Panasonic ZS45 has a
16.0MP 1/2.33 (6.08 x 4.56 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Olympus Tough-3000 has a
12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.08 x 4.56 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features TruePic III processor.
Below you can see the ZS45 and Tough-3000 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Panasonic ZS45 and Olympus Tough-3000 Cameras
Panasonic ZS45 and Olympus Tough-3000 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Olympus Tough-3000 has 35% larger pixel area (2.35µm 2 vs 1.74µm 2 ) compared to Panasonic ZS45, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
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 ZS45
or the
Olympus Tough-3000 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1/2.33 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.
