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 Canon EOS 450D / XSi delivers 2200 and 2225 lpph of horizontal and vertical resolution respectively when equipped with the standard EF-S 18-55mm IS kit lens. This is a measurable increase over its predecessor which scored 2000 and 2100 lpph of horizontal and vertical resolution respectively when fitted with its kit lens; it’s also an improvement over the EOS 40D even when equipped with a prime lens.

The Sony Alpha A350 scores highest here as you’d expect with its 14.2 Megapixel sensor, although the biggest difference is in horizontal resolution. Interestingly if you take the other 12 Megapixel DSLRs we’ve tested, including the Canon EOS 5D, Nikon D300 and Sony Alpha A700, all three score measurably higher in this test than the EOS 450D / XSi, although all three were also equipped with higher quality lenses.

We repeated this test using a Canon EF 50mm f1.2L lens at f8 and found the 450D / XSi could certainly deliver a better result: 2250 and 2300 lpph of horizontal and vertical resolution respectively, placing it roughly equal to the Nikon D300, although both the Canon 5D and Sony A700 just squeezed ahead.

To see RAW results for this test, scroll to the bottom of the page. Alternatively, head straight over to our real-life noise results to see how it performs across its sensitivity range.

Note Sony has asked us to describe the A350 sample tested as a pre-production model, but running the same version 1.0 firmware as final retail samples, we’re confident the output below is close or identical to what you can expect. We will update this page with results from a final retail A350 in the future.