Zeiss ZX-1 reviewed by DPR - and it's as awful as I expected.

AgentL · 11-19-2020, 10:29 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pres589

The Pixii makes a lot more sense to me than this camera.

I'd be saving for a Pixii right now if it had a full frame sensor so the lenses wouldn't all be cropped. Just a conventional full frame sensor like the ones in every trendy camera now, leave everything else the same (well, maybe make the shutter button a little more traditional and comfortable).

**RobA_Oz** · 11-20-2020, 12:38 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clackers

Yes, I'm not sure uber rich people like waiting for gadgets to start working.

I can see a Type A personality bonds trader buying one. Then hurling it out the window of his Maserati.

Quattroporte or MC20?

**Rondec** · 11-20-2020, 03:36 AM - **1 Like**

I think a good photographer will be able to capture good images with this camera. That probably goes without saying. But the experience of taking those photos will be frustrating compared to a traditional ILC or even a camera like a GR III.

There's a reason why most cameras have particular buttons and dials and replacing them with an OLED touch screen is not really adequate. I can change any exposure setting on my K-1 or K-3 camera without taking the camera from my eye -- not so easy with this sort of thing. It really isn't about the price -- that's really expensive, but if the camera looked really functional, I think people would just feel the way they do about Leica gear. This just doesn't look like a joy to use.

**pres589** · 11-20-2020, 07:02 AM

Originally posted by AgentL

I'd be saving for a Pixii right now if it had a full frame sensor so the lenses wouldn't all be cropped. Just a conventional full frame sensor like the ones in every trendy camera now, leave everything else the same (well, maybe make the shutter button a little more traditional and comfortable).

A full frame sensor from five years ago would have been sufficient. I agree that having it be a crop body was an odd step backwards. Ultimately if this was the kind of camera I wanted I'd be shopping for a used Leica M9 or something similar. Pixii is an interesting concept but not one I would spend my money on.

**RobA_Oz** · 11-20-2020, 02:14 PM

It appears so far that the ZX1 has had a less-favourable reception than the K-01 had, even here. I realise they’re two quite different cameras.

On the plus side, the leaf shutter was probably a good idea, but it’s mated to a 35mm lens, which I don’t think was. Perhaps they’ll offer supplementary lenses for a wider or longer view, later.

Kunzite · 11-20-2020, 02:35 PM

The K-01 wasn't bad; just a bit unconventional, and you didn't really gain anything for the lost viewfinder. Even its AF wasn't the slowest.

**Kevin B123** · 11-20-2020, 02:54 PM

I find it surprising that such an apparent dud could find it's way to market, did they do no testing of this thing? unless of course they did and this is the improved version.

**RobA_Oz** · 11-20-2020, 04:14 PM

Originally posted by Kunzite

The K-01 wasn't bad; just a bit unconventional, and you didn't really gain anything for the lost viewfinder. Even its AF wasn't the slowest.

I wasn’t suggesting it was bad, but it did receive a hell of a drubbing here. Mostly, at the time, I recall the styling and price were the main points of objection.

In the case of the ZX1, I don’t mind its styling, but for what it is I wouldn’t consider the price to be anywhere near reasonable, especially when you stack it up against the Leica Q2. For the difference, you could buy a very nice Apple or Android tablet and have some decent screen real estate to do your processing on, let alone everything else one of those would provide.

AgentL · 11-20-2020, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by pres589

A full frame sensor from five years ago would have been sufficient. I agree that having it be a crop body was an odd step backwards. Ultimately if this was the kind of camera I wanted I'd be shopping for a used Leica M9 or something similar. Pixii is an interesting concept but not one I would spend my money on.

The global shutter seems like a feature they were really touting, but it's at the expense of literally everything else in the camera. I'd have ditched it a long time ago, at least for an introductory model.

Kunzite · 11-21-2020, 01:35 AM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

I wasn’t suggesting it was bad, but it did receive a hell of a drubbing here. Mostly, at the time, I recall the styling and price were the main points of objection.

In the case of the ZX1, I don’t mind its styling, but for what it is I wouldn’t consider the price to be anywhere near reasonable, especially when you stack it up against the Leica Q2. For the difference, you could buy a very nice Apple or Android tablet and have some decent screen real estate to do your processing on, let alone everything else one of those would provide.

