Resolution Results

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1		Canon EOS-350D with 18-55mm EF-S
1900 lpph, 14.3-71.5mm at 42mm, f8, 1/60, 160 ISO		1750 lpph, 18-55mm EF-S at 35mm, f8, 1/60, 100 ISO
Fujifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom		Panasonic DMC-FZ30
1800 lpph, 6.2-66.7mm at 11mm, f8, 1/40, 80 ISO		1700 lpph, 7.4-88.8mm at 11mm, f8, 1/25, 80 ISO

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1		Canon EOS-350D with 18-55mm EF-S
1950 lpph, 14.3-71.5mm at 42mm, f8, 1/60, 160 ISO		1750 lpph, 18-55mm EF-S at 35mm, f8, 1/60, 100 ISO
Fujfifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom		Panasonic DMC-FZ30
1850 lpph, 6.2-66.7mm at 11mm, f8, 1/40, 80 ISO		1750 lpph, 7.4-88.8mm at 11mm, f8, 1/25, 80 ISO

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1		Canon EOS-350D		Fujfifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom		Panasonic DMC-FZ30
14.3-71.5mm at 14.3mm f2.8		18-55mm EF-S at 18mm f3.5		6.2-66.7mm at 6.2mm f2.8		7.4-88.8mm at 7.4mm f2.8
14.3-71.5mm at 71.5mm f4.8		18-55mm EF-S at 55mm f5.6		6.2-66.7mm at 66.7mm f4.9		7.4-88.8mm at 88.8mm f3.7

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 macro comparison

To measure macro performance we photographed a custom chart using the bundled lenses at a distance and focal length which delivered the maximum possible reproduction. The dark lines are 10mm apart.The image left was taken with the Sony DSC-R1 from 25cm using its lens at 71.5mm f8 (120mm equivalent). Here the camera captured an area of 102x68mm which is the least impressive of the group, although in its favour, there’s little to no distortion.

Canon EOS-350D with 18-55mm EF-S		Fujfifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom		Panasonic DMC-FZ30
18-55mm EF-S at 55mm f8 Max area of 66x44mm at 13cm		6.2-66.7mm at 6.2mm f8 Max area of 50x38mm at 2.1cm		7.4-88.8mm at 7.4mm f8 Max area of 86x64mm at 6.3cm

		Fujfifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom		Panasonic DMC-FZ30
18-55mm EF-S at 18mm f8 Distortion: 3.35% barrel		6.2-66.7mm at 6.2mm f8 Distortion: 2.38% barrel		7.4-88.8mm at 7.4mm f8 Distortion: 2.35%

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 telephoto geometry comparison,

To measure geometric distortion we photographed a custom test chart consisting of a grid pattern with perfectly straight lines. Here are the results for the cameras at their longest focal length with an aperture of f8 in Aperture Priority mode. The images were analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution.The image left was taken with the Sony DSC-R1 at 71.5mm f8 (120mm equivalent). Pincushion distortion was barely measureable at just 0.0082%. Geometry is almost perfect on the R1 at longer focal lengths.

Canon EOS-350D with 18-55mm EF-S		Fujfifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom		Panasonic DMC-FZ30
18-55mm EF-S at 55mm f8 Distortion: 0.389% pincushion		6.2-66.7mm at 66.7mm f8 Distortion: 0.237% pincushion		7.4-88.8mm at 88.8mm f8 Distortion: 0.317% barrel

Canon EOS-350D with 18-55mm EF-S		Fujfifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom		Panasonic DMC-FZ30
18-55mm EF-S at 18mm f3.5 Mean corner fall-off: 68.8%		6.2-66.7mm at 6.2mm f2.8 Mean corner fall-off: 81.5%		7.4-88.8mm at 7.4mm f2.8 Mean corner fall-off: 77.8%

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 telephoto uniformity comparison

To measure lens vignetting and light fall-off we photographed a white target with a highly diffused custom filter. Here are the results for the cameras at their longest focal lengths with the apertures wide open and the focus at infinity. The images were analysed with Imatest and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution. Bigger percentages are better.The image left was taken with the Sony DSC-R1 at 71.5mm f4.8 (120mm equivalent). The light falls off to 87.2% of the center measurement, which again while comparable to other good all-in-ones, is better than many D-SLR bundled lenses.

Canon EOS-350D with 18-55mm EF-S		Fujfifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom		Panasonic DMC-FZ30
18-55mm EF-S at 55mm f5.6 Mean corner fall-off: 83.8%		6.2-66.7mm at 66.7mm f4.9 Mean corner fall-off: 91.5%		7.4-88.8mm at 88.8mm f3.7 Mean corner fall-off: 87.6%