DxOMark, the website of reference for measuring the image quality of digital cameras and lenses, has launched a of new measurement standard for describing lens sharpness, the Perceptual Megapixel.
Designed by DxOMark experts, Perceptual Megapixel quantifies the sharpness ‘perceived’ by the photographer while taking into account all the characteristics and defects of the lens and the camera. The new unit of measure replaces the MTF scores the site has been publishing to date. Perceptual Mpix weights MTF measurements with the sensitivity to detail of the human visual system, thereby providing a score for the sharpness perceived by normal eyes. This enables photographers to step away from manufacturers’ announcements about resolution when evaluating new cameras and lenses.
The new metric introduced by DxOMark aligns with the standardisation work currently being undertaken by the IEEE, the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A), and the ISO ““ in which DxO Labs actively participates. Perceptual Mpix is also based on the scientific findings of CNES (the French space agency) relating to the optimisation of digital data in the field of satellite imagery.
Freely available to all, DxOMark has been designed to serve the entire photographic community, from serious amateur photographers to photo experts and journalism specialists. It has a threefold mission: to provide objective measurements of digital cameras and lenses; to analyse camera and lens performance; and to provide a means for making meaningful comparisons.
DxOMark now has a database of more than 2,700 available camera/lens combinations, obtained through testing protocols that conform to the international standards established by the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA), the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A), and the Camera Phone Image Quality (CPIQ) group. For more information, visit DxO Labs’ website at www.dxo.com.
