Both Panasonic ZS50 and Canon SX50 HS have 12.0 MP resolution sensors but Panasonic ZS50's sensor is 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ).
Since Canon SX50 HS's has a larger sensor area with the same resolution, this means that it also has a larger pixel area hence better light collecting capacity for a given aperture compared to Panasonic ZS50.
Below you can see the ZS50 and SX50 HS sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Panasonic ZS50 and Canon SX50 HS Cameras
Panasonic ZS50 and Canon SX50 HS 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.
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. Panasonic ZS50 and Canon SX50 HS sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that SX50 HS has a better overall score of 47, 3 points higher compared to ZS50's score of 44.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Panasonic ZS50
44
20.0 bits
11.2 Evs
138 ISO
Canon SX50 HS
47
20.3 bits
11.2 Evs
179 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 ZS50
or the
Canon SX50 HS ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
( 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.
