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Sony RX100 III vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
77
Overall
61
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony RX100 III vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony RX100 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 290g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Launched May 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony RX100 II
  • Renewed by Sony RX100 IV
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
  • Released September 2018
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Sony RX100 III vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Sony RX100 III and Zeiss ZX1, both Large Sensor Compact cameras by brands Sony and Zeiss. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the RX100 III (20MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the RX100 III (1") and ZX1 (Full frame) offer different sensor size.

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The RX100 III was introduced 5 years earlier than the ZX1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the RX100 III matches up versus the ZX1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX100 III over the Zeiss ZX1

 RX100 III ZX1 
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony RX100 III

 ZX1 RX100 III 
ReleasedSeptember 2018May 2014Newer by 53 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k1229kCrisper screen (+1536k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony RX100 III and Zeiss ZX1

 RX100 III ZX1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Sony RX100 III vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Sony RX100 III comes with external measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 290 grams (0.64 lbs) and 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).

Look at the Sony RX100 III and Zeiss ZX1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the RX100 III versus the ZX1.

Sony RX100 III vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the RX100 III and ZX1 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Sony RX100 III vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX100 III vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching specifications. The image here may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the RX100 III and ZX1.

To sum up, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The RX100 III using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Zeiss ZX1 will result in greater detail using its extra 17 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged RX100 III will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony RX100 III vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony RX100 III vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony RX100 III
Portrait photography with Zeiss ZX1
64
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
86
manual focus
fantastic megapixels (37MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony RX100 III
Street photography with Zeiss ZX1
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (290 grams)
70
screen articulates
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
includes touch focus
very good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony RX100 III
Sports photography with Zeiss ZX1
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
offers tracking focus
no phase detect AF
64
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
fantastic megapixels (37 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
can't change focal length (35mm)
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony RX100 III
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
85
lighter than competition (290g)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
65
has bluetooth
includes touch focus
fantastic megapixels (37 megapixels)
very good maximum aperture (f2)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (800 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX100 III as a Landscape photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Landscape photography camera
73
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
69
manual focus
very good maximum aperture (f2)
big screen (4.34")
fantastic megapixels (37 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony RX100 III Vlogging features
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging features
80
decently wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (290g)
doesn't have mic port
31
very good maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
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Sony RX100 III vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX100 III and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IIIZeiss ZX1
General Information
Make Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III Zeiss ZX1
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-05-15 2018-09-27
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Full frame
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 37MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 7488 x 4992
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 25 255
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-70mm (2.9x) 35mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/2-22
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Crop factor 2.7 1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 4.34 inch
Resolution of screen 1,229 thousand dot 2,765 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot 6,221 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.59x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 290 gr (0.64 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 495 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-BX1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, self-portrait, continuous) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $748 -