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Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83
Sony Alpha A99 II front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Succeeded the Sony A99
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
  • Introduced September 2018
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Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Sony and Zeiss. The resolution of the A99 II (42MP) and the ZX1 (37MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The A99 II was manufactured 24 months before the ZX1 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the A99 II matches up vs the ZX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Zeiss ZX1

 A99 II ZX1 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony A99 II

 ZX1 A99 II 
IntroducedSeptember 2018September 2016More modern by 24 months
Screen dimension4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k1229kSharper screen (+1536k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A99 II and Zeiss ZX1

 A99 II ZX1 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully articulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen

Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Sony A99 II features outer measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs) whilst 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).

Examine the Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the A99 II and the ZX1.

Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A99 II and ZX1 is 57 and 67 respectively.

Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes merely by seeing technical specs. The picture below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A99 II and ZX1.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony A99 II to produce greater detail due to its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged A99 II will be behind in sensor technology.

Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A99 II Portrait photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography advice
86
manual focus
MP count great (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
86
you can focus manually
megapixel count fantastic (37MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A99 II Street photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography info
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
good ISO range (25,600)
70
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
great high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A99 II Sports photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography information
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (490 per charge)
64
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count fantastic (37 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
fixed focal length (35mm)
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A99 II as a Travel photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Travel photography camera
70
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
MP count great (42MP)
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery pack (490 shots)
65
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch focus
megapixel count fantastic (37MP)
great max aperture (f2)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (800g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A99 II Landscape photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography factors
82
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery pack (490 CIPA)
69
you can focus manually
great max aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34 inch)
megapixel count fantastic (37MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A99 II Vlogging details
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging details
78
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone jack
31
great max aperture (f2)
built-in touchscreen
provides face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
does not have microphone support
more heavy than competitors (800g)
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Sony A99 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A99 II and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Alpha A99 IIZeiss ZX1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony Alpha A99 II Zeiss ZX1
Class Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2016-09-19 2018-09-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 42MP 37MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 7952 x 5304 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 399 255
Cross type focus points 79 -
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Maximum aperture - f/2-22
Available lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of display Fully articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 4.34 inches
Display resolution 1,229k dots 2,765k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots 6,221k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 849g (1.87 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 92 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2317 not tested
Other
Battery life 490 pictures -
Battery style NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots 512GB internal
Card slots Dual Single
Retail cost $3,198 -