Nikon D2Xs has a
12.0MP APS-C (23.7 x 15.7 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Nikon D4 has a
16.0MP Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 3 processor.
Below you can see the D2Xs and D4 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D2Xs and Nikon D4 Cameras
As seen above, Nikon D4 has a 2.3x Larger sensor area than Nikon D2Xs. 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
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It 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. Nikon D2Xs and Nikon D4 sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that D4 has a better overall score of 89, 30 points higher compared to D2Xs's score of 59.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D2Xs
59
22.2 bits
10.9 Evs
489 ISO
Nikon D4
89
24.7 bits
13.1 Evs
2965 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 D2Xs
or the
Nikon D4 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(APS-C versus Full frame),
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.
