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Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65
Sony SLT-A55 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced August 2010
  • Successor is Sony A57
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 A55 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Sony and Zeiss. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the A55 (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the A55 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) use totally different sensor size.

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The A55 was launched 9 years prior to the ZX1 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick overview of how the A55 matches up vs the ZX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Zeiss ZX1

 A55 ZX1 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony A55

 ZX1 A55 
IntroducedSeptember 2018August 2010Newer by 98 months
Display dimension4.34"3"Larger display (+1.34")
Display resolution2765k921kCrisper display (+1844k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A55 and Zeiss ZX1

 A55 ZX1 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display

Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony A55 enjoys external dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has measurements of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the A55 and the ZX1.

Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A55 and ZX1 is 67 and 67 respectively.

Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The image underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A55 and ZX1.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A55 due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Zeiss ZX1 will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged A55 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A55 Portrait photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography details
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
86
manual focus
sensor resolution is excellent (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony A55 Street photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography highlights
77
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
70
screen can move to multiple angles
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
good high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A55
Sports photography with Zeiss ZX1
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (380 CIPA)
64
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is excellent (37 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
fixed focal length (35mm)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A55
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
62
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (380 shots)
65
supports bluetooth
provides focus via touch
sensor resolution is excellent (37 megapixels)
good maximum aperture (f2)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (800g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A55 Landscape photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography highlights
67
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
not so great battery power (380 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
69
manual focus
good maximum aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34")
sensor resolution is excellent (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A55 Vlogging advice
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging advice
78
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic socket
31
good maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen functionality
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (800g)
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Sony A55 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A55 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony SLT-A55Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Brand Name Sony Zeiss
Model type Sony SLT-A55 Zeiss ZX1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-08-24 2018-09-27
Body design Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4912 x 3264 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 12800 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 15 255
Cross type focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture - f/2-22
Total lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 4.34 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 2,765 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,150 thousand dot 6,221 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.73x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 500 grams (1.10 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
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 Overall rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 816 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $800 -