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Epson R-D1 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
75
Imaging
44
Features
20
Overall
34
Epson R-D1 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
79
Features
62
Overall
72

Epson R-D1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Epson R-D1
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 620g - 142 x 89 x 40mm
  • Released March 2004
  • Successor is Epson R-D1x
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Announced September 2018
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Epson R-D1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Epson R-D1 and Zeiss ZX1, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Epson and Zeiss. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the R-D1 (6MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the R-D1 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The R-D1 was announced 15 years prior to the ZX1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Epson R-D1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the R-D1 grades against the ZX1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Epson R-D1 over the Zeiss ZX1

 R-D1 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Epson R-D1

 ZX1 R-D1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018March 2004More recent by 177 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size4.34"2"Bigger screen (+2.34")
Screen resolution2765k235kSharper screen (+2530k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Epson R-D1 and Zeiss ZX1

 R-D1 ZX1 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Epson R-D1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Epson R-D1 comes with external dimensions of 142mm x 89mm x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") with a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) and the Zeiss ZX1 has dimensions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Epson R-D1 and Zeiss ZX1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the R-D1 and the ZX1.

Epson R-D1 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the R-D1 and ZX1 is 75 and 67 respectively.

Epson R-D1 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing technical specs. The photograph here might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the R-D1 and ZX1.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The R-D1 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Zeiss ZX1 will produce more detail with its extra 31 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The older R-D1 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Epson R-D1 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Epson R-D1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Epson R-D1 as a Portrait photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Portrait photography camera
50
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)
87
focusing manually
resolution is high (37MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Epson R-D1 Street photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography information
55
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (620g)
71
screen articulates
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
includes touch focus
good ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Epson R-D1
Sports photography with Zeiss ZX1
30
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have liveview
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
64
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
resolution is high (37MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
fixed focal length (35mm)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Epson R-D1
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
38
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (620g)
low MP (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
resolution is high (37MP)
good maximum aperture (f2)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (800g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Epson R-D1 as a Landscape photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Landscape photography camera
47
manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
70
focusing manually
good maximum aperture (f2)
very good size screen (4.34")
resolution is high (37 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Epson R-D1 Vlogging info
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging info
9
lack of video recording
31
good maximum aperture (f2)
screen is touchscreen
offers face detect focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (800g)
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Epson R-D1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Epson R-D1 and Zeiss ZX1
 Epson R-D1Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Brand Epson Zeiss
Model type Epson R-D1 Zeiss ZX1
Type Advanced Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2004-03-11 2018-09-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.6mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.7mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 37 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 3008 x 2000 7488 x 4992
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 255
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Largest aperture - f/2-22
Available lenses 59 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2 inch 4.34 inch
Display resolution 235 thousand dot 2,765 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 620g (1.37 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 142 x 89 x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer No Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD card 512GB internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $1,709 -