Sony A99 has a
24.0MP Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Bionz processor. On the other hand, Canon 1D X has a
18.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Dual Digic 5+ processor.
Sony A99's sensor provides 6MP more than Canon 1D X'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 A99 and 1D X sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony A99 and Canon 1D X Cameras
Sony A99 and Canon 1D X have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Sony A99 and Canon 1D X 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, A99 has scored 89, 7 points higher than 1D X.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Sony A99
89
25.0 bits
14.0 Evs
1555 ISO
Canon 1D X
82
23.8 bits
11.8 Evs
2786 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 A99
or the
Canon 1D X ,
including hyperfocal distance.
