The images obtained by the HRSC (High Resolution Stereo Camera) on Mars Express show excellent potential for topographic mapping of the planet. The derived stereo models agree with topographic data obtained earlier by MOLA (Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter) on the Mars Global Surveyor: For the image scenes from the Mars-Express commissioning phase that were studied, we find absolute differences in heights as small as 50 m and lateral positional differences along MOLA tracks of about 100 m. We show that HRSC effectively fills the gaps left between the MOLA tracks. SRC (Super Resolution Channel) images are well placed at their nominal geometric positions and reveal further detail within the HRSC context images. However, many of the images, fall short of the expected image quality for reasons to be examined. © 2004 International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. All rights reserved.