The Free, Comprehensive Image Quality Database for Popular DSLR Cameras and Lenses also Adds Hundreds of new Measurements

November 23, 2010 – DxO Labs today announced the launch of DxOMark 2011, the latest version of its online service for image quality data and analysis of DSLR cameras and lenses. In addition to reporting on more than 200 new lens/camera combinations, pushing the total to nearly 1,000 data sets, DxOMark 2011 includes a new ranking system that compiles data in an intuitive and comprehensive overall score, and easier navigation and image quality data access. DxO Labs has significantly increased testing capacity to return data for the latest camera and lens models immediately upon their marketplace introduction.

With this update to DxOMark, DxO Labs has revised its Peak Score – now called the “DxOMark Score” – and takes into account more difficult lighting conditions, corresponding to low-light indoor scenes. Under such conditions, high scores are earned by lenses featuring high f numbers so long as their optical performance stays high at the widest apertures.

DxO Labs has also redesigned the scoring gauge to show both the DxOMark Score and consistency over the lens focal range at the same time. At a glance, visitors can now see how a lens – with its camera body – best performs and how its performance holds up across the focal range. Lenses can now be ranked using the DxOMark Score or using one of the five Optical Metric Scores -- resolution, distortion, vignetting, transmission or chromatic aberrations.

Additionally, the new site makes it easy to compare lenses and camera bodies by adding each to a selection list and viewing a comparison page with every selected item. More information on the new features is available here.

“With these significant new features and improvements, we further emphasize our dedication to making DxOMark 2011 the most reliable and up-to-date source of RAW-based image quality data for digital cameras and lenses,” said Nicolas Touchard, vice president of marketing, image quality evaluation for DxO Labs. “This includes more stringent use case testing for reporting performance, easier ways to visualize consistency of zoom lens performance, and accelerated testing of cameras and lenses to keep pace with the many new models reaching the marketplace.”

The new lenses available with the release of DxOMark 2011 are listed below. Each lens is measured on many camera bodies providing more than 200 new combinations available on the site.

• Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro

• Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO-M DG Macro Canon

• Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO-M DG Macro Canon

• Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO HSM Nikon

• Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO HSM Canon

• Pentax smc PENTAX DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED

• Pentax smc Pentax DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]

• Pentax smc PENTAX DA 16-45mm F4 ED AL

• Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

• Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

• Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G ED

• Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED

• Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II USM

• Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

• Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

• Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

• Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

• Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

About DxOMark
Sponsored by DxO Labs, DxOMark is the reliable, objective, manufacturer-independent source of information about camera and lens image quality that demanding photographers can trust.

There are many valuable resources available through traditional and web media to help assess the image quality of digital cameras, but only DxOMark consistently uses RAW data. DxOMark thus makes it possible for photographers who shoot in RAW to assess the intrinsic quality of their lenses and cameras before the impact of any RAW conversion.

DxOMark measurements rely on DxO Analyzer, the world’s leading turn-key laboratory solution for image quality evaluation. Thanks to its accuracy, completeness, and reliability, DxO Analyzer has become the reference tool for numerous leading imaging industry players, photography magazines, and websites.

About DxO Labs
DxO Labs offers products and solutions ensuring excellence in digital imaging. The company develops and licenses patented intellectual property serving the entire digital imaging chain:

• For consumer electronics OEM/ODM (such as digital camera and camera phone vendors): embedded software and silicon architectures for real time still and video image processing;

• For imaging component suppliers (camera module manufacturers, sensor vendors, and processor vendors) as well as photography journalists and imaging experts: image quality evaluation and measurement tools;

• For serious and demanding photographers, PC and Mac solutions to enhance cameras image quality.

For more information, visit DxO Labs website at www.dxo.com