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Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
76
Overall
61
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
79
Features
62
Overall
72

Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony RX10
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8) lens
  • 813g - 129 x 88 x 102mm
  • Launched March 2014
  • Renewed by Sony RX10 II
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
  • Announced September 2018
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Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1, one is a Large Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Sony and Zeiss. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the RX10 (20MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the RX10 (1") and ZX1 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The RX10 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the ZX1 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony RX10 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the RX10 matches up against the ZX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX10 over the Zeiss ZX1

 RX10 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony RX10

 ZX1 RX10 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018March 2014Newer by 55 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display sizing4.34"3"Larger display (+1.34")
Display resolution2765k1290kSharper display (+1475k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony RX10 and Zeiss ZX1

 RX10 ZX1 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony RX10 features external dimensions of 129mm x 88mm x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0") and a weight of 813 grams (1.79 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).

Check the Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the RX10 vs the ZX1.

Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the RX10 and ZX1 is 58 and 67 respectively.

Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading technical specs. The picture underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the RX10 and ZX1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The RX10 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Zeiss ZX1 will deliver greater detail due to its extra 17MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged RX10 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX10 Portrait photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography details
70
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
87
you can focus manually
fantastic resolution (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony RX10 Street photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography advice
72
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW files
weather proofing
71
screen can move to multiple angles
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
supports focus via touch
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX10 as a Sports photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Sports photography camera
67
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
weather proofing
good battery (420 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
64
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
fantastic resolution (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony RX10
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
58
good battery (420 per charge)
weather proofing
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
fantastic resolution (37 megapixels)
very good max aperture (f2)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (800g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX10 Landscape photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography features
63
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW files
weather proofing
good battery (420 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have Timelapse function
70
you can focus manually
very good max aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34")
fantastic resolution (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony RX10 Vlogging factors
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging factors
30
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone port
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
31
very good max aperture (f2)
touchscreen enabled
has face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing mic port
heavier than others in class (800 grams)
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Sony RX10 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX10 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Brand Sony Zeiss
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 Zeiss ZX1
Class Large Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-03-20 2018-09-27
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 37MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 12800 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 25 255
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-200mm (8.3x) 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/2.8 f/2-22
Crop factor 2.7 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 4.34 inches
Display resolution 1,290 thousand dot 2,765 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology WhiteMagic -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot 6,221 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.20 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 813g (1.79 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 129 x 88 x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 69 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 474 not tested
Other
Battery life 420 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $698 -