Panasonic G10 has a
12.0MP Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Venus Engine HD II processor. On the other hand, Canon G12 has a
10.0MP 1/1.7-inch (7.44 x 5.58 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 4 processor.
Below you can see the G10 and G12 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Panasonic G10 and Canon G12 Cameras
As seen above, Panasonic G10 has a 5.4x Larger sensor area than Canon G12. 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 Panasonic G10 and Canon G12 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, G10 has scored 52, 5 points higher than G12.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Panasonic G10
52
21.2 bits
10.1 Evs
411 ISO
Canon G12
47
20.4 bits
11.2 Evs
161 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
Panasonic G10
or the
Canon G12 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(Four Thirds 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.
