Zeiss ZX1: a camera like no other that we're looking forward to

David Lee

5.10.2018

Translation: machine translated

Zeiss is best known for its lenses. Now the company has presented a camera. And not just any camera. The Zeiss ZX1 is unique in every sense of the word.

It's still just an announcement; the camera is due to hit the market in early 2019. But it's already generating a lot of buzz. The Zeiss ZX1 is a full-frame mirrorless camera with a fixed lens. Its design alone makes it stand out from other cameras, with its angled screen and clean lines. The camera weighs around 800 grams and the largest edge measures a good 14 centimetres.

The lens has a fixed focal length of 35mm and an aperture of f/2. The sensor offers 37.4 megapixels and is said to have been developed by Zeiss themselves. Instead of a card slot, the camera has 512GB of internal memory. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC is "fully integrated", enabling direct editing of shots in RAW format. With a 4.3-inch screen, it's larger than most cameras, but smaller than today's smartphones. The ZX1 also has a built-in viewfinder and even a hot shoe for attaching a flash.

An internal memory like this is generally very fast. That's why the burst speed of just 3 frames per second disappoints me. On the other hand, the camera is not at all suited to sports and action with its lens. The ZX1 films in 4K at 30 fps and in Full HD at 60 fps. Connectivity leaves nothing to be desired: USB C, microphone input, headphone output, Bluetooth, WiFi and NFC. The only thing missing is GPS.

With this device, Zeiss aims to combine the advantages of a smartphone with those of a camera. The ZX1, like the smartphone, therefore offers a direct Internet connection for uploading and sharing photos, but also for updating software.

Should you fall for Zeiss

I'm curious to see if the concept works. Will Lightroom be easy to use on a small screen? Is that a good thing? If so, for whom? The camera certainly runs Android. If it functions as a smartphone, will the 3190 mAh battery be sufficient? And finally: how much will this toy cost? The camera certainly won't be cheap.

What do you think of the camera? Would you buy the beast? If so, at what price?

David Lee

Senior Editor

David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.ch

My interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.

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