Abstract We have recently introduced a modification of the multiple signal classification method for synthetic aperture radar. This method incorporates a user-defined parameter, ϵ, that allows for tunable quantitative high-resolution imaging. However, this method requires relatively large single-to-noise ratios (SNR) to work effectively. Here, we first identify the fundamental mechanism in that method that produces high-resolution images. Then we introduce a modification to Kirchhoff Migration (KM) that uses the same mechanism to produce tunable, high-resolution images. This modified KM method can be applied to low SNR measurements. We show simulation results that demonstrate the features of this method.