Sony ZV-1 Review
Introduction
For years a significant number of Sony RX100 users have requested certain extra features that would increase its capabilities for video use. Sony has finally listened to those requests, but instead of adding them to the RX100 a brand new camera has been created, and presumably an entirely new camera range with the Sony ZV-1, which Sony are describing as a ‘Vlog’ camera ‘designed for creators’.
A glance at the features of the ZV-1 shows that it shares much of its DNA with the Sony RX100 VA. Both cameras share the same 20-million-pixel 1-inch size BSI sensor, Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T8 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 equivalent lens and NP-BX1 battery, so as you can imagine, many of the specifications are identical. However, with just a few key areas of difference, Sony has switched the technology so that the ZV-1 has a clear focus on video, with still photography very much in the backseat.
The attraction of the RX100 for videography is its compact size, 4K video shooting, fast autofocus, 1-inch sensor and ability to shoot the same video Picture Profiles as its A7-series bigger brothers. Whilst the RX100 VII introduced a microphone socket for the first time in the RX100 series, it lacks a hot-shoe mount to actually mount a microphone. Part of the reason for not having a hot-shoe is that the RX100 series cameras have a flip-up front facing screen, which would be blocked by any mounted microphone. As well as this the RX100 has limited space on its top plate due to a built-in flash and a pop-up electronic viewfinder.
So along comes the ZV-1 with a microphone socket, a hot-shoe on the top, and a screen which flips out to the side. Gone is the pop-up flash and the small electronic viewfinder found on the RX100 cameras. The loss of these features is presumably as much a cost saving measure as it is space saving; the ZV-1 costs around £700 / $800, roughly the same as the RX100 VA, but significantly cheaper than the flagship £1200 / $1300 RX100 VII.
With some of the appealing features for photographers gone, but some great features for videographers added, just how easy is the ZV-1 to use as a photographer and as a vlogger?
Ease of Use
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| Front of the Sony ZV-1 |
When considering the Sony ZV-1 it’s important to understand exactly who it is for. In a world of Instagram Stories, YouTube and TikTok, Sony has created a camera that is designed to appeal to creators who want more quality and flexibility than they would get from shooting with a smartphone or action camera. The aim has been to produce a camera that can shoot video clips of high quality, with little fuss, with all the photo features of the RX100 series so that users can still take those amazing travel photos for Instagram.
Side by side the ZV-1 looks like a slightly bloated version of the RX100; it is a millimetre or two larger in every dimension, which accentuates the rounded edges of the camera. Hold the ZV-1 and another major change comes apparent - it has a plastic, or polycarbonate, body, as opposed to the all metal design of the RX100. Again, I would imagine this has been done to keep the cost of the camera down, but in hand the body seems solid; all the components fit very nicely together, there are no creaks or weak looking joints, with everything very well designed and assembled.
The rear of the camera is almost identical to the RX100 series, with the familiar directional control dial placed around a central selection button. Around this sit 4 other buttons to access regularly used features. What has changed is the placement of the video recording button. This has moved from being a small, hard to press, button on the top-right of the rear of the RX100, to a much more prominent position of the top-plate of the ZV-1. This allows the ZV-1 to have a much larger, and very welcome, rubberised thumb grip.
Finally on the rear is the 3-inch, 921,000 dot LCD screen. This is now hinged to the side of the camera and it offers 180 degree rotation, meaning it can be folded to the side, then flipped to face forward for vlogging or self-portraits (or selfies as they are now known), as well as being able to fold the screen in to the camera body to offer protection when you just want to carry the camera loose in a bag or pocket.
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| Rear of the Sony ZV-1 |
On the side of the ZV-1 sit its three external ports - HDMI, Micro USB and that all important 3.5mm microphone input. The HDMI-out allows for external video recording which will allow you to squeeze every bit of detail out of the 1inch sensor, although attaching any external device kind of defeats the point of this being a small vlogging camera. Still, it is a useful option to have if only to playback video or images directly from the camera.
The Micro USB socket allows for power to be supplied to both keep the ZV-1 going with a battery installed, or to charge the battery when the camera is not in use. It’s an extremely useful feature to have given the NP-BX1 batteries are quite small and those planning to shoot video would be advised to purchase a few, or having a USB battery on standby. Under testing conditions the battery life is quoted as being between 45-75mins, depending on how many other operations you are doing, zooming, power the camera on and off etc. Taking into account reviewing images and video, zooming in and out, having the screen on whilst not recording and taking still images, I would expect real world usage to be below the 45mins quoted. It’s worth mention here that the maximum record time for a single continuous video clip is the usual 29mins 59 secs to avoid extra levies placed on European camcorder imports.
Once again, we can only assume that it is a cost-saving measure to still be using a USB 2.0 Micro USB rather than a USB-C socket in 2020. Sony does now use USB-C on its latest A7 and A9 cameras, but only for data transfer and not for power. The ZV-1 could have really made use of USB-C as it could have acted as another audio interface for the camera, allowing headphones to be used, much as Fujifilm has done with its X-T3 and X-T4 cameras.
Internal Microphone Audio Test
It’s on the top of the camera where there are the most notable differences from the RX100 range. As mentioned, the pop-up flash and pop-up EVF are gone, replaced instead with a large three-capsule direction microphone, and a Multi Interface hot-shoe.
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| Top of the Sony ZV-1 |
The shoe allows for any standard accessories to be mounted, with microphones and LED lights the most obvious. However, the Multi Interface part allows for compatible to Sony accessories to work intelligently with the camera and also draw power where needed. I successfully mounted and used the Sony HVL-F43M flash to the camera, which operated perfectly. It is obviously hideously oversized for the ZV-1, and is not something I would recommend using, but at a push, it does mean that you can mount and use Sony flashguns. The Sony ECM-XYST1M stereo microphone can also be used, with the audio sent through the Multi Shoe rather than requiring a 3.5mm cable to be plugged into the side of the camera.
Another change from the RX100 to the ZV-1 is the removal of the ‘Mode’ dial, which has been replaced with a Mode button next to the camera power button. This may seem a big change, but knowing photographers behaviour this is a rarely used dial, which will largely be set in the same position depending on the photographer’s preferred mode. It takes a second or two longer to switch modes using the button, but it certainly isn’t a deal breaker.
As well as the shutter and zoom control toggle, the top-plate also sees the addition of the video record button. This is much larger than the small button found on the RX100 cameras, and it is marked with a red ring to easily identify it against the shutter button.
Background Defocus Mode
Finally on the top there is the Background Defocus button. For vloggers the aim of this button is to switch between having the background blurred or clear. In photographic terms it is switching the aperture between the largest available for the focal length (so between f/1.8 and f/2.8) and f/5.6. It is a useful button to have available for video, but even for photography it is something I would use to make the quick aperture change.
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| Tilting LCD Screen |
Sadly, the control ring that is found around the lens of the RX100 series cameras is gone. This could be used to change a number of different things, from the focusing or zooming of the lens, to the aperture. Again, I’m sure this must have been largely to keep costs down, and possibility to keep the controls of the ZV-1 as simple as possible.
