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Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
78
Imaging
76
Features
65
Overall
71
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
79
Features
62
Overall
72

Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony RX1R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 507g - 113 x 65 x 72mm
  • Released October 2015
  • Succeeded the Sony RX1R
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Revealed September 2018
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Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Sony RX1R II versus Zeiss ZX1, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Sony and Zeiss. The image resolution of the RX1R II (42MP) and the ZX1 (37MP) is relatively similar and they use the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The RX1R II was manufactured 3 years earlier than the ZX1 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short introduction of how the RX1R II matches up versus the ZX1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX1R II over the Zeiss ZX1

 RX1R II ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony RX1R II

 ZX1 RX1R II 
RevealedSeptember 2018October 2015More modern by 36 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen sizing4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k1229kClearer screen (+1536k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony RX1R II and Zeiss ZX1

 RX1R II ZX1 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Sony RX1R II offers outside dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 507 grams (1.12 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has specifications of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Sony RX1R II versus Zeiss ZX1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the RX1R II against the ZX1.

Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the RX1R II and ZX1 is 78 and 67 respectively.

Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The picture below should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the RX1R II and ZX1.

As you can tell, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony RX1R II to deliver greater detail due to its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged RX1R II is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX1R II Portrait photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography highlights
85
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/4,000s)
resolution is amazing (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
87
focusing manually
resolution is amazing (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony RX1R II Street photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography info
73
tilting screen
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (507 grams)
71
screen can move to multiple angles
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts focus via touch
great high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony RX1R II
Sports photography with Zeiss ZX1
63
resolution is amazing (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
fixed focal length (35mm)
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (220 per charge)
64
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
resolution is amazing (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony RX1R II Travel photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography details
59
resolution is amazing (42MP)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (507 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
65
has bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
resolution is amazing (37MP)
great max aperture (f2)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (800 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX1R II as a Landscape photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Landscape photography camera
68
focusing manually
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
resolution is amazing (42 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (220 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
70
focusing manually
great max aperture (f2)
very good size screen (4.34 inch)
resolution is amazing (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony RX1R II Vlogging info
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging info
34
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone port
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (507g)
31
great max aperture (f2)
has touchscreen
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic support
heavier than others (800g)
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Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX1R II and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R IIZeiss ZX1
General Information
Make Sony Zeiss
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II Zeiss ZX1
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Released 2015-10-13 2018-09-27
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip BIONZ X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 42 megapixel 37 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 7952 x 5304 7488 x 4992
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Highest boosted ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 50 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 25 255
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35mm (1x) 35mm (1x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0 f/2-22
Macro focus distance 14cm -
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 4.34 inches
Display resolution 1,229 thousand dots 2,765 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots 6,221 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/4000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 507g (1.12 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 97 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 3204 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-BX1 -
Self timer Yes (2,5, 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo 512GB internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $3,300 -