Olympus XZ-1 has a
10.0MP 1/1.63-inch (8.07 x 5.56 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features TruePic V 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 XZ-1 and MX-1 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax MX-1 Cameras
Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax MX-1 have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the 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. Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax MX-1 sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that MX-1 has a better overall score of 49, 15 points higher compared to XZ-1's score of 34.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Olympus XZ-1
34
18.8 bits
10.4 Evs
117 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
Olympus XZ-1
or the
Pentax MX-1 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1/1.63-inch 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.
