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Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
69
Imaging
56
Features
70
Overall
61
Sony SLT-A35 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony A35
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 415g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released September 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony A33
  • Updated by Sony A37
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Announced September 2018
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Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Sony and Zeiss. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the A35 (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the A35 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) provide different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The A35 was brought out 8 years earlier than the ZX1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sony A35 being a Compact SLR camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the A35 matches up against the ZX1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A35 over the Zeiss ZX1

 A35 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony A35

 ZX1 A35 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018September 2011More modern by 85 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k921kSharper screen (+1844k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A35 and Zeiss ZX1

 A35 ZX1 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony A35 has outside dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 415 grams (0.91 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).

Compare the Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the A35 vs the ZX1.

Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A35 and ZX1 is 69 and 67 respectively.

Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specifications. The pic here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A35 and ZX1.

To sum up, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The A35 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Zeiss ZX1 will offer more detail having its extra 21MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged A35 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A35 Portrait photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography highlights
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
86
has manual focus
sensor resolution is high (37MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A35 Street photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography factors
71
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others (415 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
70
fully articulated screen
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
has focus via touch
great high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A35 Sports photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
low battery power (440 shots)
64
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is high (37MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
can't change focal length (35mm)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A35 Travel photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Travel photography details
58
lighter than others (415g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low battery power (440 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
65
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
sensor resolution is high (37 megapixels)
great maximum aperture (f2)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (800 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A35 Landscape photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography advice
69
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
low battery power (440 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
69
has manual focus
great maximum aperture (f2)
screen larger than average (4.34 inch)
sensor resolution is high (37MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A35 Vlogging highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging highlights
36
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic jack
lighter than others (415 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
31
great maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen functionality
features face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of mic support
heavier than average in class (800g)
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Sony A35 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A35 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony SLT-A35Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Make Sony Zeiss
Model Sony SLT-A35 Zeiss ZX1
Type Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Released 2011-09-20 2018-09-27
Physical type Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 37 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4912 x 3264 7488 x 4992
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 15 255
Cross focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Max aperture - f/2-22
Available lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 4.34 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 2,765 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,150 thousand dots 6,221 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.73x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 415g (0.91 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 763 not tested
Other
Battery life 440 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $598 -