Nikon 1 AW1 has a
14.0MP 1-inch (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features EXPEED 3A processor. On the other hand, Panasonic GF3 has a
12.0MP Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Venus Engine FHD processor.
Below you can see the 1 AW1 and GF3 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon 1 AW1 and Panasonic GF3 Cameras
As seen above, Panasonic GF3 has a 1.9x Larger sensor area than Nikon 1 AW1. 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.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon 1 AW1 and Panasonic GF3 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, 1 AW1 has scored 51, 1 points higher than GF3.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon 1 AW1
51
20.2 bits
10.9 Evs
428 ISO
Panasonic GF3
50
20.6 bits
10.1 Evs
459 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
Nikon 1 AW1
or the
Panasonic GF3 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1-inch versus Four Thirds),
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.
