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Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
74
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73
Nikon Z50 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(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
Zeiss ZX1
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Zeiss ZX1

 Z50 ZX1 
ReleasedOctober 2019September 2018Newer by 13 months
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Nikon Z50

 ZX1 Z50 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions4.34"3.2"Larger display (+1.14")
Display resolution2765k1040kClearer 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

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

Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography advice
80
focusing manually
MP count good (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
86
you can focus manually
amazing resolution (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography information
72
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
features focus via touch
weather sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (397g)
70
fully articulated screen
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
very good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Zeiss ZX1
75
MP count good (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
no image stabilization
64
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
amazing resolution (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography advice
77
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
features focus via touch
MP count good (21 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors in class (397g)
65
connects via bluetooth
has touch focus
amazing resolution (37 megapixels)
very good maximum aperture (f2)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (800g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z50
Landscape photography with Zeiss ZX1
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
MP count good (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
no image stabilization
69
you can focus manually
very good maximum aperture (f2)
big screen (4.34 inches)
amazing resolution (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging info
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging info
71
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic support
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (397 grams)
31
very good maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen functionality
has face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition in class (800g)
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Nikon Z50 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Zeiss ZX1
 Nikon Z50Zeiss 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 -