DxO Analyzer
DxO Analyzer uses advanced mathematics to measure key properties and optical faults in all kinds of image capture devices, including DSLRs. Favored by journalists, magazines and camera manufacturers, it produces a mass of data from a relatively simple test target on which is a matrix of small black dots. The user conducts a 2-step process, first by shooting a target under controlled conditions, using a reference DSLR fitted with the particular lens being tested.
In the second step, DxO Analyzer looks for tiny variations of position and shape among the dots in the matrix. It measures sharpness with exceptional precision and (here's the key point) how it varies across the frame.
Comment
There is a service at SLRGear.com that creates 3D graphs from the mountain of data generated by DxO Analyzer. With this service -- and the software -- you can gain unique insights into lens performance at various focal lengths and apertures.
Although primarily a tool for professional use in the testing lab, many hobbyists are so obsessive about performance issues they, too, find a good use for it. .
Tech info
- OS: Windows
- Price: on request
DxO Labs
DxO Labs has its headquarters in Europe and offices in the USA, Japan and Korea. It was founded in 2002 as a spin-off of Vision IQ, a world-leader in the field of computer vision.
From the same vendor:
- DxO Optics Pro
- dxomark.com, a special site with analytical data for all members of the digital photographic community who care about image quality. One resource: DxOMark Sensor measures only the RAW image quality -- a very powerful tool.
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