DXOMARK

The DXOMARK Sensor Score measures several important image quality metrics of the RAW image captured by a camera's sensor. The overall score is a confidential combination of three sub-scores:

• Color Depth, measured in bits, called a Portrait score
• Dynamic Range, measured in stops of dynamic range, called a Landscape score
• Low-light performance, measured in an ISO equivalent, called a Sports score

Another metric, the Perceptual MegaPixel (P-MPix) is used to rate the resolution a camera produces when paired to a particular lens.[7] DXOMARK claims that P-MPix is a more accurate and relevant value for photographers to consider than alternate measures of sharpness when evaluating camera and lens image quality.[8][9][10][11] As of December 2015, the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens mounted on a Canon EOS 5DS R has the highest measured P-MPix (45 P-Mpix), followed by the Carl Zeiss APO Sonnar T* 2/135 ZE (41 P-Mpix on Canon EOS 5DS R and 36 P-Mpix on Nikon D800E).[12]

DXOMARK data has been used to plot the progress of sensor image quality and low-light sensitivity versus price over the years, as well as the impact of sensor size and resolution.[13] More recently, DXOMARK has also evaluated drone cameras for image quality.[14]

DXOMARK also provides lens ratings, as tested using its proprietary toolset in combination with various camera models.[15][16][17]

As smartphones began to overtake point-and-shoot cameras,[18] DXOMARK began testing smartphones and other mobile devices in 2011 and introduced DXOMARK Mobile in 2012.[19] A major update was made in September 2017, adding tests designed to stress the capabilities of current-model smartphones such as lower-light shooting, telephoto zoom, depth effect, and bokeh.[20] In September, 2019, the Mobile score was renamed DXOMARK CAMERA.[21]

DXOMARK Camera Overall Score is the headline number reported for each tested device, and consists of a proprietary combination of DXOMARK Camera Photo and DXOMARK Camera Video category scores.

DXOMARK's Camera Photo score is a proprietary combination of nine category sub-scores:

• Exposure and contrast
• Color
• Autofocus
• Texture
• Noise
• Artifacts
• Night (enhanced from Flash, September, 2019)[22]
• Zoom
• Bokeh[23]
• Wide (added September, 2019)[21]

DXOMARK's Camera Video score includes six of the same Sub-scores as DXOMARK's Mobile Photo score (Exposure, Color, Autofocus, Texture, Noise, and Artifacts), along with Stabilization.

DXOMARK's tests are conducted by the company's technical staff under a variety of lighting conditions, ranging from low-light 1 Lux to bright daylight outdoors.[24]

Sub-scores are combined using a proprietary and confidential mapping into an overall score. Tests are also confined to default modes, except for Zoom and Bokeh, which has caused reviewers to be cautious when using them.[25]

As of 22 January 2019, DXOMARK has started testing the front-facing (selfie) cameras on smartphones.[26] Selfie tests are done for both Photo and Video. For Photo there are sub-scores for Exposure, Color, Focus, Texture, Noise, Artifacts, Flash, and Bokeh. For Video, sub-scores include Exposure, Color, Focus, Texture, Noise, Artifacts, and Stabilization.[27]

In October, 2019 DXOMARK introduced a new Audio benchmark for smartphones. Phones are tested for playback using their speakers, and for recording using their built-in microphones. Tested categories include:

• Timbre (frequency response, treble/midrange/bass, total balance, volume dependency)
• Dynamics (attack, bass precision, punch, volume dependency)
• Spatial (wideness, balance, distance, localization)
• Volume (maximum, minimum, user volume consistency)
• Artifacts (noise, pumping, clipping, user artifacts, other artifacts)
• For Recoding only: Background (directivity, noise profile, artifacts)[28][29]

Users can select several devices of the same class and have the site display a comparison of their test scores and graphical versions of the actual test data.[30][31]

Analyzer is a suite of software tools published by DXOMARK, that includes test targets and test equipment . Its is used by camera companies as well as press publications and websites to test sensors, lenses, and standalone cameras, as well as mobile devices with cameras. Testing can be performed on both RAW and JPEG images, as well as video. Analyzer is also the analysis engine behind DXOMARK.com[32][33][34] Results can be displayed either numerically or graphically.[35] Originally introduced by DxO Labs, Analyzer is now a product of DXOMARK, which has been spun out from DxO.[36][37]

Analyzer includes modules for testing optics, sensors, stabilization, video, timing, and 3D features.[38]

DXOMARK ratings are often used by the press to describe the image quality characteristics of their cameras and mobile devices.[24][39][40][41] High DXOMARK Camera ratings have also been featured as hallmarks of quality in vendor announcements[42] and marketing materials[43], although reviewers are careful to note that the ratings only reflect image quality.[44][45][46] DXOMARK also provides consulting services to hardware manufacturers, related to image quality.[47][48]

• Official website
• Analyzer Web site
• DXOMARK IMAGE LABS