In the world of video security systems, a picture is worth a thousand words, but only if the picture is sharp, crisp, and has deep contrasts. It is an industry so intolerant of doubt and shades of gray that it depends on software to achieve precision, clarity and resolution.

Pelco, the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of video and security systems, has long understood the software component in the image quality equation, which is why it has relied on Imatest software and testing products for years. (more…)

CMOS sensor R&D is enabled by Imatest

There are no shortcuts in the process of CMOS image sensor configuration. There is only a myriad set of tasks: setting sensor registers; capturing images; conducting tests; and analyzing results – a cycle that is repeated again and again to achieve an ideal configuration. From medical devices to mobile-phone cameras to military targeting systems, CMOS image sensors support a diverse range of imaging applications. (more…)

Release 3.2 of Imatsest Master includes SFRplus, a new capability that automatically identifies regions of interest (ROI) and helps you rapidly complete a wide range of image quality tests, including sharpness, lateral chromatic aberration, lens distortion, gamma (contrast), and tonal response. (more…)

Multiple files can be read and averaged (and saved) to facilitate measurements of fixed-pattern noise (in Stepchart, Colorcheck, and Light Falloff) and image stabilization (SFR). Highly distorted regions of interest (ROIs) can be analyzed with Colorcheck and Stepchart. New ΔE measurements and hot/dead pixel options have been added to Light Falloff.

Imatest Master and Studio have been introduced, replacing Pro and Light. Support for Bayer RAW images has been strengthened.

The new Dynamic Range module calculates dynamic range from Several Stepchart images of reflective targets (much easier than using transmission targets).

The Screen Patterns module displays several patterns for Imatest modules, monitor calibration, and camera testing.

Spot detection is now available in Light Falloff. CIEDE2000 color difference metrics are now available in Multicharts and Colorcheck.

Two new options are available for refining multiple ROI selections in repeated SFR runs (Imatest Master only). (1) Multi-ROI fine adjustment (shift, magnify, reduce), and (2) Automatic ROI refinement. These speed up test sequences of different cameras and lenses, where it may be difficult to maintain exact chart alignment.

Norman Koren’s Google TechTalk, Image Quality Measurement: Real world challenges, is now available online. For a clearer view of the image quality factors, download the the Presentation (PDF format) (2.8 MB). (more…)

RAW files are supported for a large number of digital cameras using Dave Coffin’s dcraw program. Files are converted with minimal signal processing— no sharpening or noise reduction. This allows the true performance of cameras and the behavior of raw converters to be analyzed.

Chromatic Aberration is now measured as percentage of the distance from the image center. This is an improvement over area in pixels because CA tends to be proportional to that distance. (more…)

Greatly expands noise and dynamic range calculations in Q-13 Stepchart and noise calculations in Colorcheck. Noise measurements in f-stops have been added to both programs. These are relative measurements, which correspond closely to the workings of the eye. Q-13 Stepchart now calculates total dynamic range (using a more sensitive detection algorithm) as well as noise-limited dynamic ranges for several quality levels. Colorcheck now includes noise measurements for the third Colorchecker row, which includes Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, Magenta, and Cyan.

In evaluation mode, multiple region SFR runs now count as two runs (even if more than two regions are selected).

Boulder, Colorado
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September 3, 2004 -Imatest LLC announces the release of Imatest 1.0, a software package that measures the sharpness and image quality of digital camera images and digitized film images using inexpensive widely-available targets. Never before has it been possible for photographers to measure the performance of their cameras and lenses with such accuracy and convenience. You had to rely on subjective judgments or published test results. Now you can perform your own measurements, simply and easily, by photographing a target and analyzing the results with Imatest software. (more…)