This comparison shows - not from exactly the same position, due to inaccessible areas of field and different seasonal conditions - a similar view with the 16-80mm CZ lens on (top) the 10 megapixel Sony Alpha 100 and (bottom) the 24 megapixel Alpha 77. Both files have been resampled to 5120 pixels wide, which is 17.5 megapixels and corresponds to a double page magazine spread in print, or an A2 print (16 x 24 inches cropped, or similar) from a typical inkjet or photo system.

Both are processed using the latest ACR/CS5 workflow, with zero sharpening and zero NR. Both are handheld shots with SSS at a speed likely to be sharp. The Alpha 100 image was shot at f/11 and the Alpha 77 image at f/8; this is more or less in line with diffraction-limit standards. Other apertures including f/11 were tested on the Alpha 77 but it proved very difficult to prevent the camera focusing on a foreground field even with spot focus selected; the spot area appears to be much larger than the A100, and to comprise the central group of cross sensors rather than just a single one. This f/8 result was the only correctly focused shot out of six taken at apertures between f/5.6 and f/11.