Panasonic ZS300 has a
20.0MP 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized MOS sensor and features Venus Engine processor. On the other hand, Canon SX160 IS has a
16.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 4 processor.
Below you can see the ZS300 and SX160 IS sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Panasonic ZS300 and Canon SX160 IS Cameras
As seen above, Panasonic ZS300 has a 4.1x Larger sensor area than Canon SX160 IS. 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
Panasonic ZS300
or the
Canon SX160 IS ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1″ versus 1/2.3-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.
