Sony RX1R has a
24.0MP Full frame (35.8 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Panasonic ZS100 has a
20.0MP 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized MOS sensor and features Venus Engine processor.
Another difference between these two cameras is that Sony RX1R's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the RX1R and ZS100 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony RX1R and Panasonic ZS100 Cameras
As seen above, Sony RX1R has a 7.4x Larger sensor area than Panasonic ZS100. 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 RX1R and Panasonic ZS100 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, RX1R has scored 91, 21 points higher than ZS100.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Sony RX1R
91
25.0 bits
13.6 Evs
2537 ISO
Panasonic ZS100
70
22.8 bits
12.5 Evs
559 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 RX1R
or the
Panasonic ZS100 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(Full frame versus 1″ ),
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.
