Sony RX100 VA has a
20.0MP 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized Stacked BSI-CMOS sensor and features Bionz X processor. On the other hand, Panasonic FS42 has a
10.0MP 1/2.5-inch (5.744 x 4.308 mm ) sized CCD sensor .
Sony RX100 VA's sensor provides 10MP more than Panasonic FS42'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 RX100 VA and FS42 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony RX100 VA and Panasonic FS42 Cameras
As seen above, Sony RX100 VA has a 4.7x Larger sensor area than Panasonic FS42. 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
Sony RX100 VA
or the
Panasonic FS42 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1″ versus 1/2.5-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.
