Nikon S5100 has a
12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Expeed C2 processor. On the other hand, Panasonic AW-UB10 has a
10.2MP Four Thirds (19 x 13mm ) sized MOS sensor .
Below you can see the S5100 and AW-UB10 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon S5100 and Panasonic AW-UB10 Cameras
As seen above, Panasonic AW-UB10 has a 8.8x Larger sensor area than Nikon S5100. 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
Nikon S5100
or the
Panasonic AW-UB10 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1/2.3-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.