With the lack of a mode dial and the lens control dial, it does take a little longer to switch between some of the settings of the ZV-1 compared to an RX100 series camera. Thankfully the function button on the rear of the camera operates in exactly the same was as it does on the RX100 and A7 series cameras, so you can use it to quickly access features you will need the most, such as white balance, Picture Style and the AF settings.
Product Showcase Mode
The ‘Trash’ button also acts as the ‘C2’ custom button, which by default is set to access the Product Showcase mode. This is an autofocus mode that alerts the camera to switch focus from a person’s face to an object that may be held up in front of the camera. It is a popular YouTube technique for when wanting to show an item to the viewer, but on cameras with slower autofocus it can leave the focus fixed on the presenter’s face with the product out of focus, and vice versa. The Product Showcase mode solves that issue, adding another plus point for vlogging with the ZV-1.
The menu system of the ZV-1 is identical to other Sony cameras, so existing users will have no problem navigating it, whilst those less familiar may find the odd item in a curious location. Most usefully the option to customise the Function Button Quick menu remains, and it can have two different versions depending on whether you are shooting stills or video. There is also the MyMenu screen, where you can add any other the Menu settings to your own personalised Menu Screen, and there is also the option to make this the default screen that pops up when the Menu button is pressed. So although there is an almost overwhelming amount of features in the ZV-1, between the Function Menu and the My Menu you should be able to access everything you need quickly and efficiently.
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| Wind Muff Fitted |
If you are familiar with the autofocus settings of the Sony A7 cameras you will be pleasantly surprised by the options found on the ZV-1. Basically all of the AF features found on the recent A7 and A9 series cameras are found on the ZV-1. There is a Hybrid AF sensor that utilises up to 315-phase detection points, and 425-contrast detection points. The phase detection AF allows for the fast and smooth subject tracking, along with Face Detection AF. However, the winning feature is EyeAF which detects a human eye, not only when shooting still images, but also when shooting video, and it works extremely well. It is visibly fast enough to follow an eye around the screen, and you can even select which eye you wish to focus on, just like on recent A7 cameras.
And so on to the key part of the ZV-1, its video features. As with the AF features, the ZV-1 is like a miniature version of the A7 series cameras. Virtually all of the video settings that are found much further up in the range are here. Video can be recorded in 4K resolution at up to 30fps, whilst Full HD can be shot at up to 100/120fps depending on whether you are shoot PAL or NTSC format.
There are also the HFR modes where you can shoot at 250, 500 or 1000fps, with footage then saved at 25fps for super slow motion playback. It should be noted that although the HFR video is saved at the Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, it is upscaled from a much smaller recorded resolution; in the case of 1000fps this may be as low as 912 x 308. The length of time you can record a clip is also restricted to just a few seconds depending on the chosen frame rate and whether you choose the Quality or Time mode. Either way, it is long enough to create fascinating super slow motion footage, but for most users the 100 or 120fps modes will be more than enough and be better quality.
All of the Picture Profiles are present and correct, meaning you can match the footage shot with the ZV-1 with cameras such as the A7 III, making it an ideal accompaniment for those who may be using those cameras in more of a studio environment. Proxy recording is available, allowing low resolution 1280 x 720 resolution footage to be recorded alongside 4K or Full HD footage. This is great for those who may be editing video on older computers. Simply edit using the lower resolution proxy files, then switch to the full resolution 4K files when it comes to the fine fine-tuning and export.
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| Battery / Memory Card |
A feature that Sony removed in the RX100 VI and RX100 VII makes a welcome return and that is the built-in ND filter. This 3EV filter will help you to shoot at larger apertures on bright days, which is extremely useful when shooting video and trying to stick to the shutter speed being double the frame rate rule. For example at 25fps the ideal shutter speed is 1/50th sec. If you want to create a shallow depth of field on a bright sunny day you would be hard pushed to do this, but turning the ND filter on will darken up the image just enough to allow an aperture 3 stops larger to be used, helping to create a shallower depth of field.
For photographers you may be able to get a slightly blurred effect on running water on a dark overcast day if you make the aperture as small as possible, but don’t expect it to enable you to take extremely long exposures. The ND filter can be easily switched on or off from the quick menu, or it can be set to auto when it will help you to achieve you desired settings when needed. It's an extremely useful feature to have.
Standard Steadyshot Mode
Active Steadyshot Mode
In regards to stabilisation, there is Optical Steadyshot built-in to the lens. This will give you a couple of stops extra to play with when taking still images, and it will smooth out the lightest of movements when shooting video. There is the option to switch on Active SteadyShot in video, which is a digital form of stabilisation. This crops in to the image slightly to give the camera so digitally move the image frame around to compensate for any larger movements. It works very well, creating very stable footage when handholding and taking out all but the heaviest of footsteps when walking. The catch is that because of the slight crop, if you are vlogging your face will appear larger when in the frame. I would suggest only using it when walking or zooming in to show something, and when presenting to camera stick to using the Standard Steadyshot mode.
With the option to add an external microphone or an LED light, or even a handle, to the hot-shoe, the ZV-1 is a very capable video camera that I’m sure will find an immediate home amongst the vlogging community, particularly those users who are currently using A7 III cameras. The 4K image quality is crisp and clear, the Picture Profiles enable you to shoot S-Log footage, as well as all of the Cine styles, so it should be easy to find and create a style that you like that works across a variety of Sony cameras.
Image Quality
All of the sample images in this review were taken using the 20 megapixel SuperFine JPEG setting, which produces an average image size of around 7Mb.
With the stacked sensor from the ZV-1 being used in multiple Sony RX100 cameras, it is very much a known quantity and existing users should know what to expect.
As a backside illuminated sensor, most of the circuitry of the sensor is found behind the photosites, which maximises the light gathering capabilities and makes it an impressive sensor given its 1” size. And with this circuitry directly on the sensor it enables the camera to shoot at up to 24fps.
With a sensitivity range of between ISO 125 and 12,800, it has a good range for a compact camera, without going to the extremely high settings that would be pushing the sensor too far. What I usually do for most cameras is to avoid the highest two sensitivity settings unless you really have no choice but to use them, and this applies here.
There are also two lower sensitivities of ISO 80 and ISO 100, however these offer no improved image quality as are merely using the the native ISO 125 setting, increasing the exposure time and then adjusting the signal gain to darken the image. The result is that although it will allow for slower shutter speeds or a larger aperture to be used, there is a reduced dynamic range due to the highlights tending to clip more easily.
Throughout the entire range the default noise reduction settings for JPEG images reduce both luminance and colour noise. Personally I feel that the luminance noise reduction is a little heavy handed when you start to reach settings around ISO 1600; I would prefer a little more detail and luminance noise than the slight blur that is applied when luminance noise is reduced. That said there is plenty of detail at lower ISO sensitivities, particularly if you adjust the raw files.
Colour noise is well reduced throughout the cameras range with the colour noise reduction set to Normal by default. There is some loss of colour saturation at higher sensitivity so I may be inclined to change the setting to ‘Low’ in some circumstances, particularly if shooting on a bright sunny day rather than in low light.
