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Sony HX20V vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony HX20V vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • Newer Model is Sony HX30V
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
  • Introduced September 2018
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Sony HX20V vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Sony HX20V and Zeiss ZX1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Sony and Zeiss. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the HX20V (18MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the HX20V (1/2.3") and ZX1 (Full frame) boast different sensor sizing.

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The HX20V was unveiled 7 years prior to the ZX1 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the HX20V grades vs the ZX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Zeiss ZX1

 HX20V ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony HX20V

 ZX1 HX20V 
IntroducedSeptember 2018July 2012More recent by 75 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions4.34"3"Larger display (+1.34")
Display resolution2765k922kSharper display (+1843k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony HX20V and Zeiss ZX1

 HX20V ZX1 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony HX20V vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony HX20V offers outside measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) and the Zeiss ZX1 has dimensions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Sony HX20V and Zeiss ZX1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the HX20V and the ZX1.

Sony HX20V vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the HX20V and ZX1 is 90 and 67 respectively.

Sony HX20V vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX20V vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the HX20V and ZX1.

As you can see, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The HX20V having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Zeiss ZX1 will give you greater detail having an extra 19 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images more aggressively. The older HX20V is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony HX20V vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony HX20V vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX20V vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX20V Portrait photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography info
45
focusing manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
86
manual focus
MP count great (37MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony HX20V Street photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (254g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
70
screen articulates
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX20V Sports photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography features
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
64
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count great (37 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX20V Travel photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than average (254 grams)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
65
supports bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
MP count great (37 megapixels)
fast max aperture (f2)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (800g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sony HX20V Landscape photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography information
50
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
69
manual focus
fast max aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34")
MP count great (37 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony HX20V
Vlogging with Zeiss ZX1
34
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (254 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
31
fast max aperture (f2)
has touchscreen
supports face detection focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than competition (800g)
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Sony HX20V vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX20V and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20VZeiss ZX1
General Information
Brand Name Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Zeiss ZX1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Released 2012-07-20 2018-09-27
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip BIONZ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 37 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 12800 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 255
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/2-22
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 4.34"
Resolution of screen 922k dots 2,765k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.10 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 254 grams (0.56 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-BG1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $397 -