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Sigma SD9 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
54
Imaging
38
Features
27
Overall
33
Sigma SD9 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
77
Features
62
Overall
71

Sigma SD9 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Introduced November 2002
  • Updated by Sigma SD10
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
  • Launched September 2018
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Sigma SD9 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Sigma SD9 versus Zeiss ZX1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Sigma and Zeiss. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the SD9 (3MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the SD9 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) use different sensor dimensions.

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The SD9 was unveiled 17 years prior to the ZX1 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sigma SD9 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SD9 grades versus the ZX1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Zeiss ZX1

 SD9 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sigma SD9

 ZX1 SD9 
LaunchedSeptember 2018November 2002More modern by 192 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing4.34"1.8"Bigger screen (+2.54")
Screen resolution2765k130kSharper screen (+2635k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sigma SD9 and Zeiss ZX1

 SD9 ZX1 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sigma SD9 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Sigma SD9 features exterior measurements of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") and a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has specifications of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Sigma SD9 versus Zeiss ZX1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SD9 versus the ZX1.

Sigma SD9 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SD9 and ZX1 is 54 and 67 respectively.

Sigma SD9 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sigma SD9 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing specifications. The pic here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SD9 and ZX1.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SD9 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Zeiss ZX1 will offer you extra detail having an extra 34MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged SD9 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sigma SD9 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sigma SD9 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma SD9 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma SD9 Portrait photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography information
46
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution low (3 megapixels)
86
has manual focus
megapixel count high (37MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sigma SD9 Street photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography highlights
43
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (950 grams)
low max ISO (400)
70
screen articulates
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
has touch to focus
very good high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sigma SD9 as a Sports photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Sports photography camera
35
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (3 megapixels)
lack of phase detect autofocus
63
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count high (37 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sigma SD9
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
29
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (950g)
sensor resolution low (3MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
65
supports bluetooth
has touch to focus
megapixel count high (37 megapixels)
very good maximum aperture (f2)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (800 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma SD9 Landscape photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography highlights
40
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (1.8 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (3MP)
low max ISO (400)
lack of Time Lapse mode
69
has manual focus
very good maximum aperture (f2)
screen larger than average (4.34 inches)
megapixel count high (37MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD9 Vlogging info
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging info
9
no video
31
very good maximum aperture (f2)
built-in touchscreen
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
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Sigma SD9 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma SD9 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sigma SD9Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Company Sigma Zeiss
Model type Sigma SD9 Zeiss ZX1
Type Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2002-11-26 2018-09-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 20.7 x 13.8mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 285.7mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 3MP 37MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 2268 x 1512 7488 x 4992
Highest native ISO 400 51200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 255
Lens
Lens mount type Sigma SA fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Largest aperture - f/2-22
Amount of lenses 76 -
Focal length multiplier 1.7 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 1.8 inch 4.34 inch
Screen resolution 130k dot 2,765k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dot
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.77x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options - no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
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 data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) 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 950 gr (2.09 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") 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 Yes (10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash Type I or II 512GB internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $3,001 -