Canon G3 X has a
20.0MP 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features DIGIC 6 processor. On the other hand, Nikon 1 J5 has a
21.0MP 1' (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Expeed 5A processor.
One other difference between these two cameras that is worth mentioning is that Nikon 1 J5's sensor doesn't have an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the G3 X and J5 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon G3 X and Nikon 1 J5 Cameras
Canon G3 X and Nikon 1 J5 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Canon G3 X and Nikon 1 J5 sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that J5 has a better overall score of 65, 2 points higher compared to G3 X's score of 63.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Canon G3 X
63
21.4 bits
12.3 Evs
521 ISO
Nikon 1 J5
65
22.1 bits
12.0 Evs
479 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Canon G3 X
or the
Nikon 1 J5 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1″ versus 1'),
so compare them at the same framing rather than the same focal length.
Put the same focal length on the smaller sensor and it will show less depth of
field, not more, because it also crops tighter. The calculator shows the
full frame equivalent focal length for each body so you can match the framing.