For a compact camera the 1-inch sensor obviously has an advantage over standard compact or smartphone size sensor with more detail and less noise, though you still need to consider that this isn’t an APS-C or Full frame sensor, so sticking to the lower sensitivities is always going to produce the best results.
If I was setting the Auto ISO range so I didn’t have to think too much about setting the sensitivity, I would set the upper limit at ISO 3200, which I find still produces enough detail. I’d reserve the highest two settings for when they were really needed, which given the f/1.8 maximum aperture, probably won’t be too often.
With raw files there is obviously more flexibility to tweak the noise and sharpness to your own particular taste. I was unable to try the raw files of the ZV-1 with Adobe Camera Raw or Lightroom as the camera isn’t supported at the time of writing this. However, I could use Sony’s Image Edge Desktop software to view and edit raw files. As expected there was some more detail you can tweak from the raw files by adjusting the sharpness and lowering the luminance noise reduction slightly.
Noise
The Sony ZV-1 has eight sensitivity settings at full resolution ranging from ISO 125 to ISO 12800. Here are some 100% crops which show the noise levels for each ISO setting for both JPEG and Raw formats.
| JPEG | Raw |
ISO 125 (100% Crop) |
ISO 125 (100% Crop) |
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ISO 200 (100% Crop) |
ISO 200 (100% Crop) |
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ISO 400 (100% Crop) |
ISO 400 (100% Crop) |
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ISO 800 (100% Crop) |
ISO 800 (100% Crop) |
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ISO 1600 (100% Crop) |
ISO 1600 (100% Crop) |
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ISO 3200 (100% Crop) |
ISO 3200 (100% Crop) |
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ISO 6400 (100% Crop) |
ISO 6400 (100% Crop) |
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ISO 12800 (100% Crop) |
ISO 12800 (100% Crop) |
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Chromatic Aberrations
The Sony ZV-1 handled chromatic aberrations very well during the review, with some purple fringing present around the edges of objects in high-contrast situations, as shown in the examples below.
Macro
The Sony ZV-1 allows you to focus on a subject that is 5cms away from the camera when the lens is set to wide-angle.
f/1.8
f/8
Night
The Sony ZV-1's maximum shutter speed is 30 seconds in the Manual shooting mode, which is great news if you're seriously interested in night photography.
Dynamic Range
Again, the advantage of a 1-inch sensor compared to a standard smartphone or compact sensor means the ZV-1 offers a good dynamic range, though obviously it can’t quite match that of an APS-C or full frame sensor. There is detail that can be recovered from highlight and shadow areas when you switch to shooting raw images, though you do have to keep an eye on noise being introduced.
Sony has employed its usual Dynamic Range Optimiser feature in the ZV-1. This has 7 different settings Off, Auto and levels 1-5. When in this mode the exposure is adjusted to retain highlight detail, with the curve on the shadow areas adjusted to lighten them to maximise the dynamic range available. I found the DRO feature to work well, with Level 3 or 4 being my preferred setting when I was using it.
In-camera HDR is also available, and in good light and a steady hand you can use this feature handheld.
Dynamic Range Optimiser Off
Dynamic Range Optimiser Level 5
Picture Styles
All of Sony’s usual colour presets are available, from Standard to portrait and landscape, and there are also the more specific Deep, Sunset and Autumn styles.
In addition any of the Picture Profile settings, that are really designed for video, can be used as image profiles. These can be customised and go way beyond the standard contrast and saturation settings that are usually found when editing in-camera image profiles. Users can adjust the black and white points, individual colour strength, contrast and many more options. If you shoot JPEG images only I would highly recommend taking the time to play with the picture profiles settings as it will offer you the ability to really fine-tune what you can get from the camera, although the settings aren’t always the easiest to get your head round. Raw shooters may also get some use out of trying to use it to shoot a low contrast setting so they can see what they will have to play with when editing their raw images.
Standard |
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Vivid |
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Landscape |
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Portrait |
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Sunset |
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Black and White |
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Sepia |
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PP1 |
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PP2 |
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PP3 |
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PP4 |
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PP5 |
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PP6 |
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PP7 |
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PP8 |
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PP9 |
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PP10 |
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Sample Images
This is a selection of sample images from the Sony ZV-1 camera, which were all taken using the 20 megapixel SuperFine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.
1/80s · f/5.6 · ISO 320
70mm
Download Original
1/30s · f/6.3 · ISO 640
24mm
Download Original
1/320s · f/4.5 · ISO 125
70mm
Download Original
1/50s · f/2.8 · ISO 640
48mm
Download Original
1/500s · f/2.8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download Original
1/125s · f/1.8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download Original
1/160s · f/1.8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download Original
1/160s · f/8 · ISO 400
70mm
Download Original
1/1000s · f/2.8 · ISO 400
47mm
Download Original
1/50s · f/10 · ISO 1000
42mm
Download Original
1/25s · f/5.6 · ISO 400
38mm
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1/4s · f/1.8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download Original
1/125s · f/5.6 · ISO 125
47mm
Download Original
1/1250s · f/2.8 · ISO 125
70mm
Download Original
1/1250s · f/2.8 · ISO 125
49mm
Download Original
1/320s · f/3.5 · ISO 400
69mm
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1/40s · f/11 · ISO 125
24mm
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1/1250s · f/9 · ISO 400
61mm
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1/2000s · f/4 · ISO 400
24mm
Download Original
1/20s · f/10 · ISO 400
70mm
Download Original
1/30s · f/9 · ISO 125
48mm
Download Original
1/125s · f/2.8 · ISO 125
48mm
Download Original
1/2000s · f/4.5 · ISO 400
70mm
Download Original
1/2500s · f/4.5 · ISO 400
53mm
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1/4000s · f/4.5 · ISO 400
70mm
Download Original
1/4000s · f/4.5 · ISO 400
70mm
Download Original
1/1250s · f/1.8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download Original
1/60s · f/8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download Original
Sample RAW Images
The Sony ZV-1 enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Sony RAW (ARW) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).
1/500s · f/2.8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download original
1/125s · f/1.8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download original
1/160s · f/1.8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download original
1/160s · f/8 · ISO 400
70mm
Download original
1/1000s · f/2.8 · ISO 400
47mm
Download original
1/50s · f/10 · ISO 1000
42mm
Download original
1/25s · f/5.6 · ISO 400
38mm
Download original
1/4s · f/1.8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download original
1/125s · f/5.6 · ISO 125
47mm
Download original
1/1250s · f/2.8 · ISO 125
70mm
Download original
1/1250s · f/2.8 · ISO 125
49mm
Download original
1/320s · f/3.5 · ISO 400
69mm
Download original
1/40s · f/11 · ISO 125
24mm
Download original
1/1250s · f/9 · ISO 400
61mm
Download original
1/2000s · f/4 · ISO 400
24mm
Download original
1/20s · f/10 · ISO 400
70mm
Download original
1/30s · f/9 · ISO 125
48mm
Download original
1/125s · f/2.8 · ISO 125
48mm
Download original
1/2000s · f/4.5 · ISO 400
70mm
Download original
1/2500s · f/4.5 · ISO 400
53mm
Download original
1/4000s · f/4.5 · ISO 400
70mm
Download original
1/4000s · f/4.5 · ISO 400
70mm
Download original
1/1250s · f/1.8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download original
1/60s · f/8 · ISO 125
24mm
Download original
Sample Movies & Video
This is a sample movie at the quality setting of 1920x1080 at 25 frames per second. Please note that this 22 second movie is 112Mb in size.
