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 PowerShot G9 improves on its predecessor by delivering 2250 lpph of horizontal and vertical resolution; this technically places it on a level playing field with the 12 Megapixel Sony W200 compact.

Both the Canon G9 and Sony W200 deliver superior results here to the EOS 400D / XTi when coupled with its kit lens, although this test only measures resolution in the middle of the frame under studio conditions. The 400D / XTi can deliver almost 10% better when fitted with a decent lens and of course all DSLRs have significant advantages when it comes to noise levels at higher sensitivities, not to mention superior tonal dynamic range. It should also be noted the non-DSLRs here have an advantage in this test with their squarer 4:3 frames concentrating more pixels in the target area. Indeed 10 Megapixel DSLRs with 3:2 aspect ratios are effectively only working at 8.9 Megapixels when you’re directly comparing 4:3 areas with compacts.

That said, the PowerShot G9’s result remains quite impressive. So long as you keep it set to its lowest sensitivities, it’s capable of recording a great deal of detail. Now let’s look at the PowerShot G9’s noise levels, where the difference between a compact and a DSLR becomes quite apparent.