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Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
64
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71
Sony SLT-A65 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony A65
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Replacement is Sony A68
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
  • Introduced September 2018
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Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Sony and Zeiss. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the A65 (24MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the A65 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The A65 was unveiled 7 years earlier than the ZX1 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A65 being a Compact SLR camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the A65 grades against the ZX1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Zeiss ZX1

 A65 ZX1 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony A65

 ZX1 A65 
IntroducedSeptember 2018November 2011Fresher by 83 months
Screen sizing4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k921kSharper screen (+1844k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A65 and Zeiss ZX1

 A65 ZX1 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen

Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Sony A65 features outer dimensions of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") and a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has specifications of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the A65 and the ZX1.

Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the A65 and ZX1 is 64 and 67 respectively.

Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading through specs. The photograph here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A65 and ZX1.

All in all, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The A65 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Zeiss ZX1 will give greater detail having an extra 13MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older A65 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A65 as a Portrait photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Portrait photography camera
77
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
86
you can focus manually
high MP (37 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focus
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A65
Street photography with Zeiss ZX1
77
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
70
screen articulates
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
features touch focus
good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A65 Sports photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography details
81
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
64
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
high MP (37 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A65 as a Travel photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Travel photography camera
68
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
does not have Timelapse recording
65
supports bluetooth
features touch focus
high MP (37MP)
good max aperture (f2)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (800g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A65 Landscape photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography features
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
69
you can focus manually
good max aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34 inches)
high MP (37 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A65 Vlogging information
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging information
78
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
31
good max aperture (f2)
touchscreen functionality
features face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external mic jack
heavier than average in class (800 grams)
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Sony A65 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A65 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony SLT-A65Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Make Sony Zeiss
Model Sony SLT-A65 Zeiss ZX1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-11-15 2018-09-27
Body design Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 24 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 12800 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 15 255
Cross focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture - f/2-22
Amount of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 4.34 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 2,765k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot 6,221k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.73x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m 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
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 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
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 622 grams (1.37 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 717 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FM500H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo 512GB internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $700 -