This is a sample movie at the quality setting of 1920x1080 at 50 frames per second. Please note that this 21 second movie is 112Mb in size.
This is a sample movie at the quality setting of 1920x1080 at 100 frames per second. Please note that this 26 second movie is 308Mb in size.
This is a sample movie at the quality setting of 1920x1080 at 1000 frames per second. Please note that this 1 minute 14 second movie is 448Mb in size.
Product Images
Conclusion
A camera for vloggers may seem like a niche market, but with 300 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute, not to mention Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, video content creation is going through a boom period in much the same way digital photography did in the early 2000s.
At £700 / $800 the price of the Sony ZV-1 should be affordable to people who want it, and given many of the features of the camera are the same as found in recent A7 series cameras, there is a lot of technology crammed in to a very portable body.
It has taken a few years, but Sony has finally answered the calls of videographers who have wanted to shoot with an RX100 style camera, and there is very little more to request. A slightly wider lens, USB-C socket to allow faster charging and headphone use, and possibly a larger battery would be the icing on the cake.
For photographers it has the same sensor as the recent RX100 cameras so should prove very popular. The controls aren’t quite as easy to use for photography as the RX100 cameras, but given that this is primarily a travel camera that will be used as a significant upgrade to a smartphone, there shouldn’t be the need to constantly be changing settings like there would with a DSLR or mirrorless.
With much of the technology and features the same, or at least operating in the same way, as recent A7 series cameras, Sony has created a small vlogging camera in the ZV-1 that is almost perfect with the technology currently available.
Sony ZV-1 vs Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
The Sony ZV-1 will go head to head with the Canon G7 X Mark III which was quietly released at the end of 2019. The G7 X III also features a 1-inch 20.1-million-pixel sensor that can shoot 4K video, and for vloggers and selfie lovers it has a front facing flip-up screen. The lens has a slightly longer focal length at 24-100, f/1.8-2.8, which may prove more useful for travel photographers. There is also a mic input, but sadly no hotshot to mount a microphone. The camera is in a similar price range to the ZV-1, costing around £675.
Sony ZV-1 vs Panasonic Lumix G100
Just announced at the time of writing and soon to be reviewed by us, the G100 is Panasonic’s answer to the need for a Micro Four Thirds vlogging camera. It has a 20.3-million-pixel Four Thirds sensor, and comes in at £679 with the 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 mm lens, which roughly matches the field of view as the ZV-1. As part of the MFT system you can obviously mount different lenses which offers flexibility, plus it has an impressive 3.89M equivalent dot EVF, which means photographers should enjoy using the camera. However, the most unique selling point is the in-camera microphones. By using a series of three directional microphones the camera can combine the audio with face detection technology to use the microphone best placed to record the person pictures, whilst using the other microphones to do some noise-cancelling tricks to reduce background noise. There is of course 4K video capture, as well 120FPS for Full HD, V-Log for those that want to colour grade their footage, and an external mic socket.
Sony ZV-1 vs DJI Osmo Pocket
This tiny camera has 3-axis stabilisation thanks to its gimbal design, as well as a tiny display. However, it can connect to your smartphone to offer a huge display and a wealth of extra features. You can shoot in 4K and create motion timelapses by utilising the motors in the gimbal. Whilst its smartphone size image sensor may not produce the best quality in terms of dynamic range, its size and other features, including the ability to use an external mic via a USB-C adapter, means it has a lot that will appeal to vloggers.
| Ratings (out of 5) | |
|---|---|
| Design | 4.5 |
| Features | 5 |
| Ease-of-use | 4.5 |
| Image quality | 5 |
| Value for money | 5 |
Main Rivals
Listed below are some of the rivals of the Sony ZV-1.
Apple iPhone 11 Pro
Another year, another new flagship phone from Apple, this time introducing a new triple camera system, night mode and improved battery life. Is the iPhone 11 Pro the best smartphone that Apple have ever released, and can it beat the Android competition? Read our iPhone 11 Pro review to find out, complete with full-size sample images and videos.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
Canon's PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a brand new compact camera that offers a lot of bang for your buck, for both stills photographers and vloggers alike. Find out just what the latest generation of this camera is capable of by reading our in-depth Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III review, complete with full-size sample JPEG and Raw images...
Fujifilm X-T200
Bridging the gap between complete photography beginner and more experienced enthusiast has often proved to be a tricky task for camera manufacturers. The new Fujifilm X-T200 aims to do exactly that, sitting between the entry-level X-A7 and the higher-end X-T30 in Fuji's mirrorless camera range. Does it succeed in appealing to two quite different kinds of user? Find out now by reading our in-depth Fujifilm X-T200 review, complete with full-size sample images and videos.
Google Pixel 4
The Pixel 4 is Google's new flagship smartphone, available in standard and XL sizes. New for this generation is a second 16-megapixel 2x telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture, along with improved portrait and night modes. Is this the best Pixel phone for keen photographers, and can it compete with its main rivals? Find out now by reading our Pixel 4 review, with full-size sample images and videos...
Huawei P40 Pro
The P40 Pro is Huawei's new flagship smartphone for 2020. Featuring a 6.58-inch screen, 50 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom lens and 4K video recording, can it overcome its much-publicized lack of Google App support? Find out now by reading our in-depth Huawei P40 Pro review, complete with full-size sample images and videos...
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
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Review Roundup
Reviews of the Sony ZV-1 from around the web.
digitalcameraworld.com »
Some might dismiss the ZV-1 as yet another Sony RX100 variant, but it’s much more than that. The sensor and lens might be familiar, but the body, the controls, the audio and the rear screen are all new and different and optimised brilliantly for vlogging.
Read the full review »
techradar.com »
The Sony ZV-1 is the best compact vlogging camera you can buy. Its mix of a bright lens, superb autofocus and design tweaks like the side-flipping screen make it a powerful pocket video option with few peers. Those seeking super-smooth walking footage might find its image stabilization a slight let-down, and it has a few familiar usability quirks, but the ZV-1 remains the best video all-rounder in its weight class.
Read the full review »
pocket-lint.com »
Sony's latest camera is nimble, lightweight and powerful. With its advanced processing capabilities, fast auto focus and real-time tracking combined with the impressively clear audio capture and the useful flip-out screen, it really is a great option for vloggers.
