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, Panasonic GX8 has a
20.0MP Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Venus Engine processor.
Below you can see the A99 and GX8 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony A99 and Panasonic GX8 Cameras
As seen above, Sony A99 has a 3.8x Larger sensor area than Panasonic GX8. 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 A99 and Panasonic GX8 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, 14 points higher than GX8.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Sony A99
89
25.0 bits
14.0 Evs
1555 ISO
Panasonic GX8
75
23.5 bits
12.6 Evs
806 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
Panasonic GX8 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(Full frame 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.
