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Sony TF1 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony TF1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony TF1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.6-4.7) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched June 2013
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 TF1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Sony TF1 versus Zeiss ZX1, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Sony and Zeiss. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the TF1 (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the TF1 (1/2.3") and ZX1 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The TF1 was revealed 6 years before the ZX1 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sony TF1 being a Compact camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the TF1 grades versus the ZX1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony TF1 over the Zeiss ZX1

 TF1 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony TF1

 ZX1 TF1 
IntroducedSeptember 2018June 2013More recent by 64 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions4.34"2.7"Larger display (+1.64")
Display resolution2765k460kCrisper display (+2305k dot)

Common features in the Sony TF1 and Zeiss ZX1

 TF1 ZX1 
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Sony TF1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Sony TF1 provides physical measurements of 102mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has sizing of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony TF1 versus Zeiss ZX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the TF1 compared to the ZX1.

Sony TF1 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TF1 and ZX1 is 94 and 67 respectively.

Sony TF1 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony TF1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the TF1 and ZX1.

As you can see, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The TF1 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Zeiss ZX1 will deliver greater detail because of its extra 21MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older TF1 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Sony TF1 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony TF1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony TF1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony TF1 Portrait photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography info
35
MP count good (16MP)
includes face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
86
focusing manually
MP count excellent (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony TF1
Street photography with Zeiss ZX1
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
environment proof
lighter than others (152g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
70
screen articulates fully
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
has focus by touch
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony TF1 Sports photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography features
42
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
64
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count excellent (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony TF1 Travel photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than others (152g)
environment proof
includes touch to focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (240 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
65
has bluetooth
has focus by touch
MP count excellent (37 megapixels)
fast maximum aperture (f2)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (800g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony TF1 Landscape photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography advice
40
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
environment proof
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
69
focusing manually
fast maximum aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34")
MP count excellent (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony TF1 as a Vlogging camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Vlogging camera
33
decently wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
lighter than others (152 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
31
fast maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen capability
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (800g)
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Sony TF1 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony TF1 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Brand Sony Zeiss
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1 Zeiss ZX1
Type Waterproof Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-06-21 2018-09-27
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 7488 x 4992
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 255
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/3.6-4.7 f/2-22
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.7" 4.34"
Screen resolution 460k dots 2,765k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Lowest shutter speed 2 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.90 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 152g (0.34 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 62 x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" 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
Battery life 240 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-BN -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $266 -