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Sony S950 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony S950 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Launched February 2009
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
  • Launched September 2018
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Sony S950 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Sony S950 versus Zeiss ZX1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Sony and Zeiss. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the S950 (10MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the S950 (1/2.3") and ZX1 (Full frame) posses totally different sensor size.

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The S950 was revealed 10 years before the ZX1 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sony S950 being a Compact camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the S950 grades versus the ZX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Zeiss ZX1

 S950 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony S950

 ZX1 S950 
LaunchedSeptember 2018February 2009Newer by 116 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions4.34"2.7"Larger display (+1.64")
Display resolution2765k230kCrisper display (+2535k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony S950 and Zeiss ZX1

 S950 ZX1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Sony S950 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Sony S950 offers outer measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Zeiss ZX1 has sizing of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Examine the Sony S950 versus Zeiss ZX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the S950 versus the ZX1.

Sony S950 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the S950 and ZX1 is 94 and 67 respectively.

Sony S950 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony S950 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by viewing technical specs. The pic below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S950 and ZX1.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S950 having a smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Zeiss ZX1 will provide you with more detail because of its extra 27MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged S950 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Sony S950 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony S950 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S950 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony S950 Portrait photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography information
26
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
86
has manual focus
high resolution (37 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony S950 Street photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography information
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
70
screen articulates fully
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
provides focus by touch
above average high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony S950 Sports photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography info
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
64
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
high resolution (37 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony S950 Travel photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography highlights
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
connects via bluetooth
provides focus by touch
high resolution (37 megapixels)
fast maximum aperture (f2)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (800g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Landscape photography camera
31
focusing manually
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
69
has manual focus
fast maximum aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34 inches)
high resolution (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony S950 Vlogging factors
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging factors
9
no video
31
fast maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen enabled
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competition (800g)
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Sony S950 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S950 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Make Sony Zeiss
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 Zeiss ZX1
Class Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-17 2018-09-27
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 37MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 7488 x 4992
Highest native ISO 3200 51200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 255
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/2-22
Macro focus range 10cm -
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7 inch 4.34 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 2,765k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 2s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 167 grams (0.37 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal 512GB internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $130 -