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Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
58
Overall
65
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
79
Features
62
Overall
72

Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony RX1R
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Updated by Sony RX1R II
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
  • Announced September 2018
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Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Sony and Zeiss. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the RX1R (24MP) and ZX1 (37MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The RX1R was introduced 6 years earlier than the ZX1 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the RX1R grades versus the ZX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX1R over the Zeiss ZX1

 RX1R ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony RX1R

 ZX1 RX1R 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018June 2013More modern by 63 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k1229kCrisper screen (+1536k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony RX1R and Zeiss ZX1

 RX1R ZX1 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and size. The Sony RX1R comes with external measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 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).

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Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the RX1R vs the ZX1.

Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the RX1R and ZX1 is 79 and 67 respectively.

Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the RX1R and ZX1.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Zeiss ZX1 to offer extra detail using its extra 13 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged RX1R is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX1R as a Portrait photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Portrait photography camera
82
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/4,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
87
you can focus manually
megapixel count high (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony RX1R Street photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography info
66
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
great high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (482 grams)
71
screen articulates
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch focus
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX1R Sports photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography factors
53
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (270 shots)
no phase detect AF
64
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count high (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
fixed focal length (35mm)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony RX1R as a Travel photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Travel photography camera
62
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
has built in flash
great max aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery (270 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (482 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
connects via bluetooth
supports touch focus
megapixel count high (37 megapixels)
very good max aperture (f2)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony RX1R
Landscape photography with Zeiss ZX1
66
you can focus manually
great max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (270 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
70
you can focus manually
very good max aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34 inches)
megapixel count high (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony RX1R
Vlogging with Zeiss ZX1
34
great max aperture (f2.0)
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (482 grams)
31
very good max aperture (f2)
touchscreen enabled
has face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
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Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX1R and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1RZeiss ZX1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R Zeiss ZX1
Category Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-06-26 2018-09-27
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.9mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 7488 x 4992
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 25 255
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35mm (1x) 35mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/2.0 f/2-22
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 4.34 inch
Resolution of screen 1,229 thousand dot 2,765 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech Xtra FineTFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic and Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Wireless no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 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 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 482 grams (1.06 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 91 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2537 not tested
Other
Battery life 270 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-BX1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $2,798 -