Embodiments relate to systems and methods for dynamic sharpness control in system using binary to continuous tone conversion. Image data can be processed in the image path of a copier, printer, or other device to enhance sharpness based on user settings. The image can originate in a high-resolution and/or high-color format. The user can select sharpness values to provide better rendered detail. A front-end high-pass 2D filter can be adjusted in response to the settings. A binarized version of the image data is produced in the downstream path. At the back of the image path, the image would conventionally be sent through a binary data to extended contone (BDEC) low-pass filter, set to a fixed level, to produce contone output, counteracting the user's sharpness settings. Instead of applying a fixed back-end filter, that stage can be dynamically adjusted to correspond to the user's sharpness settings, reducing the low-pass effect proportionately.