With the advent of PC-based digital image processing systems, automation of parameter estimation based on intensity processing from the entire field has now become simpler. Various methods for obtaining the isoclinic parameter using plane, circular, and mixed polariscopes have been reported in the literature. A comparative study has been conducted on the performance of these methods both qualitatively and quantitatively. The focus of the study is on how these algorithms provide the basic isoclinic data. To illustrate the performance, theoretically simulated and experimentally recorded images for a ring under diametral compression is used. The role of background light intensity and quarter-wave plate mismatch on the experimental evaluation of isoclinic data is brought out. © IMechE 2006.