- Zeiss’ ZX1 Android camera is now available on pre-order.
- It was first announced in 2018.
- The digital camera runs a custom version of Android.
We’ve seen Android phones cough up multiple camera systems for years now. What we haven’t seen in a while is a camera that runs Android. It’s not a new concept. Light’s 16-lens L16 camera was perhaps the last major Android-based camera to launch in 2017. We’ve also seen other companies experiment with the concept resulting in cameras like the Samsung Galaxy Camera, Galaxy NX, Yongnuo YN450, and Panasonic Lumix DMC-CM1. Now, Zeiss is launching one that costs a whopping $6,000.
The Zeiss ZX1 full-frame camera was first announced back in 2018 but is only now going on pre-order. It was spotted on B&H Photo by folks over at DP Review.
The compact camera is Zeiss’ first entry into the digital camera space and runs a custom version of Android. We’re not sure how Zeiss has used Android in the camera and what typical Android features you’ll be able to access. We’ll only know that once it gets into the hands of reviewers or customers.
One cool feature of the Zeiss ZX1 is that it gives users access to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC. This means that you can touch-up or edit the photos you click directly on the camera instead of transferring them to a PC to laptop. Its Wi-Fi capabilities ensure you can immediately share those edited images.
In terms of camera specs, the Zeiss ZX1 comes with a 37.4MP full-frame image sensor which is significantly larger than any smartphone camera sensor. So in terms of imaging skills, you can expect the ZX1 to click much better pictures than even the best camera phones like the Pixel 4, Galaxy S20, or the Huawei P40.
Elsewhere, the Zeiss ZX1 gets a fixed 35mm Distagon f/2.0 lens and a 4.3-inch touchscreen that helps with shooting, editing, and sharing. It also has physical dials and rings for adjusting things like exposure.
While flagship Android phones are now offering 8K video recording capabilities, the Zeiss camera can record 4K videos at 30fps and Full HD videos at 60fps. You also get 512GB of storage space and USB-C connectivity on board.
All-in-all, the Zeiss ZX1 does sound like an exciting proposition, but $6,000 is a huge amount to spend on a camera. Unless you’re seriously into photography, you can save those precious Benjamins and get a great Android camera phone instead.
