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Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76
Sony SLT-A99 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Announced December 2012
  • Old Model is Sony A900
  • Replacement is Sony A99 II
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
  • Announced September 2018
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Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Sony and Zeiss. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the A99 (24MP) and ZX1 (37MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The A99 was unveiled 6 years before the ZX1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the A99 grades vs the ZX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Zeiss ZX1

 A99 ZX1 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Sony A99

 ZX1 A99 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018December 2012More modern by 70 months
Display sizing4.34"3"Larger display (+1.34")
Display resolution2765k1229kClearer display (+1536k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A99 and Zeiss ZX1

 A99 ZX1 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display

Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A99 has got outer dimensions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has dimensions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the A99 and the ZX1.

Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A99 and ZX1 is 57 and 67 respectively.

Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The image underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A99 and ZX1.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Zeiss ZX1 to render extra detail having an extra 13MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged A99 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A99 Portrait photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography highlights
81
you can focus manually
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
86
manual focus
excellent MP (37 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A99 Street photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography advice
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
70
fully articulated screen
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
offers touch focus
very good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A99 Sports photography factors
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography factors
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (500 CIPA)
64
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent MP (37MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A99 as a Travel photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Travel photography camera
60
weather proofing
good resolution (24MP)
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery life (500 shots)
65
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
excellent MP (37 megapixels)
very good max aperture (f2)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (800 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A99
Landscape photography with Zeiss ZX1
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery life (500 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
69
manual focus
very good max aperture (f2)
screen larger than average (4.34")
excellent MP (37 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A99
Vlogging with Zeiss ZX1
76
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone port
31
very good max aperture (f2)
touchscreen functionality
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone port
more heavy than competition (800 grams)
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Sony A99 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A99 and Zeiss ZX1
 Sony SLT-A99Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Make Sony Zeiss
Model Sony SLT-A99 Zeiss ZX1
Type Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-12-12 2018-09-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.8mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 852.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 37MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 19 255
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Maximal aperture - f/2-22
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 4.34"
Resolution of display 1,229k dot 2,765k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Xtra Fine color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot 6,221k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 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 data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 812 grams (1.79 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 89 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1555 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FM500H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC 512GB internal
Storage slots Two One
Cost at launch $1,998 -