Zeiss Announces ZX1 Full-Frame Compact Camera with Fixed 35mm F2 Lens

Zeiss has announced the ZX1, the company’s first-ever digital camera. It features a 37.4MP full-frame sensor, a fixed 35mm Distagon F2 lens and a giant 4.3″ touchscreen with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels.

The ZX1 also offers full Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC capability in the camera itself, allowing you to shoot, edit and share your photos on the fly.

The ZX1 includes 512GB of internal memory but no memory card slot, there is also Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity. Zeiss says both the 37.4MP sensor and 35mm F2 lens were developed in-house and were designed from the outset to be matched with one another. Unfortunately the ZX1 does not come with any form of image stabilization.

Zeiss claims the ZX1 can store approximately 6,800 Raw files in DNG format (or up to 50,000 JPEG files). Zeiss’ ZX1 website states that you can connect an external USB drive to the camera to offload images.

The ZX1 has an electronic viewfinder with an OLED panel at full HD (1920×1080) resolution and a magnification of 0.74x. There’s a flash hot-shoe, but no flash built into the camera body. The ZX1 offers single and continuous autofocus. The ZX1 is also capable of capturing UHD 4K at up to 30fps, and Full HD video at up to 60fps.

There’s no details on pricing at this time, but the ZX1 will be available in early 2019.

Further details can be found on the ZX1 Website.

Here’s a short video from Zeiss introducing the ZX1.

Press Text

ZEISS ZX1: The Camera Concept for the Creative Flow in Photography
First full-frame camera from ZEISS with first-class image quality and the familiar, intuitive image editing and connectivity of a smartphone.

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 2018-09-27.

ZEISS ZX1 – That is the name of the newly developed mirrorless full-frame camera from ZEISS that was presented today in Cologne, Germany. Thanks to the ZEISS lens and a sensor developed in-house at ZEISS, the camera delivers first-class image quality combined with an operational concept and user experience that make the photographer’s jobs-to-be-done as intuitive as on a smartphone.

The ZEISS camera concept is just the first step to opening up a new world of possibilities for ambitious photographers – from taking the shot to editing the image and sharing it on the web.

SHOOT. EDIT. SHARE. – Harmonized hardware, software and optics for a seamless creative process
SHOOT: the ZEISS ZX1 features a newly designed, integrated ZEISS Distagon 35 mm f/2 T* lens with autofocus that has been perfectly matched to the 37.4 megapixel full-frame sensor developed in-house at ZEISS. The interplay between the lens and sensor ensures first-class picture quality with that typical ZEISS look.

EDIT: The ZEISS ZX1 enables photographers to professionally process RAW images directly on the camera thanks to fully integrated Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC. Moreover, the ZEISS ZX1’s unique user interface supports the user’s particular workflow without any interruption – providing direct access to the most frequently used functions via a 4.3″ multi-touch display.

SHARE: when the networked full-frame camera is connected, the user can upload selected images directly to the internet – without the intermediate transfer to memory cards or other external devices.

512 GB of internal memory provide sufficient space for approximately 6,800 RAW files (DNG) or over 50,000 JPGs – more than enough to handle photos, even during a longer trip, and giving the photographer the chance to let their creativity flow. Versatile connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB-C ensure that various peripherals can be connected. Over-the-air software updates keep the camera up to date without requiring a computer connection.

Designed with a passion for detail and a focus on the essentials
The design of the ZEISS ZX1 is characterized by its iconic shape with carefully crafted details. The overall form and reduction to just those elements that are absolutely necessary lay the foundation for an ergonomic camera and ensure easy handling. The symbiosis of hardware and software is exemplified by the newly defined user interface that utilizes the 4.3″ multi-touch display. The slightly bent screen separates the live view from the control elements, making camera operation comfortable and straightforward.

“We know that we exploring new ways and initially addressing a special target group with the ZEISS ZX1. With our concept we are focusing on ambitious, professional creatives who want to produce their photographic experiences quickly and efficiently, and inspire as many people on the Internet as possible. This requires a streamlined workflow in addition to high-end features. This is exactly what the concept of the ZEISS ZX1 offers,” explains Jörg Schmitz, Head of the Consumer Products business group at ZEISS.

ZEISS ZX1 available from early 2019
The ZEISS ZX1 will be available at selected dealers in early 2019. ZEISS will announce the recommended retail price at the start of the official market launch. Starting now, anyone interested in receiving information on exact availability can register at www.zeiss.com/zx1.