Zeiss has announced the release of its long-awaited ZX1 mirrorless camera in the United States and Germany.

The ZEISS ZX1 is now available at selected dealers in the United States and Germany. “The concept of the ZEISS ZX1 opens up new ways in digital and connected photography,” said Jörg Schmitz, Head of ZEISS Consumer Products on the sales start. “The ZEISS ZX1 combines the potential and superior image quality of a full-frame camera with the mobile experience and intuitive use of smartphones for photography.” The sales start has been long-awaited in the community. “We have once again worked intensively on the overall workflow and the smooth integration of hardware and software and are convinced that it was worth the wait,” adds Schmitz.

A newly designed, built-in ZEISS Distagon 35 mm f/2 T* lens with autofocus is perfectly matched to the 37.4-megapixel full-frame sensor developed by ZEISS. The lens and sensor work together to create true-to-life images of the highest quality over the entire image featuring the typical ZEISS look. The look is characterized by an exceptional image definition, natural colors, and a 3D pop effect. The virtually silent shutter allows us to fully focus on what’s happening in the shot and produce an image with a special atmosphere.

With its 4.3-inch multi-touch display, the ZEISS ZX1 allows photographers to professionally edit images directly on the camera. Using the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom app built right into the camera, users can even professionally edit RAW images – with easy to use tools, sliders, and presets. The ZEISS ZX1 comes with a free one-year Lightroom subscription including 1TB of cloud storage.

The visually clear user interface supports the user’s individual workflow by providing direct access to the most frequently used functions via the display. Thanks to the distinctive bend in the display, the camera fits more comfortably in the hand and is particularly easy to operate.
The minimalist design represents the new and ambitious concept of the ZEISS ZX1 and has already received several international design awards, even before the product started to ship.

The selected images can be uploaded directly to the cloud or social media platforms – without needing to first transfer them to memory cards or other external devices. “The camera addresses users who are increasingly shaping the world of photography: ambitious amateurs and creative professionals who want to quickly and efficiently capture their images and post them online to delight their audience,” said Dr. Ulrich Wagemann, project manager for the ZEISS ZX1. “This requires a perfect workflow, and that’s why we are breaking new ground conceptually”.

The 512 GB internal memory provides enough space for almost 7,000 RAW files or more than 50,000 JPGs. Multifunctional interfaces such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C ensure that users can connect nearly any conceivable peripheral device to the camera. At the same time, the camera’s software can be updated wirelessly, i.e. without needing to connect it to an external computer.

Here some sample pictures from Zeiss:

Travel and street photography expert Csaba Desvari had the ZEISS ZX1 with him when he traveled through the streets of Manila: “The way this camera has been designed the minimal approach just works. It has a special vibe and a reduction to the essential invites to capture moments and use it again and again. Feels incredibly good in the hand.” When asked about the handling of the fixed lens, he said: “Sometimes life does not wait for the right equipment. Therefore, the fixed lens camera gives me the freedom to be only a photographer and disconnect from being a gadget guru, who changes hardware continuously.”

The ZEISS ZX1 is now available at selected dealers in Germany at a price of 6,000 euros incl. VAT. In the United States, it is available at a price of 6.000 US-Dollars excl. tax. Orders are possible starting from now on.

More info on Zeiss’ website.