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Sony NEX-3 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony NEX-3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-C3
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
  • Announced September 2018
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Sony NEX-3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Sony NEX-3 versus Zeiss ZX1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Sony and Zeiss. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the NEX-3 (14MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the NEX-3 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The NEX-3 was announced 9 years earlier than the ZX1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the NEX-3 matches up versus the ZX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Zeiss ZX1

 NEX-3 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony NEX-3

 ZX1 NEX-3 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018June 2010Fresher by 101 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimension4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k920kSharper screen (+1845k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-3 and Zeiss ZX1

 NEX-3 ZX1 
Manually focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Sony NEX-3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony NEX-3 comes with external dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs) whilst the Zeiss ZX1 has sizing of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Sony NEX-3 versus Zeiss ZX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the NEX-3 versus the ZX1.

Sony NEX-3 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-3 and ZX1 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Sony NEX-3 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing simply by looking at specifications. The photograph underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-3 and ZX1.

Plainly, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The NEX-3 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Zeiss ZX1 will resolve extra detail with its extra 23 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older NEX-3 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-3 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
Portrait photography with Zeiss ZX1
72
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
86
focusing manually
sensor resolution is amazing (37 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Street photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography highlights
76
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
70
screen articulates
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
provides touch to focus
good high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Sports photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography info
52
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
64
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is amazing (37MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
59
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
65
supports bluetooth
provides touch to focus
sensor resolution is amazing (37 megapixels)
good maximum aperture (f2)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (800 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Landscape photography camera
68
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
69
focusing manually
good maximum aperture (f2)
bigger than average screen (4.34 inch)
sensor resolution is amazing (37 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Vlogging highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging highlights
27
supports face detection focus
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
31
good maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic jack
heavier than competition (800g)
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Sony NEX-3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Alpha NEX-3Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Zeiss
Model Sony Alpha NEX-3 Zeiss ZX1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-06-07 2018-09-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 37 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 7488 x 4992
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 25 255
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Maximum aperture - f/2-22
Number of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 4.34 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dot 2,765k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 297 gr (0.65 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 68 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 830 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $0 -