Sony RX1 has a
24.0MP Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Olympus XZ-2 iHS has a
12.0MP 1/1.7-inch (7.44 x 5.58 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Sony RX1's sensor provides 12MP more than Olympus XZ-2 iHS'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 RX1 and XZ-2 iHS sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony RX1 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS Cameras
As seen above, Sony RX1 has a 20.5x Larger sensor area than Olympus XZ-2 iHS. 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.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Sony RX1 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark 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. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, RX1 has scored 93, 44 points higher than XZ-2 iHS.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Sony RX1
93
25.1 bits
14.3 Evs
2534 ISO
Olympus XZ-2 iHS
49
20.4 bits
11.3 Evs
216 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
Sony RX1
or the
Olympus XZ-2 iHS ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(Full frame versus 1/1.7-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.
