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 Nikon D90 delivers 2250 lpph of horizontal and vertical resolution when equipped with the standard DX 18-105mm VR kit lens. This is virtually identical to the D300 as you might expect given the similarities in their sensors. It’s also a very small step ahead of the Canon EOS 450D / XSi, which as you can see below is once again exhibiting punchier image processing by default.

The earlier D80 was one of the best-performing 10 Megapixel DSLRs we’ve tested, and when fitted with the (admittedly superior) DX 18-70mm lens, is only a very small step behind its successor when equipped with its kit lens. In tests with other models we’ve also only measured subtle differences between 10 and 12 Megapixel DSLRs, so existing D80 owners shouldn’t upgrade to the D90 expecting a noticeably higher degree of resolved detail.

As for the D90, you can achieve slightly higher resolution figures by shooting in RAW – you can see examples at the bottom of this page. Alternatively to see how it measures-up against the 450D / XSi in terms of noise, head straight over to our Nikon D90 High ISO page.