Nikon D3S has a
12.0MP Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor. On the other hand, Panasonic G5 has a
16.0MP Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Venus Engine VII FHD processor.
Below you can see the D3S and G5 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D3S and Panasonic G5 Cameras
As seen above, Nikon D3S has a 3.8x Larger sensor area than Panasonic G5. 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 D3S and Panasonic G5 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, D3S has scored 82, 21 points higher than G5.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D3S
82
23.5 bits
12.0 Evs
3253 ISO
Panasonic G5
61
21.4 bits
11.6 Evs
618 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 D3S
or the
Panasonic G5 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(Full frame 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.
