One of the most frequent questions I’m emailed about is sensor/film format sizes and 35mm depth of field. Actually what seems to happen more often than not, is that I’m informed that I should build a PL adapter for the Canon 5Dmk2, because it has “35mm depth of field, and the GH1 doesn’t.” This is incorrect. I’m going to repeat this….

THIS IS INCORRECT.

The Canon 5Dmk2 uses a 135 sized sensor which is a 35mm STILL-photo format, the closest equivalent on the motion picture side is VistaVision. This is not the format used predominantly for mainstream motion picture and television production.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 sensor, while smaller than the Canon 5Dmk2, is much closer to the field of view/depth of field used in mainstream film and television. Take a look at this chart I created. All sensors/film formats sizes listed are to scale.

One more thing- the 4/3″ format is not roughly equivalent to 16mm. One could say that 2/3″ HD and 16mm film are similar, but it’s not accurate to also include 4/3. 4/3 is FOUR TIMES the size of 2/3″ HD. (22mm hypotenuse vs 11mm hypotenuse). See the chart for a visual representation or go to the original post for a larger chart at Hot Rod Cameras.