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Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5R
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 NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Here is a complete comparison of the Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Sony and Zeiss. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the NEX-5N (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the NEX-5N (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The NEX-5N was manufactured 8 years prior to the ZX1 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the NEX-5N grades vs the ZX1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Zeiss ZX1

 NEX-5N ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony NEX-5N

 ZX1 NEX-5N 
RevealedSeptember 2018October 2011Fresher by 85 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display size4.34"3"Larger display (+1.34")
Display resolution2765k920kSharper display (+1845k dot)

Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Zeiss ZX1

 NEX-5N ZX1 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera often, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony NEX-5N has exterior dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Zeiss ZX1 has measurements of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the NEX-5N against the ZX1.

Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5N and ZX1 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The visual here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-5N and ZX1.

Clearly, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The NEX-5N because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Zeiss ZX1 will give extra detail due to its extra 21MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos way more aggressively. The older NEX-5N is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography factors
73
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
86
manual focus
sensor resolution is excellent (37MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony NEX-5N
Street photography with Zeiss ZX1
80
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
comes with touch focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
70
screen articulates
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Sports photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography info
58
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
64
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is excellent (37 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers 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 autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-5N
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
70
good battery pack (460 shots)
comes with touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
65
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
sensor resolution is excellent (37MP)
fast maximum aperture (f2)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (800g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography highlights
71
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (460 CIPA)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
69
manual focus
fast maximum aperture (f2)
bigger than average screen (4.34 inches)
sensor resolution is excellent (37MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Vlogging factors
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging factors
33
screen is touchscreen
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
31
fast maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (800g)
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Sony NEX-5N vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NZeiss ZX1
General Information
Company Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-5N Zeiss ZX1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-10-03 2018-09-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4912 x 3264 7488 x 4992
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 25 255
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Maximum aperture - f/2-22
Amount of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 4.34 inch
Screen resolution 920k dots 2,765k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Physical 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 Overall rating 77 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1079 not tested
Other
Battery life 460 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $550 -