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Sony A290 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony A290 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Revealed September 2018
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Sony A290 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Sony A290 versus Zeiss ZX1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Sony and Zeiss. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the A290 (14MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the A290 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The A290 was brought out 9 years earlier than the ZX1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a concise view of how the A290 scores vs the ZX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Zeiss ZX1

 A290 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony A290

 ZX1 A290 
RevealedSeptember 2018June 2010More recent by 101 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions4.34"2.7"Larger display (+1.64")
Display resolution2765k230kSharper display (+2535k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A290 and Zeiss ZX1

 A290 ZX1 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Sony A290 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A290 provides exterior measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Zeiss ZX1 has dimensions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A290 versus Zeiss ZX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the A290 compared to the ZX1.

Sony A290 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and ZX1 is 66 and 67 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements only by viewing specs. The photograph here should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A290 and ZX1.

All in all, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A290 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Zeiss ZX1 will provide you with greater detail having its extra 23 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics more aggressively. The older A290 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A290 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography advice
65
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
86
has manual focus
fantastic megapixels (37 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Street photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
70
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
above average high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Sports photography camera
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery power (290 shots)
64
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
fantastic megapixels (37 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
fixed focal length (35mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Travel photography camera
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
fantastic megapixels (37MP)
fast maximum aperture (f2)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (800 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography advice
58
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
69
has manual focus
fast maximum aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34 inch)
fantastic megapixels (37MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
31
fast maximum aperture (f2)
built-in touchscreen
supports face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
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Sony A290 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Make Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Zeiss ZX1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-06-09 2018-09-27
Physical type Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 3200 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 255
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Maximal aperture - f/2-22
Available lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7 inches 4.34 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 2,765 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549 grams (1.21 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 615 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC 512GB internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $600 -