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Sony W230 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
79
Features
62
Overall
72

Sony W230 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2009
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 W230 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Sony W230 and Zeiss ZX1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Sony and Zeiss. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the W230 (12MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the W230 (1/2.3") and ZX1 (Full frame) have totally different sensor sizes.

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The W230 was revealed 10 years earlier than the ZX1 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Sony W230 being a Compact camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the W230 grades versus the ZX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Zeiss ZX1

 W230 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony W230

 ZX1 W230 
RevealedSeptember 2018February 2009Newer by 116 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k230kCrisper screen (+2535k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony W230 and Zeiss ZX1

 W230 ZX1 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Sony W230 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony W230 has got external measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Zeiss ZX1 has measurements of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Sony W230 and Zeiss ZX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the W230 vs the ZX1.

Sony W230 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the W230 and ZX1 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Sony W230 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony W230 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading a spec sheet. The image here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the W230 and ZX1.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The W230 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Zeiss ZX1 will offer you greater detail because of its extra 25MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged W230 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Sony W230 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony W230 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W230 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony W230 Portrait photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography info
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
87
you can focus manually
great megapixels (37 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony W230
Street photography with Zeiss ZX1
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
71
screen can move to multiple angles
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony W230 Sports photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography information
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
64
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
great megapixels (37MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
fixed focal length (35mm)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony W230 Travel photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography features
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
great megapixels (37 megapixels)
fast max aperture (f2)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (800 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony W230 Landscape photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography info
37
manual focus
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse function
70
you can focus manually
fast max aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34")
great megapixels (37 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony W230
Vlogging with Zeiss ZX1
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone support
31
fast max aperture (f2)
touchscreen functionality
has face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone socket
more heavy than competition (800g)
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Sony W230 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W230 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Company Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 Zeiss ZX1
Class Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 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 measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 37MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 3200 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 255
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-120mm (4.0x) 35mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/2-22
Macro focusing distance 4cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 4.34 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 2,765 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
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 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video file 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 156g (0.34 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (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 rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal 512GB internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $180 -