Nikon D4 has a
16.0MP Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 3 processor. On the other hand, Pentax MX-1 has a
12.0MP 1/1.7-inch (7.44 x 5.58 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Below you can see the D4 and MX-1 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D4 and Pentax MX-1 Cameras
As seen above, Nikon D4 has a 20.7x Larger sensor area than Pentax MX-1. 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 D4 and Pentax MX-1 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, D4 has scored 89, 40 points higher than MX-1.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D4
89
24.7 bits
13.1 Evs
2965 ISO
Pentax MX-1
49
20.4 bits
11.3 Evs
208 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 D4
or the
Pentax MX-1 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(Full frame versus 1/1.7-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.
