By means of analyzing the evaluation system for the imaging performance of a visible imaging system,the minimum resolvable contrast (MRC) is put forw ard,which is used to assess the imaging performance along with the modulation transfer function (MTF).Based on the principle of measuring MRC and MTF,the apparatus of measuring MRC and MTF is designed and developed.The novel techn ique is presented which adopts two coincident integrating spheres to illuminate two sides of the target respectively and the different contrasts can be achieved by regulating the luminance in two integ rating spheres.The target wheel is designed to have the circular shape and be able to rotate.There are so me patterns on the wheel to meet the measurement of MRC and MTF.A series of experimental researches are implemented on the apparatus.Experimental results show that the errors of measuring the luminance are within ±0.3cd·m－2,the values of target luminance and background luminance are stable and have good rep eatability,which meet the design requirements.The imaging system with good imaging performance has lower MRC and higher MTF than that of poor imaging performance.The measurement of MRC and MTF can be ap plied to evaluate the imaging performance fully,quantitatively and effectively.