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Sony NEX-C3 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony NEX-C3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-F3
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
  • Revealed September 2018
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Sony NEX-C3 and Zeiss ZX1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Sony and Zeiss. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the NEX-C3 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor size.

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The NEX-C3 was announced 8 years earlier than the ZX1 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the NEX-C3 grades versus the ZX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Zeiss ZX1

 NEX-C3 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony NEX-C3

 ZX1 NEX-C3 
RevealedSeptember 2018August 2011More recent by 86 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k920kSharper screen (+1845k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Zeiss ZX1

 NEX-C3 ZX1 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Sony NEX-C3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-C3 has outside measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has dimensions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Sony NEX-C3 and Zeiss ZX1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the NEX-C3 versus the ZX1.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-C3 and ZX1 is 91 and 67 respectively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements simply by seeing specifications. The graphic below may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-C3 and ZX1.

Plainly, the two cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The NEX-C3 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Zeiss ZX1 will show extra detail with its extra 21 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The older NEX-C3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-C3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography features
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
86
you can focus manually
MP count fantastic (37 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony NEX-C3
Street photography with Zeiss ZX1
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (225 grams)
does not have image stabilization
70
screen articulates fully
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
offers focus by touch
great ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography factors
53
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery power (400 shots)
low fps (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
64
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count fantastic (37MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-C3
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
71
good battery power (400 per charge)
lighter than competition (225g)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
65
has bluetooth
offers focus by touch
MP count fantastic (37MP)
great max aperture (f2)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (800 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography details
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (400 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
69
you can focus manually
great max aperture (f2)
big screen (4.34 inches)
MP count fantastic (37 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
Vlogging with Zeiss ZX1
27
lighter than competition (225g)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
31
great max aperture (f2)
has touchscreen
offers face detect focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (800 grams)
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-C3 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Alpha NEX-C3Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Zeiss ZX1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-08-22 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 area 365.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 37MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4912 x 3264 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 12800 51200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 25 255
Lens
Lens support Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Maximum aperture - f/2-22
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 4.34"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 2,765 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 225 gr (0.50 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1083 not tested
Other
Battery life 400 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $343 -