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Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
62
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
79
Features
62
Overall
72

Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony HX400V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 660g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Replaced the Sony HX300
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Announced September 2018
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Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Sony and Zeiss. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the HX400V (20MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the HX400V (1/2.3") and ZX1 (Full frame) use totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The HX400V was introduced 5 years earlier than the ZX1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony HX400V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the HX400V grades vs the ZX1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX400V over the Zeiss ZX1

 HX400V ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony HX400V

 ZX1 HX400V 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018February 2014More modern by 56 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen sizing4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k921kSharper screen (+1844k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony HX400V and Zeiss ZX1

 HX400V ZX1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony HX400V offers exterior dimensions of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") along with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) whilst the Zeiss ZX1 has proportions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the HX400V compared to the ZX1.

Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HX400V and ZX1 is 62 and 67 respectively.

Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching specs. The pic here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the HX400V and ZX1.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The HX400V with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Zeiss ZX1 will render extra detail using its extra 17 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged HX400V will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX400V Portrait photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography details
51
focusing manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
87
focusing manually
high megapixels (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony HX400V as a Street photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Street photography camera
50
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competition (660 grams)
71
screen articulates fully
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
has focus via touch
above average high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX400V Sports photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography details
55
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
supports tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
64
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
high megapixels (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX400V as a Travel photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Travel photography camera
53
good megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (660g)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
high megapixels (37 megapixels)
fast maximum aperture (f2)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (800 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX400V Landscape photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography highlights
49
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
70
focusing manually
fast maximum aperture (f2)
big screen (4.34 inch)
high megapixels (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX400V as a Vlogging camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Vlogging camera
29
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic socket
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (660 grams)
31
fast maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen enabled
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing external mic socket
heavier than competitors (800g)
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Sony HX400V vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX400V and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400VZeiss ZX1
General Information
Brand Name Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V Zeiss ZX1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-02-12 2018-09-27
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X -
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 20 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 12800 51200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 255
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.3 f/2-22
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 4.34"
Resolution of screen 921k dots 2,765k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.50 m (ISO Auto) no built-in flash
Flash modes Flash Off / Autoflash / Fill-flash / Slow Sync. / Advanced Flash / Rear Sync. / Wireless (with optional compliant flash) no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 660 grams (1.46 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") 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 300 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-BX1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $448 -