Sigma S 200 mm f/2 DG OS
4. Image resolution
Let's check how the Sigma S 200 mm f/2 DG OS compares – its results in the frame centre, on the edge of the APS-C sensor and on the edge of full frame presents the graph below.
The performance in the frame centre is sensational, definitely worth a top-of-the-range fixed focal lens. Taking into account the maximum f/2.0 aperture we didn't expect here any resolution records because such records are usually reached by fast f/1.0-1.8 models. Still the Sigma 2/200 fared very well because at the maximum relative aperture it got a very high result of almost 72.5 lpmm and by f/4.0 it reached values of 85.8-85.9 lpmm. Such results not so long ago could guarantee you a place on the podum and were reached by such lenses as the Sony FE 85 mm f/1.4 GM II and the Viltrox AF 85 mm f/1.4 PRO.
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When it comes to the edge of the APS-C sensor you can describe it with superlatives only. At the maximum relative aperture you deal with a good value of 58 lpmm and stopping down the aperture is able to guarantee you excellent results, with MTFs reaching over 70 lpmm.
The demanding edge of full frame won't provide you any reasons to complain. By f/2.0 you reach almost 50 lpmm, with satisfactory sharp images; on stopping down you are able to stay near a good level of 60 lpmm. As you see, there is no slip-up here.
Inquiring Readers might notice one interesting tidbit. When you look at the results reached in our resolution tests by reflex camera models, the Canon EF 200 mm f/2.0L IS USM and the Nikkor AF-S 200 mm f/2G ED VRII, there is an impression that, in their case, the difference between the frame centre and its edge is smaller. For example by f/4.0 the resolution in the centre of the Nikkor was by 14% better than that on the edge of full frame. In case of the Canon this value reaches over 25%; in case of the Sigma it is as high as 43%. Still, two things should be taken into account. Firstly, mirrorless lenses are more difficutl to correct because their telecentricity problems. Secondly, now we tests lenses on 42-46 Mpix sensors and the older tests we performed on a much less densely packed detectors, of resolutions reaching 21-24 Mpix. The new tests provide not only a higher level of MTFs but also show bigger differences in one lens and between different models from different producers. It's enough you look here at the percentage difference between the maximum results and the decency level. In case of the Sony sensor tests this first level is higher than the second one by 2.2-2.3 times. In case of reflex-camera-based tests that difference reached near 1.5-1.7 times, significantly lower.
At the end of this chapter, traditionally, we present crops taken from photos of our resolution testing chart; they were saved as JPEG files recorded along RAW files we used in the analysis above.
| A7R IIIa, JPEG, 200 mm, f/2.0 |
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| A7R IIIa, JPEG, 200 mm, f/4.0 |
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