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Sony A7S II vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
68
Imaging
61
Features
76
Overall
67
Sony Alpha A7S II front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony A7S II vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony A7S II
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Bump to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 627g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2015
  • Superseded the Sony A7S
  • Replacement is Sony A7S III
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Introduced September 2018
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Sony A7S II vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Sony A7S II and Zeiss ZX1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Sony and Zeiss. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the A7S II (12MP) and ZX1 (37MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

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The A7S II was revealed 4 years prior to the ZX1 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7S II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the A7S II matches up versus the ZX1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7S II over the Zeiss ZX1

 A7S II ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony A7S II

 ZX1 A7S II 
IntroducedSeptember 2018October 2015Fresher by 36 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display sizing4.34"3"Larger display (+1.34")
Display resolution2765k1229kCrisper display (+1536k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A7S II and Zeiss ZX1

 A7S II ZX1 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony A7S II vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony A7S II has got physical dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") and a weight of 627 grams (1.38 lbs) and the Zeiss ZX1 has sizing of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Sony A7S II and Zeiss ZX1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the A7S II compared to the ZX1.

Sony A7S II vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the A7S II and ZX1 is 68 and 67 respectively.

Sony A7S II vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7S II vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking specifications. The visual here will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7S II and ZX1.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Zeiss ZX1 to resolve greater detail because of its extra 25MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The older A7S II is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A7S II vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A7S II vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7S II vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7S II Portrait photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography info
68
focusing manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
86
focusing manually
resolution is high (37 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A7S II Street photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography features
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
very good high ISO (102,400)
70
screen articulates fully
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
provides focus by touch
good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others in class (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7S II as a Sports photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Sports photography camera
58
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
low battery power (370 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
64
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
resolution is high (37MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
max fps low (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7S II Travel photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography highlights
49
weather proofing
low battery power (370 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
65
connects via bluetooth
provides focus by touch
resolution is high (37 megapixels)
good maximum aperture (f2)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (800 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A7S II
Landscape photography with Zeiss ZX1
71
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good high ISO (102,400)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
MP count low (12MP)
low battery power (370 shots)
69
focusing manually
good maximum aperture (f2)
bigger than average screen (4.34 inch)
resolution is high (37MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7S II as a Vlogging camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Vlogging camera
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
31
good maximum aperture (f2)
screen is touchscreen
provides face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no external mic jack
heavier than others in class (800g)
Photography Glossary

Sony A7S II vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7S II and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Alpha A7S IIZeiss ZX1
General Information
Company Sony Zeiss
Model Sony Alpha A7S II Zeiss ZX1
Category Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2015-10-12 2018-09-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 37 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4240 x 2832 7488 x 4992
Max native ISO 102400 51200
Max enhanced ISO 409600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 169 255
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Maximal aperture - f/2-22
Amount of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 4.34 inches
Display resolution 1,229k dot 2,765k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot 6,221k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p [60-100Mbps]), Full HD (1920 x 1080 @ 120p/60p/60i/30p/24p [50-100Mbps]), 720p (30p [16Mbps]) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 627 gr (1.38 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 85 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 2993 not tested
Other
Battery life 370 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $2,767 -