Canon SX50 HS has a
12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Digic 5 processor. On the other hand, Panasonic ZS60 has a
18.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Venus Engine processor.
Panasonic ZS60's sensor provides 6MP more than Canon SX50 HS's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the SX50 HS and ZS60 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS60 Cameras
Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS60 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. On the other hand, since Canon SX50 HS has 49% larger pixel area compared to Panasonic ZS60, it has potential to collect more light on pixel level hence have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS60 sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark 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. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, SX50 HS has scored 47, 10 points higher than ZS60.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Canon SX50 HS
47
20.3 bits
11.2 Evs
179 ISO
Panasonic ZS60
37
19.3 bits
10.6 Evs
109 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 SX50 HS
or the
Panasonic ZS60 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
