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Sony A7S vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65
Sony Alpha A7S front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
79
Features
62
Overall
72

Sony A7S vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Refreshed by Sony A7S II
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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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Sony A7S vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Sony A7S and Zeiss ZX1, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Sony and Zeiss. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the A7S (12MP) and ZX1 (37MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

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The A7S was manufactured 5 years before the ZX1 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the A7S grades vs the ZX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Zeiss ZX1

 A7S ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony A7S

 ZX1 A7S 
ReleasedSeptember 2018April 2014Newer by 54 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen sizing4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k1230kCrisper screen (+1535k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A7S and Zeiss ZX1

 A7S ZX1 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sony A7S vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Sony A7S features external measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs) and the Zeiss ZX1 has specifications of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Sony A7S and Zeiss ZX1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the A7S against the ZX1.

Sony A7S vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A7S and ZX1 is 77 and 67 respectively.

Sony A7S vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7S vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by going over a spec sheet. The pic below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A7S and ZX1.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Zeiss ZX1 to offer you more detail due to its extra 25MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged A7S is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A7S vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A7S vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7S Portrait photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography information
68
focusing manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
87
focusing manually
amazing MP (37MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7S Street photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography advice
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
lighter than competition (489 grams)
good ISO range (409,600)
lack of image stabilization
71
screen articulates fully
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A7S
Sports photography with Zeiss ZX1
52
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery (360 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
64
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
amazing MP (37 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
fixed focal length (35mm)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7S Travel photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography factors
58
lighter than competition (489 grams)
environment proof
not so great battery (360 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
65
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
amazing MP (37MP)
fast maximum aperture (f2)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (800g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7S Landscape photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography details
66
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good ISO range (409,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (360 CIPA)
70
focusing manually
fast maximum aperture (f2)
bigger than average screen (4.34")
amazing MP (37 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7S Vlogging highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging highlights
34
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic jack
lighter than competition (489 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
31
fast maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen capability
provides face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than others in class (800g)
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Sony A7S vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7S and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Alpha A7SZeiss ZX1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony Alpha A7S Zeiss ZX1
Type Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-04-06 2018-09-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.9mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 37 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4240 x 2832 7488 x 4992
Highest native ISO 409600 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 255
Lens
Lens support Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Maximal aperture - f/2-22
Amount of lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 4.34"
Resolution of display 1,230k dots 2,765k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots 6,221k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 489 gr (1.08 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 87 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3702 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $1,998 -