Read the full review »
amateurphotographer.co.uk »
Ever since Sony introduced its original RX100 in 2012, the firm has tended to refine its premium enthusiast-focused compact camera on an annual basis. But with six variants currently on the market at prices ranging from £330 to £1200, this year it’s decided to do something different. With the new ZV-1, it’s repackaged technology from the RX100 line into a distinctly different design, that’s optimised for vloggers who are producing videos for YouTube.
Read the full review »
Specifications
Sensor
- SENSOR TYPE
- 1.0-type (13.2mm x 8.8mm) Exmor RS CMOS sensor, aspect ratio 3:2
- NUMBER OF PIXELS (EFFECTIVE)
- Approx. 20.1 Megapixels
Lens
- LENS TYPE
- ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* Lens, 10 elements in 9 groups (9 aspheric elements including AA lens)
- F-NUMBER (MAXIMUM APERTURE)
- F1.8 (W) - 2.8 (T)
- ND FILTER
- Auto / On (3 steps) / Off
- FOCAL LENGTH (F=)
- f=9.4-25.7mm
- ANGLE OF VIEW (35MM FORMAT EQUIVALENT)
- 84 deg. - 34 deg.（24-70mm)
- FOCUS RANGE (FROM THE FRONT OF THE LENS)
- AF (W: Approx. 5cm (0.17 ft.) to Infinity, T: Approx. 30cm (0.99 ft.) to Infinity)
- OPTICAL ZOOM
- 2.7x
- CLEAR IMAGE ZOOM (STILL IMAGE)
- 20M Approx. 5.8x / 10M Approx. 8.2x / 5.0M Approx. 11x / VGA Approx. 44x
- CLEAR IMAGE ZOOM (MOVIE)
- 4K: 4.35x,HD: Approx. 5.8x
- DIGITAL ZOOM (STILL IMAGE)
- 20M Approx.11x / 10M Approx.16x / 5.0M Approx.23x / VGA Approx.44x
- DIGITAL ZOOM (MOVIE)
- Digital Zoom Approx.11
Screen
- SCREEN TYPE
- 7.5cm (3.0 type) (4:3) / 921,600 dots / Xtra Fine / TFT LCD
- ADJUSTABLE ANGLE
- Opening Angle:approx. 176 deg., Rotation Angle:approx. 270 deg.
- DISPLAY SELECTOR (FINDER/LCD)
- -
- MF ASSIST MAGNIFICATION
- 5.3x, 10.7x
- TOUCH PANEL
- Yes
Camera
- IMAGE PROCESSING ENGINE
- Yes (BIONZ X)
- STEADYSHOT (STILL IMAGE)
- Optical
- STEADYSHOT (MOVIE)
- Yes (Optical type with electronic compensation, Anti Rolling type)
- FOCUS TYPE
- Fast Hybrid AF (phase-detection AF / contrast-detection AF)
- FOCUS MODE
- Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF, DMF, Manual Focus
- FOCUS AREA
- Wide (315 points (phase-detection AF), 425 points (contrast-detection AF)), Zone, Center, Flexible Spot (S/M/L), Expanded Flexible Spot, Tracking (Wide/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot(S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot)
- OBJECT TRACKING
- Yes (Tracking)
- EYE AF
- [Still images] Human (Right/Left Eye Select) / Animal, [Movie] Human (Right/Left Eye Select)
- LIGHT METERING MODE
- Multi Pattern, Center Weighted, Spot, Entire Screen Avg, Highlight
- EXPOSURE COMPENSATION
- +/- 3.0EV, 1/3EV step
- ISO SENSITIVITY (STILL IMAGE)(RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE INDEX)
- Auto (ISO100-12800, selectable with upper / lower limit), 100/125/160/200/250/320/400/500/640/800/1000/1250/1600/2000/2500/3200/4000/5000/6400/8000/10000/12800 (Extendable to ISO64/80), Multi-Frame NR: Auto (ISO100-12800), 100/ 200/400/800/1600/3200/6400/12800/25600
- ISO SENSITIVITY (MOVIE)
- Auto:(ISO125 Level-ISO12800 Level, selectable with upper / lower limit), 125/160/200/250/320/400/500/640/800/1000/1250/1600/2000/2500/3200/4000/5000/6400/8000/10000/12800
- WHITE BALANCE MODES
- Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluor.: Warm White, Fluor.: Cool White, Fluor.: Day White, Fluor.: Daylight, Flash, Underwater Auto, C.Temp./Filter, Custom
- WB MICRO ADJUSTMENT
- Yes (G7 to M7,57-step) (A7 to B7,29-step)
- SHUTTER SPEED
- iAuto (4" - 1/2000) / Program Auto (30" - 1/2000) / Manual (Bulb, 30" - 1/2000) / Aperture Priority (30" - 1/2000) / Shutter Priority (30" - 1/2000)
- ELECTRONIC SHUTTER
- iAuto (4" - 1/32000) / Program Auto (30" - 1/32000) / Manual (30" - 1/32000) / Aperture Priority (30" - 1/32000) / Shutter Priority (30" - 1/32000)
- APERTURE
- iAuto (F1.8/F11(W)) / Program Auto (F1.8/F11(W)) / Manual (F1.8/F11(W)) / Shutter Priority (F1.8/F11(W)) / Aperture Priority (F1.8/F11(W))
- IMAGE CONTROL
- Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness, Creative Style, Color Space (sRGB / Adobe RGB), Quality (RAW / RAW & JPEG (Extra fine, Fine, Standard) / JPEG (Extra fine, Fine, Standard)
- NOISE REDUCTION
- Long exposure NR: On/Off, available of shutter speeds longer than 1/3 sec., high ISO NR: Normal/Low/Off, Multi Frame NR: Auto, ISO100-25600
- DYNAMIC RANGE FUNCTIONS
- Off, Dynamic Range Optimizer (Auto/Level 1-5), Auto High Dynamic Range (Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1.0-6.0EV, 1.0EV step))
- SHOOTING MODE
- AUTO (Intelligent Auto), Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, Manual Exposure, MR (Memory Recall) [body 3 sets / memory card 4 sets], Movie Mode (Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, Manual Exposure), Movie AUTO (Intelligent Auto), HFR Mode (Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, Manual Exposure), Panorama, Scene Selection
- SCENE SELECTION
- Portrait, Sports Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Handheld Twilight, Night Portrait, Anti Motion Blur, Pet Mode, Gourmet, Fireworks, High Sensitivity
- CONTINUOUS SHOOTING SPEED (MAXIMUM) (WITH MAX. RECORDING PIXELS)
- Continuous Shooting Hi: approx. 24 fps, Continuous Shooting Mid: approx. 10 fps, Continuous Shooting Low: approx. 3.0 fps
- SELF-TIMER
- 10sec. / 5sec. / 2sec. / 3 or 5 consecutive shots with 10sec. 5sec. or 2sec. delay selectable / Bracketing shots with 10sec. 5sec. or 2sec. delay selectable
- DRIVE MODES
- Single, Continuous shooting, Self-timer, Self-timer(cont.), Cont.-bracketing , Single-bracketing , White balance bracketing , DRO bracketing
- INTERVAL REC
- Yes (1-60 sec. interval, 1-9999 shots, AE lock/AE tracking (High/Mid/Low))
- PANORAMA (SHOOTING)
- Sweep Panorama
- PICTURE EFFECT
- [Still Image]: Toy camera, Pop Color, Posterization, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Color, High Contrast Mono., Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Richtone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, Illustration, [Movie]: Toy camera, Pop Color, Posterization, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Color, High Contrast Mono.
