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Pentax X-5 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Pentax X-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Released August 2012
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
  • Revealed September 2018
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Pentax X-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Pentax X-5 and Zeiss ZX1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Zeiss. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the X-5 (1/2.3") and ZX1 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor size.

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The X-5 was manufactured 7 years prior to the ZX1 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the X-5 matches up vs the ZX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Zeiss ZX1

 X-5 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Pentax X-5

 ZX1 X-5 
RevealedSeptember 2018August 2012Fresher by 74 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k460kSharper screen (+2305k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Zeiss ZX1

 X-5 ZX1 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Pentax X-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax X-5 has got physical dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has measurements of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X-5 and Zeiss ZX1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the X-5 versus the ZX1.

Pentax X-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and ZX1 is 65 and 67 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to see the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the X-5 and ZX1.

Clearly, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The X-5 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Zeiss ZX1 will give you extra detail due to its extra 21 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The older X-5 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax X-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography info
43
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
86
you can focus manually
great MP (37 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Street photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Street photography camera
50
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others in class (595g)
70
screen articulates fully
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
provides focus via touch
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than average (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography details
52
long zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
64
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
great MP (37MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
can't change focal length (35mm)
low fps (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography information
53
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (22mm)
very long reach (580mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (595 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
65
has bluetooth
provides focus via touch
great MP (37MP)
fast maximum aperture (f2)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (800 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography features
47
has manual focus
really wide (22mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
69
you can focus manually
fast maximum aperture (f2)
very good size screen (4.34 inch)
great MP (37 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Vlogging camera
26
really wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
heavier than others in class (595g)
31
fast maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen enabled
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than average (800 grams)
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Pentax X-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Zeiss ZX1
 Pentax X-5Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Make Pentax Zeiss
Model Pentax X-5 Zeiss ZX1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Released 2012-08-22 2018-09-27
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 37MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 7488 x 4992
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 255
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2-22
Macro focus range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 4.34"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 2,765 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dots 6,221 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash settings - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595g (1.31 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC 512GB internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $230 -