Fujifilm X100S has a
16.0MP APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm ) sized CMOS X-TRANS II sensor and features EXR II processor. On the other hand, Panasonic ZS40 has a
18.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Venus Engine processor.
Another difference between these two cameras is that Fujifilm X100S's sensor lacks 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 X100S and ZS40 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Fujifilm X100S and Panasonic ZS40 Cameras
As seen above, Fujifilm X100S has a 13.3x Larger sensor area than Panasonic ZS40. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in 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
Fujifilm X100S
or the
Panasonic ZS40 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(APS-C versus 1/2.3-inch),
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.