- CREATIVE STYLE
- Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Black & White, Sepia
- PICTURE PROFILE
- off/PP1-PP10 (Black Level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-2, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1, HLG2, HLG3), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset)
- NUMBER OF RECOGNISED SCENES
- Still Image: iAuto: 33, Movie: off/PP1-PP10 (Black Level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-2, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1, HLG2, HLG3), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset)
Flash
- FLASH MODE
- Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Rear Sync / Flash Off
- FLASH TYPE
- -
- AF ILLUMINATOR
- -
- BRACKETING
- -
Recording
- COMPATIBLE RECORDING MEDIA
- [XAVC S (100Mbps)] SDXC/SDHC Memory Card (UHS-I U3 or higher); [XAVC S (60Mbps/50Mbps)] SDXC/SDHC Memory Card (Class 10 or higher); [AVCHD/Still image] Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick Micro , Memory Stick Micro(Mark2) , SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Card (Class 4 or higher), micro SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Card (Class 4 or higher)
- RECORDING FORMAT
- [Still Image]: JPEG (DCF Ver.2.0, Exif Ver.2.31, MPF Baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format), [Movie]: XAVC S, AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compatible
- RECORDING FORMAT (MOVIE AUDIO)
- XAVC S: LPCM 2ch, AVCHD: Dolby Digital (AC-3) 2ch (Dolby Digital Stereo Creator)
- COLOUR SPACE (STILL)
- sRGB, Adobe RGB
- DCF/DPOF
- DCF/DPOF/EXIF/MPF
- STILL IMAGE NUMBER OF RECORDED PIXELS (IMAGE SIZE)
- 3:2 mode: 20M (5,472×3,648) / 10M (3,888×2,592) / 5M (2,736×1,824), 4:3 mode: 18M (4,864×3,648) / 10M (3,648×2,736) / 5M (2,592×1,944) / VGA, 16:9 mode: 17M (5,472×3,080) / 7.5M (3,648×2,056) / 4.2M (2,720×1,528), 1:1 mode: 13M (3,648×3,648) / 6.5M (2,544×2,544) / 3.7M (1,920×1,920), Sweep Panorama: Wide (12,416×1,856/5,536×2,160), Standard (8,192×1,856/3,872×2,160)
- MOVIE RECORDING MODE (NTSC)
- NTSC/PAL Selector: [NTSC] AVCHD: 24M FX (1,920x1,080/60i) / 17M FH(1,920x1,080/60i), XAVC S 4K: 30p 100M (3,840x2,160/30p) / 30p 60M (3,840x2,160/30p) / 24p 100M (3,840x2,160/24p) / 24p 60M (3,840x2,160/24p), XAV C S HD:60p 50M (1,920x1,080/60p) / 60p 25M (1,920x1,080/60p) / 30p 50M (1,920x1,080/30p) / 30p 16M (1,920x1,080/30p) / 24p 50M (1,920x1,080/24p) / 120p 100M (1,920x1,080/120p) / 120p 60M (1,920x1,080/120p)
- MOVIE RECORDING MODE (PAL)
- NTSC/PAL Selector: [PAL] mode AVCHD: 24M FX (1,920x1,080/50i) / 17M FH (1,920x1,080/50i), XAVC S 4K: 25p 100M (3,840x2,160/25p) / 25p 60M (3,840x2,160/25p), XAVC S HD: 50p 50M (1,920x1,080/50p) / 50p 25M (1,920x1,080/50p) / 25p 50M (1,920x1,080/25p) / 25p 16M (1,920x1,080/25p) / 100p 100M (1,920x1,080/100p) / 100p 60M (1,920x1,080/100p)
- HFR
- Recording: NTSC/PAL Selector: [PAL] mode XAVC S HD: 50p 50M (1,920x1,080/250fps), 50p 50M (1,920x1,080/500fps), 50p 50M (1,920x1,080/1000fps) / 25p 50M (1,920x1,080/250fps), 25p 50M (1,920x1,080/500fps), 25p 50M (1,920x1,080/1000fps), NTSC/PAL Selector: [NTSC] mode XAVC S HD: 60p 50M (1,920x1,080/240fps), 60p 50M (1,920x1,080/480fps), 60p 50M (1,920x1,080/960fps) / 30p 50M (1,920x1,080/240fps), 30p 50M (1,920x1,080/480fps), 30p 50M (1,920x1,080/960fps) / 24p 50M (1,920x1,080/240fps), 24p 50M (1,920x1,080/480fps), 24p 50M (1,920x1,080/960fps) Sensor Readout Number of effective pixels: Quality Priority: 240fps/250fps (1,824x1,026), 480fps/500fps (1,824x616), 960fps/1000fps (1,244x420)/ Shoot Time Priority: 240fps/250fps (1,824x616), 480fps/500fps (1,292x436), 960fps/1000fps (912x308)
- STILL IMAGE NUMBER OF RECORDED PIXELS (IMAGE SIZE) DURING MOVIE
- 16:9 mode: 17M (5,472×3,080) / 7.5M (3,648×2,056) / 4.2M (2,720×1,528)
- PROXY RECORDING
- Yes (1280 x 720 (Approx. 9Mbps))
Interface
- INPUT AND OUTPUT TERMINALS
- Multi/Micro USB Terminal*15, Hi-Speed USB (USB2.0), Micro HDMI, Microphone jack (3.5mm Stereo mini jack), Multi Interface Shoe
- NFC
- -
- WI-FI
- Yes (IEEE802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz band))
- INTERFACES
- -
- BLUETOOTH
- Yes (Bluetooth Standard Ver. 4.1 (2.4GHz band))
Power
- POWER SOURCE
- DC3.6V (supplied battery)
- BATTERY SYSTEM
- Rechargeable battery pack NP-BX1
- POWER CONSUMPTION (CAMERA MODE)
- Approx. 2.1W with LCD monitor (CIPA standard)
- USB CHARGE/USB POWER SUPPLY
- Yes (Shooting, Playback)
- BATTERY LIFE(STILL IMAGES)(CIPA)
- Monitor: Approx. 260 / Approx. 130min., Monitor (When Auto Monitor off is set to 2sec): Approx. 410 / Approx. 205min.
- BATTERY LIFE(MOVIES ACTUAL SHOOTING)(CIPA)
- Monitor: Approx. 45min.
- BATTERY LIFE(MOVIES CONTINUOUS SHOOTING)(CIPA)
- Monitor: Approx. 75min.
