Both Canon SD960 IS and Samsung HZ15W have 1/2.3-inch sized 12.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.
Below you can see the SD960 IS and HZ15W sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon SD960 IS and Samsung HZ15W Cameras
Canon SD960 IS and Samsung HZ15W have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
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 SD960 IS
or the
Samsung HZ15W ,
including hyperfocal distance.