Sure; I was just offering my opinion on why the ZX-1 is less favorably received. The K-01 had its issues, as you say its unusual styling and price (many MILCs didn't had a viewfinder back then), but the ZX-1 has more serious issues, and it's more seriously overpriced.
My issue with the K-01 is that it didn't give me anything for the removal of the viewfinder.
My issue with the ZX-1 is that it doesn't work as a camera. It's fundamentally crippled.

By the way, Mike hoped they'll implement an exposure compensation dial through a firmware update. Sorry, they can't. Both wheels are marked so their function is fixed, and there's just one programmable button.

**Rondec** · 11-21-2020, 03:48 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

I wasn’t suggesting it was bad, but it did receive a hell of a drubbing here. Mostly, at the time, I recall the styling and price were the main points of objection.

In the case of the ZX1, I don’t mind its styling, but for what it is I wouldn’t consider the price to be anywhere near reasonable, especially when you stack it up against the Leica Q2. For the difference, you could buy a very nice Apple or Android tablet and have some decent screen real estate to do your processing on, let alone everything else one of those would provide.

The K-01 is like a stripped down K-50, stuck in live view and limited to three shot bursts in RAW. The K-01s were priced at 750 dollars, as I recall, which was quite a bit more than for the K-50s at the time.

I do think the recipe for a flop is poor functionality combined with high price and the hope that styling will carry the day.

**clackers** · 11-22-2020, 05:36 PM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

Quattroporte or MC20?

The advantage of the Quattroporte is that you can pretend it's your family sedan ... you pick up the kids in it, do the supermarket run, etc ...

**RobA_Oz** · 11-22-2020, 11:02 PM

Originally posted by clackers

The advantage of the Quattroporte is that you can pretend it's your family sedan ... you pick up the kids in it, do the supermarket run, etc ...

I’m with you on that one. Did you ever read Alexei Sayle’s Maserati road test article (in Car or Octane, I think)?

**clackers** · 11-23-2020, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

I’m with you on that one. Did you ever read Alexei Sale’s Maserati road test article (in Car or Octane, I think)?

No, but I admire Alexei Sayle's comic work.

11-20-2020, 02:14 PM	#35
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,980	It appears so far that the ZX1 has had a less-favourable reception than the K-01 had, even here. I realise they’re two quite different cameras. On the plus side, the leaf shutter was probably a good idea, but it’s mated to a 35mm lens, which I don’t think was. Perhaps they’ll offer supplementary lenses for a wider or longer view, later. Last edited by RobA_Oz; 11-20-2020 at 04:05 PM.

11-20-2020, 04:14 PM	#38
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,980	Originally posted by Kunzite The K-01 wasn't bad; just a bit unconventional, and you didn't really gain anything for the lost viewfinder. Even its AF wasn't the slowest. I wasn’t suggesting it was bad, but it did receive a hell of a drubbing here. Mostly, at the time, I recall the styling and price were the main points of objection. In the case of the ZX1, I don’t mind its styling, but for what it is I wouldn’t consider the price to be anywhere near reasonable, especially when you stack it up against the Leica Q2. For the difference, you could buy a very nice Apple or Android tablet and have some decent screen real estate to do your processing on, let alone everything else one of those would provide. Last edited by RobA_Oz; 11-20-2020 at 10:07 PM.

11-22-2020, 11:02 PM	#43
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,980	Originally posted by clackers The advantage of the Quattroporte is that you can pretend it's your family sedan ... you pick up the kids in it, do the supermarket run, etc ... I’m with you on that one. Did you ever read Alexei Sayle’s Maserati road test article (in Car or Octane, I think)? Last edited by RobA_Oz; 11-23-2020 at 04:11 PM.

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11-19-2020, 10:29 PM - 1 Like	#31
AgentL Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2020 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,017	Originally posted by pres589 The Pixii makes a lot more sense to me than this camera. I'd be saving for a Pixii right now if it had a full frame sensor so the lenses wouldn't all be cropped. Just a conventional full frame sensor like the ones in every trendy camera now, leave everything else the same (well, maybe make the shutter button a little more traditional and comfortable).

11-20-2020, 12:38 AM - 1 Like	#32
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,980	Originally posted by clackers Yes, I'm not sure uber rich people like waiting for gadgets to start working. I can see a Type A personality bonds trader buying one. Then hurling it out the window of his Maserati. Quattroporte or MC20?

