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Sony RX100 II vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony RX100 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Old Model is Sony RX100
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 III
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
  • Introduced September 2018
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Sony RX100 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Sony RX100 II versus Zeiss ZX1, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Sony and Zeiss. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the RX100 II (20MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the RX100 II (1") and ZX1 (Full frame) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The RX100 II was brought out 6 years earlier than the ZX1 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the RX100 II matches up against the ZX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Zeiss ZX1

 RX100 II ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony RX100 II

 ZX1 RX100 II 
IntroducedSeptember 2018June 2013Fresher by 63 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions4.34"3"Larger display (+1.34")
Display resolution2765k1229kClearer display (+1536k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony RX100 II and Zeiss ZX1

 RX100 II ZX1 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Sony RX100 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Sony RX100 II offers outside dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has specifications of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Sony RX100 II versus Zeiss ZX1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the RX100 II versus the ZX1.

Sony RX100 II vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the RX100 II and ZX1 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Sony RX100 II vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX100 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading technical specs. The visual below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the RX100 II and ZX1.

As you have seen, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The RX100 II due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Zeiss ZX1 will deliver more detail having its extra 17MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The older RX100 II is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sony RX100 II vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony RX100 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX100 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX100 II as a Portrait photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Portrait photography camera
70
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
86
manual focus
amazing megapixels (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony RX100 II as a Street photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Street photography camera
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (281 grams)
70
screen can move to multiple angles
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
offers focus via touch
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX100 II Sports photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography advice
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports tracking focus
better than average battery power (350 shots)
has no phase detect AF
64
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
amazing megapixels (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony RX100 II
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
80
better than average battery power (350 shots)
lighter than competition in class (281g)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
65
connects via bluetooth
offers focus via touch
amazing megapixels (37 megapixels)
fast max aperture (f2)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX100 II Landscape photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography information
74
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (350 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
69
manual focus
fast max aperture (f2)
big screen (4.34")
amazing megapixels (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony RX100 II Vlogging features
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging features
37
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (281g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have microphone socket
31
fast max aperture (f2)
touchscreen enabled
includes face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
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Sony RX100 II vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX100 II and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IIZeiss ZX1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Zeiss
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II Zeiss ZX1
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-06-27 2018-09-27
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Full frame
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 7488 x 4992
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 160 80
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 25 255
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-100mm (3.6x) 35mm (1x)
Max aperture f/1.8-4.9 f/2-22
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Crop factor 2.7 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 4.34 inch
Resolution of display 1,229 thousand dots 2,765 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W)) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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 281g (0.62 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 67 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 483 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-BX1 -
Self timer Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots)) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $598 -