Others
- PLAYMEMORIES CAMERA APPS
- -
- SHOOTING FUNCTIONS
- Product Showcase Set, Background Defocus, Face Detection, Face Registration, Still Image Recording (during movie recording), Smile shutter, Grid Line, Digital Level Gauge (pitch and roll), WB Bracket, DRO Bracketing, MF Assist, Peaking (Display:Off/On) (Level: High/Mid/Low) (Color: Red/Yellow/Blue/White), Zebra, Marker Display, Audio Rec Level, Audio Level Display, Step Zoom/Quick Zoom, Self-portrait timer, TC/UB, PC Remote Control, Gamma Disp. Assist, [Mov] AF Tracking Sensitivity, [Mov] AF Drive Speed, Set File Name, Touch Shutter/Touch Focus/Touch Tracking, My Menu, Soft Skin Effect
- PLAYBACK FUNCTIONS
- BRAVIA Sync (Control for HDMI), 9/25-frame index view, Auto Orientation, Slide Show, Forward/Rewind (Movie), Delete, Protect, Motion Shot Video, Beatuty Effect, Photo Capture, Rating, Automatic Image Rotation
- TRILUMINOS COLOR
- Yes
- 4K IMAGE OUTPUT
- Yes
- OPERATING TEMPERATURE
- 0 degrees C. - +40 degrees C. / 32 degrees F. - 104 degrees F.
- Exif Print,PRINT Image Matching (PIM3)
Size & Weight
- DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) (APPROX.)
- 105.5 x 60.0 x 43.5 mm (4 1/4in. × 2 3/8 in. × 1 3/4 in.)
- WEIGHT (CIPA COMPLIANT)
- Approx. 294g (10.4oz.)(Battery and Memory Card are included) / Approx. 267g (9.5oz.)(Body Only)
What's In The Box
- Rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-BX1), Micro USB cable, Wind Screen, Wind Screen Adaptor, Instruction Manual
News
The Sony ZV-1 is a completely new compact camera designed from the ground-up for vloggers. With the majority of 6-12 year old children now aspiring to be a vlogger, Sony feel that the time has come to launch a unique product that specifically caters to the needs of YouTube creators.
Sony want you to use the ZV1 instead of a smartphone - apparently 73% of vloggers currently use a phone. Sony claim that you can get better professional quality video with smooth bokeh by simply hitting the dedicated Bokeh button on top of the camera. The ZV1 changes the physical aperture to do this, making it as wide as possible, and uses ND filter too, rather than simulating the effect.
Sony also point out that the selfie cameras on mobiles are usually the worst quality,another advantage for the ZV1, while the large windshield on top of the Z-V1 and the mic input on the side combine to provide much better audio.
Finally, the Sony ZV1 has built-in wi-fi/bluetooth and apps for sharing to mobile phone, including a proxy option for quicker lower-quality sharing.
Available in the first week of June, it will be competitively priced at £700 in the UK, almost half the price of the RX100 VII, making it a great B-camera for the A7-series.
The GP-VPT2BT Bluetooth wireless remote commander will be available in the UK for half-price at launch. It features a C1 button which can turn also turn on the ZV1's Bokeh function.
Auto-focusing
The Sony ZV1 will feature Fast Hybrid Auto Focus, with 315 phase AF points and contrast AF and with changeable focus speed and sensitivity. The camera quickly switches between the main subject and the background if the subject leaves the frame.
Sony's renowned Real-time Eye AF for video for stable eye tracking is on-board, along with the brand-new Face Priority AE technology, which sets the auto-exposure based on a face, therefore always keeping faces bright even in dim/dark conditions. The ZV1 also features new skin tone optimisations and enhanced colour reproduction for faces.
Image Stabilisation
SteadyShot Active Mode is a brand new stabilisation mode that's apparently 11x better than standard OIS, which works in both 4K and 1080p shooting modes.
Audio
A directional 3-capsule microphone for 3-channel sound is found on top of the ZV1. It also sports a wind reduction design with a detachable Dead Cat wind shield provided in the box. Clear voice isolation is great for recording your voice and not the background, and there's also a dedicated hotshoe for an external microphone.
Easy to Use
The Sony Z-V1 is designed to be easy to operate, even for complete beginners. There's a dedicated C1 button for switching between Bokeh and Clear backgrounds, and another button for the the unique Product Showcase function which automatically shifts the focus to things that you hold up to the camera in just 0.03sec.
The ZV1 weighs a mere 294g and features a prominent body grip for a comfortable hold. There's a large movie button on the top and a record light on the front of the camera (can be turned off).
ND Filter
The Sony Z-V1 has a 2-stop ND filter built-in, which can work automatically and is very important for video to achieve the correct shutter speed.
Tilting LCD Screen
The 180-degree screen can be twisted up and down and sideways, folded in to protect it when not in use, an can also be used to turn the camera on and off.
Pro Features
The Sony ZV1 is not just for beginners - there's a whole host of features aimed at pros, including picture presets including S-log profiles (both S-Log2 and S-Log3), HLG format video, and super slow-motion and timelapse modes.
Software
The Sony Z-V1 offers easy sharing with your smartphone via the Imaging Edge Mobile app, youcan use the Movie Edit add-on app to edit your footage, and the Imaging Edge Desktop software is also available.
Battery Life
Battery life is quoted at 45 minutes for recording video. You can optionally power the camera out in the field via a USB powerbank, or simply swap in another battery.
Video Format
The Sony Z-V records MP4 /AVCS format video with no recording limits at all based on either EU tax rules or heat. There is no pixel binning, with a 1.7x crop applied from 14 megapixels to 8 megapixels for 4K. There's also a vertical video shooting mode for Instagram and TikTok.
Stills Photography
The ZV1 uses exactly the same sensor as the RX100 series with 20.1 megapixels, the same Bionz X processor from the RX100 VII,and the same 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 lens from the RX100 IV. The ISO range runs from 80-12800.
Sony Press Release
Sony Expands Range of Vlogging Solutions with Introduction of Vlog Camera ZV-1 and FDR-AX43 Compact 4K Handycam
Vlog Camera ZV-1 introduces a newly developed concept specifically addressing the needs of video content creators and AX43 is a new compact 4K Handycam with advanced image stabilisation technologies
Sony today announced the new pocket-sized vlog camera ZV-1 (hereafter referred to as ZV-1) – a lightweight, compact “all-in-one” style solution. Designed from the ground up for content creators and vloggers, the ZV-1 combines easy-to-use features with uncompromising imaging technology, making this the perfect tool for any content creator at all skill levels.
“Sony’s new ZV-1 was purpose-built to meet the needs and demands of today’s video creators,” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe. “This camera is the result of direct feedback from our extended community who do not want to compromise with hybrid products, so we have designed this new model for those who put content creation first. It features an innovative design and introduces many new technologies, settings and modes that allow creators to make content in ways they have never been able to before. The ZV-1 aims to let the subject shine in any environment. Every single feature is optimised for any type of creator’s daily vlogging.”
