Panasonic ZS15 has a
12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Nikon D40X has a
10.0MP APS-C (23.7 x 15.6 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Expeed processor.
Below you can see the ZS15 and D40X sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Panasonic ZS15 and Nikon D40X Cameras
As seen above, Nikon D40X has a 13.2x Larger sensor area than Panasonic ZS15. 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 ZS15
or the
Nikon D40X ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1/2.3-inch versus APS-C),
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.
