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Sony NEX-5T vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
79
Overall
66
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony NEX-5T vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5T
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5R
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
  • Released September 2018
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-5T vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Sony NEX-5T and Zeiss ZX1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Sony and Zeiss. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the NEX-5T (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the NEX-5T (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) offer different sensor sizing.

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The NEX-5T was launched 6 years prior to the ZX1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the NEX-5T scores against the ZX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 NEX-5T ZX1 
Selfie screen Take selfies

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

 ZX1 NEX-5T 
ReleasedSeptember 2018August 2013Newer by 61 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions4.34"3"Larger display (+1.34")
Display resolution2765k922kSharper display (+1843k dot)

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

 NEX-5T ZX1 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Sony NEX-5T vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Sony NEX-5T has external measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs) and the Zeiss ZX1 has proportions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Examine the Sony NEX-5T and Zeiss ZX1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the NEX-5T vs the ZX1.

Sony NEX-5T vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-5T and ZX1 is 89 and 67 respectively.

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

Sony NEX-5T vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing a spec sheet. The image here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-5T and ZX1.

Clearly, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-5T due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Zeiss ZX1 will produce extra detail utilizing its extra 21MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5T will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-5T vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5T vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5T
Portrait photography with Zeiss ZX1
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
86
manual focus
high megapixels (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5T Street photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography factors
80
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
provides focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
70
screen articulates
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
provides touch focus
above average high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5T as a Sports photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Sports photography camera
69
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
64
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
high megapixels (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
fixed focal length (35mm)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5T Travel photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography information
77
provides focus via touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse recording
65
connects via bluetooth
provides touch focus
high megapixels (37MP)
fast maximum aperture (f2)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (800g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5T Landscape photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography highlights
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
69
manual focus
fast maximum aperture (f2)
very good size screen (4.34 inch)
high megapixels (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony NEX-5T
Vlogging with Zeiss ZX1
73
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
provides face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lack of image stabilization
no mic jack
31
fast maximum aperture (f2)
has touchscreen
features face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (800 grams)
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Sony NEX-5T vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5T and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Alpha NEX-5TZeiss ZX1
General Information
Company Sony Zeiss
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5T Zeiss ZX1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-08-27 2018-09-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4912 x 3264 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 99 255
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Largest aperture - f/2-22
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 4.34 inch
Resolution of display 922 thousand dots 2,765 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (ISO100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x1080 (60p/60i/24p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 276g (0.61 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 59 x 39mm (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 score 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1015 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $400 -