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Sony A390 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony A390 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A380
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
  • Revealed September 2018
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Sony A390 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Sony A390 and Zeiss ZX1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Sony and Zeiss. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the A390 (14MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the A390 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) have different sensor dimensions.

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The A390 was revealed 9 years earlier than the ZX1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick view of how the A390 matches up against the ZX1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Zeiss ZX1

 A390 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony A390

 ZX1 A390 
RevealedSeptember 2018July 2010More modern by 99 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display size4.34"2.7"Larger display (+1.64")
Display resolution2765k230kClearer display (+2535k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A390 and Zeiss ZX1

 A390 ZX1 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Sony A390 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Sony A390 has got physical dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has specifications 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 A390 and Zeiss ZX1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the A390 vs the ZX1.

Sony A390 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A390 and ZX1 is 66 and 67 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing specifications. The image below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A390 and ZX1.

To sum up, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A390 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Zeiss ZX1 will provide you with more detail because of its extra 23MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged A390 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A390 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A390 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 Portrait photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography info
72
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
86
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is amazing (37 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A390 Street photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography info
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
70
screen articulates
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
features touch to focus
very good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (800g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Sports photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
bad battery power (230 per charge)
64
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is amazing (37 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 Travel photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography factors
53
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery power (230 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
supports bluetooth
features touch to focus
sensor resolution is amazing (37 megapixels)
very good max aperture (f2)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (800 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A390
Landscape photography with Zeiss ZX1
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
bad battery power (230 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
69
you can focus manually
very good max aperture (f2)
bigger than average screen (4.34 inches)
sensor resolution is amazing (37MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A390 Vlogging information
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging information
9
no video
31
very good max aperture (f2)
screen is touchscreen
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic port
heavier than competition in class (800 grams)
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Sony A390 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Company Sony Zeiss
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Zeiss ZX1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-07-28 2018-09-27
Body design Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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 files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 255
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture - f/2-22
Total lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7" 4.34"
Screen resolution 230k dot 2,765k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs -
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 None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549 grams (1.21 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
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 score 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 607 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo 512GB internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $500 -