11-20-2020, 03:36 AM - 1 Like	#33
Rondec Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 23,977	I think a good photographer will be able to capture good images with this camera. That probably goes without saying. But the experience of taking those photos will be frustrating compared to a traditional ILC or even a camera like a GR III. There's a reason why most cameras have particular buttons and dials and replacing them with an OLED touch screen is not really adequate. I can change any exposure setting on my K-1 or K-3 camera without taking the camera from my eye -- not so easy with this sort of thing. It really isn't about the price -- that's really expensive, but if the camera looked really functional, I think people would just feel the way they do about Leica gear. This just doesn't look like a joy to use.

11-20-2020, 07:02 AM	#34
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by AgentL I'd be saving for a Pixii right now if it had a full frame sensor so the lenses wouldn't all be cropped. Just a conventional full frame sensor like the ones in every trendy camera now, leave everything else the same (well, maybe make the shutter button a little more traditional and comfortable). A full frame sensor from five years ago would have been sufficient. I agree that having it be a crop body was an odd step backwards. Ultimately if this was the kind of camera I wanted I'd be shopping for a used Leica M9 or something similar. Pixii is an interesting concept but not one I would spend my money on.

11-20-2020, 02:35 PM	#36
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 14,377 Original Poster	The K-01 wasn't bad; just a bit unconventional, and you didn't really gain anything for the lost viewfinder. Even its AF wasn't the slowest.

11-20-2020, 02:54 PM	#37
Kevin B123 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,368	I find it surprising that such an apparent dud could find it's way to market, did they do no testing of this thing? unless of course they did and this is the improved version.

11-20-2020, 07:31 PM	#39
AgentL Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2020 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,017	Originally posted by pres589 A full frame sensor from five years ago would have been sufficient. I agree that having it be a crop body was an odd step backwards. Ultimately if this was the kind of camera I wanted I'd be shopping for a used Leica M9 or something similar. Pixii is an interesting concept but not one I would spend my money on. The global shutter seems like a feature they were really touting, but it's at the expense of literally everything else in the camera. I'd have ditched it a long time ago, at least for an introductory model.

11-21-2020, 01:35 AM	#40
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 14,377 Original Poster	Originally posted by RobA_Oz I wasn’t suggesting it was bad, but it did receive a hell of a drubbing here. Mostly, at the time, I recall the styling and price were the main points of objection. In the case of the ZX1, I don’t mind its styling, but for what it is I wouldn’t consider the price to be anywhere near reasonable, especially when you stack it up against the Leica Q2. For the difference, you could buy a very nice Apple or Android tablet and have some decent screen real estate to do your processing on, let alone everything else one of those would provide. Sure; I was just offering my opinion on why the ZX-1 is less favorably received. The K-01 had its issues, as you say its unusual styling and price (many MILCs didn't had a viewfinder back then), but the ZX-1 has more serious issues, and it's more seriously overpriced. My issue with the K-01 is that it didn't give me anything for the removal of the viewfinder. My issue with the ZX-1 is that it doesn't work as a camera. It's fundamentally crippled. By the way, Mike hoped they'll implement an exposure compensation dial through a firmware update. Sorry, they can't. Both wheels are marked so their function is fixed, and there's just one programmable button.

11-21-2020, 03:48 AM - 1 Like	#41
Rondec Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 23,977	Originally posted by RobA_Oz I wasn’t suggesting it was bad, but it did receive a hell of a drubbing here. Mostly, at the time, I recall the styling and price were the main points of objection. In the case of the ZX1, I don’t mind its styling, but for what it is I wouldn’t consider the price to be anywhere near reasonable, especially when you stack it up against the Leica Q2. For the difference, you could buy a very nice Apple or Android tablet and have some decent screen real estate to do your processing on, let alone everything else one of those would provide. The K-01 is like a stripped down K-50, stuck in live view and limited to three shot bursts in RAW. The K-01s were priced at 750 dollars, as I recall, which was quite a bit more than for the K-50s at the time. I do think the recipe for a flop is poor functionality combined with high price and the hope that styling will carry the day.

11-22-2020, 05:36 PM	#42
clackers Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 15,075	Originally posted by RobA_Oz Quattroporte or MC20? The advantage of the Quattroporte is that you can pretend it's your family sedan ... you pick up the kids in it, do the supermarket run, etc ...

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11-23-2020, 03:25 PM	#44
clackers Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 15,075	Originally posted by RobA_Oz I’m with you on that one. Did you ever read Alexei Sale’s Maserati road test article (in Car or Octane, I think)? No, but I admire Alexei Sayle's comic work.