The Sony ZV-1, was announced as the ultimate vloggers camera, with 4K video recording, a vari-angle screen, and video-focused features including "Product Showcase", a clear or defocused background option, a triple microphone system, and included in the box is a deadcat wind screen. Are Sony right, is this the ultimate vloggers camera? We find out how the ZV-1 performs both as a stills camera, and a video camera.
Sony ZV-1 Features
The Sony ZV-1 builds on top of the success of the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 series, and features the same lens and sensor, as the RX100 V. There's a 20mp BSI CMOS sensor, which is a 1inch-type sensor.
The lens is a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* branded 2.7x optical zoom lens, with f/1.8-f/2.8 aperture with optical image stabilisation (OIS), giving a 24-70mm equivalent (in 35mm equivalent terms) to give a good wide-angle view, as well as a reasonable amount of telephoto zoom.
There's a 3inch vari-angle touch-screen on the back that can be turned round to face the front, ideal for selfies and vlogging, and the screen has a resolution of 921K dots.
As a compact camera, it will easily fit into your pocket, even a pocket of a pair of jeans (not skinny), and weighs less than 300g.
New features unique to the ZV-1:
- Bokeh button, to switch between background blur (defocus), or clear background modes
- Product showcase enables rapid focus on small items held in front of the camera
- Smart auto-exposure (AE) transitions, optimised for faces
- 3-capsule microphones for clear sound
- Included "dead cat" wind screen
The ZV-1 camera has P, A, S, M shooting modes, giving you full manual controls, and these can be accessed by using the Mode button on top of the camera. You'll also find an intelligent Auto mode, making it easy to use the camera as a point and shoot, with the camera automatically detecting the scene and adjusting settings accordingly. Macro focus can be as close as 5cm from the front of the lens at the wide-angle setting but is 30cm when using the telephoto zoom.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built-in meaning you can connect the camera to a smartphone or tablet, and use one of Sony's Imaging apps* to control the camera and transfer images. A Bluetooth connected shooting grip is available, the GP-VPT2BT, or you can go for the VCT-SGR1, which uses a cable connection. *There are currently a number of different Imaging Edge apps, including Mobile (the main app), Transfer & Tagging Add-On, and Movie Edit Add-On (designed for the ZV-1, RX100 VII, and RX0 II).
Video recording
The ZV-1 records video as 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), which uses 1.7x pixel resampling, meaning the camera is using around 14mp of data for each frame and squishing that down to 8.8mp (4K resolution) for improved detail. The camera also supports 4K HDR recording, with S-Log2 / S-Log3 gamma controls, and a built-in 3-stop ND filter.
Slow-motion / HFR (High Frame Rate) video recording is possible up to 960/1000fps (NTSC/PAL), with 480/500fps, and 240/250fps options. The higher the frame rate, the lower the actual resolution recorded, with 240/250fps recording at a resolution of 1824x1026, 480/500fps recording at a resolution of 1824x616, and 960/1000fps recording at 1244x420 (on the quality priority setting). All of these are then enlarged to 1920x1080 (FullHD) resolution.
Time-lapse video recording is supported. A tally light lets you know when you're recording video, and the camera can be used as a webcam (via USB) using Sony's PC software.
Key Features
- 20mp 1inch stacked BSI CMOS sensor
- 2.7x optical zoom lens, f/1.8-2.8, 24-70mm equivalent, with optical image stabilisation (OIS)
- 3inch, 180degree tilting touch-screen, 921K dots
- ISO125-12800 expands to ISO80/100, ISO25600 with multi-frame NR
- 315 phase-detection AF points – hybrid AF system
- AF with eye autofocus (real-time), and real-time tracking AF
- Face skin-tone smoothing, auto exposure based on your face (brand new)
- SteadyShot Active Mode: stabilisation optimized for walking (11x better – than “standard”), optical and electronic IS system (4K + FullHD)
- Clear voice recording, 3-capsule microphone, with wind-shield included - “dead cat” slots into the hot-shoe
- Multi-interface hot-shoe so you can add additional audio (eg XLR), or you can use the microphone socket
- Bokeh button to switch between bokeh background or detailed background, plus product focus option
- 4K 30/25/24fps video: 14mp image down to 8mp for detail
- S-Log2/3 video recording, timelapse, HLG
- Super slow motion (up to 1000fps), vertical video shooting
- Up to 24fps continuous shooting
Sony ZV-1 Handling
The ZV-1 is compact enough to take with you everywhere you go without worrying about weight and size. The camera weighs 294g with battery and memory card. (297g with deadcat, although perhaps it should be called a dead mouse due to it's compact size). When the deadcat is fitted, it can initially be a little difficult to find the on/off switch, but is something that you'll soon get used to. The mode button next to this is used to switch between the modes (on screen), as there is no mode dial.