The ZV-1 features a 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS® CMOS image sensor with DRAM chip and 24-70mm[i] F1.8-2.8 ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* large-aperture lens creating beautiful background bokeh (background blur), allowing the subject to stand out from the background. The camera locks on and tracks subjects with high accuracy and speed using Sony’s leading-edge autofocus system. The ZV-1 also includes the latest-generation BIONZ X™ image processor with front-end LSI delivering high resolution as well as low noise for superior image quality. It also combines this exceptional imaging technology with high-quality and versatile audio options. The ZV-1 is Sony’s first compact camera with a side-opening Vari-angle LCD touchscreen, making it easier to compose your shots in selfie mode while connecting external audio accessories. To meet any video need, the ZV-1 contains advanced video features including 4K movie recording[ii] and in-body image stabilisation.
Meeting the Needs of Today’s Content Creators
Quickly Switch Between two modes of Background Bokeh
The ZV-1 offers a simple solution to easily switch between two levels of background blur (bokeh) while recording. Using the new Bokeh Switch function, rapidly adjust the optical aperture between more and less background defocusing blur without losing focus on the subject. Located on top of the camera, this Bokeh button is easily accessible and makes self shooting a breeze.
Focus on the Subject You Want
The ZV-1 makes it easier than ever to shoot product reviews and similar video content. Gone are the days of placing a hand behind an object to prompt the camera to bring it into focus thanks to a new Product Showcase Setting, which allows for quick and smooth focus transitions between the subject’s face and the object placed in front of the lens.
Building on the leading-edge technology developed for α™ (Alpha™) and RX series cameras, this new compact camera includes advanced autofocus (AF) allowing it to lock on and track subjects with high accuracy and speed while recording. For maintaining focus on the intended subject or subjects in busy environments, Real-time Eye AF[iii] and Real-time Tracking for video allows the ZV-1 to stay locked on the subject’s eye / face or seamlessly switch focus between multiple subjects while controlling the AF speed and tracking sensitivity when needed.
Prioritise Your Face
Extreme changes in lighting, like walking outside on a sunny day and suddenly moving from a bright location into shade, are no problem for the ZV-1 thanks to the new Face Priority autoexposure (AE) function. It detects and prioritises the subject’s face and adjusts the exposure to ensure the face is depicted at an ideal brightness in any environment. This AE technology also suppresses an abrupt change in exposure if the subject quickly turns away from the frame to eliminate unexpected blown-out or extremely dark shots.
Natural Colour
The ZV-1 features advanced colour science re-engineered to optimise skin tones. To enhance emphasis on the subject’s face – especially when shooting in selfie mode – the ZV-1 creates a smooth and natural complexion, while also maintaining sharp images of the mouth and eyes in both videos and stills.
Crystal Clear Audio
High quality content requires clear, excellent audio quality, and the ZV-1 is well-equipped to produce just that with reliable and versatile audio options. The ZV-1’s onboard mic features Sony’s latest Directional 3-capsule Mic which was designed for forward-directional audio capture, allowing for clear capture of the subject’s voice while minimising background noise, especially when operating in selfie mode. For added flexibility, the ZV-1 also features a standard 35mm mic jack (3.5mm) and Multi Interface Shoe™ (MI shoe) making it easy to connect a wide range of external microphones. The ZV-1 is also supplied with a wind screen[iv] accessory that fits on the MI shoe to minimise wind interference.
Design and Functionality Optimised for Vlogging
The ZV-1 was designed with content creators and vloggers in mind. This compact, lightweight (approx. 294g / 105.5mm x 60.0mm x 43.5mm) camera is the first Sony compact camera with a side-opening Vari-angle LCD Screen, allowing creators to simplify their setup by utilising the MI shoe for optional external mics without the need of an additional mounting bracket.
Comfortably operate the ZV-1 with one hand thanks to the easy-to-hold comfortable grip and a large movie REC button located on the top of the camera for quick access to video recording, as well as a recording lamp on the front of the camera that indicates if the camera is actively recording.
The ZV-1 also includes major advances in image stabilisation, ensuring steady video even when shooting hand-held while walking. When recording in HD (Active mode), optical and electronic stabilisation methods are combined to reduce shaking up to 11 times[v] that of standard SteadyShot™. When shooting 4K video using Optical SteadyShot (Active mode), there is improvement in stabilisation effect of up to 8 times[vi] that of standard SteadyShot. The ZV-1 is also compatible with the GP-VPT2BT Shooting Grip with Wireless Remote Commander, offering additional stability and comfort combined with cable-free connectivity.
Class-Leading AV Features
Despite the small form factor there are a multitude of pro-level movie making capabilities, including:
• 4K movie recording with full pixel readout and no pixel binning in high bit rate XAVC S™ codec.[vii]
• Industry standard 3.5mm microphone input
• Hybrid Log-Gamma (HDR)[viii] / S-Gamut3.Cine / S-Log3, S-Gamut3 / S-Log3
• Interval Shooting[ix] for stunning time-lapse videos[x]
• Super Slow-Motion[xi] recording at up to 1000fps[xii]
• Compatibility with ‘Movie Edit add-on’[xiii] from the “Imaging Edge™” mobile application for image stabilisation[xiv] while editing Highlight ability to edit aspect ratios for IG etc.
Live Streaming with the ZV-1
Transform the ZV-1 into a webcam by connecting it to a PC[xv] via USB, which allows content creators to interact with their followers in real-time while also utilising the advanced imaging technology and unique features of the ZV-1. This new Sony’s PC software will be available in July 2020.
Pricing and Availability
The Vlog Camera ZV-1 will be available in Europe in June 2020, priced at approximately £700 and €800.
FDR-AX43
Sony today also announced a new 4K[xvi] Handycam® featuring an acclaimed in-built gimbal mechanism, Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ technology, for capturing smooth, natural and high-quality video footage. The FDR-AX43 has been developed for content creators and vloggers who want their footage to demonstrate a refined quality that will stand the test of time.
The FDR-AX43 is the ideal partner for those who want to capture their travel or family memories but is also an incredibly efficient and versatile tool for content creators as part of their home studio and product review set-up.
The FDR-AX43 implements some of Sony’s most advanced imaging technologies including:
• Balanced Optical SteadyShot with a unique in-built-gimbal mechanism for smooth footage while walking, running or at full zoom
• ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens with wide angle of 26.8mm[xvii]
• 20x optical zoom and Clear Image Zoom of 30x for 4K / 40x for HD[xviii]
• 1/2.5-type Exmor R™ CMOS image sensor[xix] and BIONZ X™ image processing engine delivering excellent image quality, even in low-light conditions
• High-bitrate shooting (100Mbps for XAVC S™ 4K, 50Mbps for XAVC S HD)[xx]
• Fast Intelligent AF for quick and precise subject capture
• Microphone structure with three mic capsules sound gathering for advanced sound quality[xxi]
• Flip-screen for selfie shooting
• Long battery life (Up to 235 mins continuous recording time with the supplied battery) and power supply from AC adaptor
• New Highlight Movie Maker which creates short movies[xxii] in-camera in 4K or HD resolution without any need for post-production editing. Easily share MP4 movies on social media sites via smartphone.
Pricing and Availability
The FDR-AX43 will be available in Europe in July 2020, priced at approximately £600 and €700.
Image Gallery
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