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Sony NEX-5 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony NEX-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5N
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
  • Announced September 2018
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Sony NEX-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Sony NEX-5 versus Zeiss ZX1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Sony and Zeiss. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the NEX-5 (14MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the NEX-5 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) possess different sensor measurements.

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The NEX-5 was introduced 9 years before the ZX1 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the NEX-5 grades versus the ZX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Zeiss ZX1

 NEX-5 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony NEX-5

 ZX1 NEX-5 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018June 2010More modern 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-5 and Zeiss ZX1

 NEX-5 ZX1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Sony NEX-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-5 comes with external dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Zeiss ZX1 has dimensions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Sony NEX-5 versus Zeiss ZX1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the NEX-5 versus the ZX1.

Sony NEX-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-5 and ZX1 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Sony NEX-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes only by going through specifications. The picture here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5 and ZX1.

To sum up, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The NEX-5 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh tougher and the Zeiss ZX1 will show more detail using its extra 23 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony NEX-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography details
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
86
focusing manually
resolution is high (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Street photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography features
76
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
70
fully articulated screen
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Sports photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography factors
52
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
64
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
resolution is high (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-5
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
59
MP count good (14MP)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
65
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
resolution is high (37 megapixels)
very good maximum aperture (f2)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (800g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography highlights
68
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
69
focusing manually
very good maximum aperture (f2)
big screen (4.34 inches)
resolution is high (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Vlogging features
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging features
28
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic jack
31
very good maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen enabled
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of external mic port
heavier than competition (800 grams)
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Sony NEX-5 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Alpha NEX-5Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Brand Name Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-5 Zeiss ZX1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 7488 x 4992
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 25 255
Lens
Lens support Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Max aperture - f/2-22
Number of lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 4.34"
Display resolution 920k dot 2,765k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest 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
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format AVCHD 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 287 grams (0.63 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 69 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 796 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID 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
Pricing at launch $599 -