 14 Megapixel Sony Alpha A350 unsurprisingly scores highest in this test, even when equipped with the ageing kit lens.

So as you’d expect, the 10, 12 and 14 Megapixel DSLRs represented below deliver increasingly higher resolutions, although the differences in real-life recorded detail can be subtle as seen on the previous results page.

Scroll down to see how shooting in RAW can affect this test, or head straight over to our real-life noise results to see how it performs across its sensitivity range.