Big test
PERFORMANCE: EXPOSURE LATITUDE
FLAREWATCH Aiming the ZX1 towards the sun – in frame or just outside – can result in flare, even with the lens hood in place, so take care with compositions. Here, the sun is in the frame and there’s a large flare spot on the right-side boat’s hull, but it’s not so obvious as it’s in shadow. Exposure was 1/850sec at f/11 and ISO 100, with no exposure compensation applied
different. I did have initial concerns over its slow start-up, but was happier once I found that having the ZX1 in standby for a significant time is a feasible option. Although, I would still buy an extra battery for £125, just for that peace of mind. It has certainly been fun testing it – and very different from anything that has been through the PN office. WC
that has its uses. Obviously, working on a small, phone-sized screen requires patience and dexterity. Whether you use the feature is up to you. The Zeiss ZX1 is a unique proposition. Being able to edit and upload direct from the camera gives it a special appeal, but you have to get used to its handling. It is very
-3EV
-2EV
-1EV
Final word
Verdict Whichever way you look at it, any camera costing £5399 is expensive. And even though the ZX1 has a distinctive look, 37.4 megapixels, built-in Adobe Lightroom and a Zeiss lens on the front, it is a fixed focal length model, so its ultimate potential is limited. Obviously, it depends on what you want to shoot and how you want to engage with your audience. While it is not as versatile as, say, a Canon EOS R5 and a zoom, the ZX1 lets you do stuff with your shots that you can’t on other cameras. 22 /25 FEATURES High resolution, integral memory and fun design are headline attractions 20 /25 HANDLING Fine, once you get used to it – it’s a very individual character 23 /25 PERFORMANCE
A series of exposures were taken to +/-3EV in 0.5EV steps, starting from a correct metered exposure of 1/60sec at f/11. The DNG Raws were exposure corrected in Adobe Lightroom (on a computer). Typically, the ZX1’s Raws were very tolerant when it came to underexposure, and less so concerning overexposure. Looking closely at the -3EV shot showed that, while there was some digital noise, it wasn’t that much at all. It was only really evident in areas of even tone. Image quality just got better as the underexposure was lessened. With overexposure, the +3EV shot was not usable, with the highlights looking stark and burnt out. It was much improved at +2EV, and by +1EV and +1.5EV the Raws fared better and looked normal.
0
+1EV
+2EV
+3EV
Capable focusing and exposure systems, but white-balance less so. High lens sharpness, but flare is an issue shooting towards the sun
20 /25 VALUE FOR MONEY
Zeiss quality doesn’t come cheap
85 /100 OVERALL
The ZX1 is a unique and fascinating product, but it’s not one with mass appeal
THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO MAKE GOOD USE
PROS Image quality, large touch LCD monitor, internal memory, quiet shutter, flash sync, apps, decent ISO performance, battery life CONS Price, slow initial start-up, no stabiliser, not weather resistant, fixed monitor, aspects of handling, tiny function button, no dioptre lock, no ISO dial lock, lens susceptible to flare, inconsistent AWB
Where will your kit go next? Inspire others, earn some extra cash and make a difference. Sell your used kit and let someone else love it as much as you have. Make good use of your used gear. Sell yours today at mpb.com/sell
Issue 96 | Photography News 49
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