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Zeiss' full-frame compact camera finally available to pre-order for $6,000

The "Shoot, Edit, Share" camera hasn't been seen much since it launched in 2018.

Carl Zeiss AG

Zeiss’ full-frame compact ZX1 compact full-frame camera debuted in 2018 with built-in Lightroom CC and other unusual features, but we’ve barely heard a peep about it since. Now, the camera has suddenly gone on pre-order for $6,000 at B&H Photo, nearly two years after it was supposed to go on sale (via DPReview).

The ZX1 has high-end specs for a compact, including a 37.4-megapixel sensor, 35mm fixed Zeiss Distagon F/2 lens, 255 area autofocus (B&H Photo doesn’t specify which type) and a 4.3-inch 1,280 x 720 pixel display. You can use the latter to run a version of Adobe Lightroom CC, though you’ll need a subscription if you want to share edited images to a desktop app, according to the Q&A. It also comes with a WiFi, Bluetooth and a USB Type-C interface so you can transfer and and upload your files to cloud services.

Zeiss full-frame compact ZX1
Zeiss full-frame compact ZX1 (Zeiss)

All of that sounds fine, but it’s not clear who’s clamoring for a exotic-looking, connected full-frame compact camera, especially one that costs $6,000. As a point of comparison, Sony’s RX1 was considered incredibly expensive at $3,300 in 2015, and Leica’s full-frame compact Q2 has a 47-megapixel sensor and actually costs less at $5,000.

Hopefully Zeiss will be able to answer more questions about it soon or, better still, let us get our hands on one. B&H Photo has yet to specify a release date, and the store is closed for holidays until October 11th.