Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Zeiss ZX1

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Zeiss ZX1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Zeiss. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the SP-600 UZ (12MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the SP-600 UZ (1/2.3") and ZX1 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The SP-600 UZ was revealed 9 years prior to the ZX1 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-600 UZ being a Compact camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SP-600 UZ scores versus the ZX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SP-600 UZ & Zeiss ZX1. The full galleries are available at Olympus SP-600 UZ Gallery & Zeiss ZX1 Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SP-600 UZ offers outside measurements of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") along with a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) and the Zeiss ZX1 has specifications of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Zeiss ZX1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SP-600 UZ and the ZX1.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-600 UZ and ZX1 is 69 and 67 respectively.

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading specs. The visual here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-600 UZ and ZX1.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SP-600 UZ using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Zeiss ZX1 will offer greater detail because of its extra 25MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The older SP-600 UZ is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.