Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1
74 Imaging
67 Features
84 Overall
73


67 Imaging
78 Features
62 Overall
71
Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
- Announced October 2019
(Full Review)
- 37MP - Full frame Sensor
- 4.34" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 80 - 51200
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 35mm (F2-22) lens
- 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
- Released September 2018

Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview
On this page, we are looking at the Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Zeiss. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) posses different sensor sizes.

The Z50 was unveiled 13 months after the ZX1 making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-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 short view of how the Z50 scores versus the ZX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Z50 & Zeiss ZX1. The full galleries are available at Nikon Z50 Gallery & Zeiss ZX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Zeiss ZX1
Z50 | ZX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2019 | ![]() | September 2018 | Newer by 13 months |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Nikon Z50
ZX1 | Z50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Display dimensions | 4.34" | ![]() | 3.2" | Larger display (+1.14") |
Display resolution | 2765k | ![]() | 1040k | Clearer display (+1725k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Zeiss ZX1
Z50 | ZX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 has exterior measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Zeiss ZX1 has measurements of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the Z50 vs the ZX1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and ZX1 is 74 and 67 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and ZX1.
Clearly, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The Z50 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Zeiss ZX1 will show greater detail having an extra 16 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The younger Z50 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications
Nikon Z50 | Zeiss ZX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Zeiss |
Model type | Nikon Z50 | Zeiss ZX1 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2019-10-10 | 2018-09-27 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed 6 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 36 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 864.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 21MP | 37MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 7488 x 4992 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 51200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 204800 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 209 | 255 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon Z | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 35mm (1x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/2-22 |
Amount of lenses | 15 | - |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 3.2" | 4.34" |
Resolution of display | 1,040k dot | 2,765k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dot | 6,221k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 11.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | - | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 397 gr (0.88 lbs) | 800 gr (1.76 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") | 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | ||
Battery life | 320 photos | - |
Type of battery | Built-in | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL25 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) | 512GB internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $857 | - |