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-A900 delivers 2900 and 3000 lpph of horizontal and vertical resolution respectively when equipped with the Sony Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f2.8 lens at f8. This makes it the highest resolution body we’ve tested at Cameralabs to date.

The figures also show a measurable increase over the previous resolution leader, the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, which scored 2775 and 2650 lpph with a prime 85mm lens. Unsurprisingly coming behind these Megapixel giants are the Nikon D700 and Canon EOS 5D which both scored 2400 lpph (the Canon dipping a little below in vertical resolution).

So the Sony Alpha DSLR A900 becomes the highest resolution non-medium format DSLR to date, and in terms of technical charts we don’t expect Canon’s forthcoming EOS 5D Mark II to give it any trouble. But as seen on the previous page, the A900’s extra pixels don’t allow it to capture perceptibly greater real-life detail than the Canon flagship in practice.

Once again though, the fact Sony is offering this kind of resolution at a fraction of the price of the Canon flagship is an excellent result, although again Canon’s upcoming 5D Mark II shares the 1Ds Mark III’s resolution at a price which undercuts the Sony.

Resolution is one thing, but noise levels at higher sensitivities are what make or break a camera for many people. So to find out how these bodies compare, head over to our Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 High ISO page, or scroll down to the bottom of this page to see whether shooting in RAW can affect the A900’s resolving power.