Pentax ist DS2 has a
6.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm ) sized CCD sensor . On the other hand, Panasonic L1 has a
7.0MP Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Below you can see the ist DS2 and L1 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Pentax ist DS2 and Panasonic L1 Cameras
As seen above, Pentax ist DS2 has a 1.6x Larger sensor area than Panasonic L1. 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
Pentax ist DS2
or the
Panasonic L1 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(APS-C versus Four Thirds),
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.
