Panasonic ZS60 has a
18.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Venus Engine processor. On the other hand, Panasonic ZS50 has a
12.0MP (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Panasonic ZS60's sensor provides 6MP more than Panasonic ZS50's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the ZS60 and ZS50 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Panasonic ZS60 and Panasonic ZS50 Cameras
Panasonic ZS60 and Panasonic ZS50 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 Panasonic ZS50 has 49% larger pixel area (2.34µm 2 vs 1.56µm 2 ) compared to Panasonic ZS60, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
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 ZS60 and Panasonic ZS50 sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that ZS50 has a better overall score of 44, 7 points higher compared to ZS60's score of 37.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Panasonic ZS60
37
19.3 bits
10.6 Evs
109 ISO
Panasonic ZS50
44
20.0 bits
11.2 Evs
138 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 ZS60
or the
Panasonic ZS50 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1/2.3-inch versus ),
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.