There's a grip on the front, that Sony say is "optimised" for selfies. The grip works well, being made of rubber and providing a good level of grip. There's also a rubber grip on the back for your thumb to hold on to. The "focus/defocus" button is clearly labelled, and can be customised if you want to change what it's used for. It's perfectly placed for use when recording video. The top buttons are a good size, with a large video record button. On the back, the buttons are much smaller,
It feels well built, even with a plastic construction, although of course, time will tell how well it lasts, and much of that will depend on how well you look after it. There is no built-in flash, however, you can use the hot-shoe to attach an optional flash (or LED lighting) if needed.
Panasonic Lumix G100 Vs Sony ZV-1 Top - The ZV-1 has a size advantage, but if you want to change lenses, then the G100 is also a vlogging option.
The vari-angle touch-screen looks reasonable outdoors in sunny conditions but doesn't match the G100 for resolution or brightness and colour. You can use the "Sunny" setting for the screen that makes the screen much brighter for use outdoors, however, in this mode the screen gives you the impression that your images are going to come out over-exposed. The screen has a resolution of 921K dots.
With a tilting screen, it flips out to the side, and thankfully all the ports are on the other side of the camera, meaning there's no risk of the screen or cables interfering with each other. The tripod position could be better, as it means that the battery/memory card compartment are blocked when the camera is mounted on a tripod.
The menus are the fairly typical Sony menu system, meaning you can spend a very long time trying to find settings and options, and unfortunately, they haven't been updated, with the A7S III introducing a completely redesigned menu system. On the ZV-1 you can't use the touch-screen to change or select options in the menus.
Wi-Fi, and transferring images worked well, using Imaging Edge Mobile, and the initial setup or connection is made using a QR code displayed on the camera. Remote control of the camera was possible once we'd entered the correct setting on the camera, and gives an enlarged view (assuming your smartphone has a larger screen than the camera), and you can access all the different shooting modes from the app.
Battery life - Battery life is rated at 260 shots when using the screen, which can be extended to 410 shots with "auto monitor off" set to 2seconds. This is reasonable for a compact camera, but we'd definitely recommend a spare battery or two, especially if you're recording video, as the battery gives 45 minutes of movie recording time.
Sony ZV-1 Performance
The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
Sony ZV-1 Sample Photos
The camera gives warm, pleasing colour reproduction on default settings. Care needs to be taken to monitor what and where the camera is focusing, as it can have a tendency to focus on the closest object in the frame. Images look good when viewed on a computer, but when viewing them at 100% images often look soft. Particularly when using the telephoto end of the lens. The camera offers a 5cm close focusing distance at the wide-angle end of lens, and 30cm at the telephoto end, so macro fans may want to look elsewhere.
Distortion is automatically corrected in-camera and therefore not a concern. Purple fringing is also fairly well-controlled, except in areas of high-contrast such as trees against a bright sky. Lens flare was also fairly minimal.
With a relatively bright f1.8-2.8 lens it is possible to get a pleasing background blur (or bokeh). Optical Image Stabilisation helps keep the sharper when using slower shutter speeds, and helped with our shot of the waterfall.
Sony ZV-1 ISO test images
Sony ZV-1 White-balance test images
Video - So, is this camera good for vlogging? Short answer, yes, it's excellent for vlogging! Video features are impressive and work really well. The 4K footage is downsampled from 6K giving extremely sharp, detailed, clear video recording. Audio quality is also very good, and the provided deadcat is an excellent inclusion.
The camera performs relatively well in low-light as well, thanks to the f/1.8 aperture at the wide end. Image stabilisation does a good job as well, and the crop into the frame is much less than the G100, meaning you're still able to get a wide-angle view with the camera.
Defocus / clear background works well, and the background blur is very pleasing, and the Product focus is another clever feature, that works extremely well, and is easy to use.
Sony ZV1 4K Video Crop Factor
There are plenty of options for those that want to expand dynamic range or grade footage later, including 10 picture profiles, with options for 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, and Detail. Profiles can be copied and reset.
Due to the high-quality output produced by the camera, the niggles, and frustrations (such as the NTSC/PAL switch, and tripod socket position) can be overlooked or rather lived with, as it gets so much of the important stuff right, such as high-quality audio, high image quality, and excellent focus performance.
Additional videos can be found on the ePHOTOzine YouTube Channel, including a vlogging test, and high-speed video.
Value For Money
The Sony ZV-1 is available for £699 which makes it fairly good value for money. Alternative cameras designed for video / vlogging around this price point:
Canon Powershot G7X III, 4K video, Mic socket, "Live streaming" support, tilting selfie-screen, £676
Panasonic Lumix G100, 4K video, Mic socket, OZO audio, interchangeable lenses, vari-angle touch-screen, £699
Panasonic Lumix LX15/LX10, 4K video, tilting selfie touch-screen, £399
Have a look at more options in our Serious compact cameras (larger sensor), best 4K Video Cameras, Best Video Cameras for Vloggers (needs updating). You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Sony ZV-1 Verdict
It's easy to find little quirks and oddities, and things that you wish that Sony would fix. NTSC/PAL switchover being the most annoying of them in my opinion. If you want to switch from 25fps, to 30fps, you need to switch from PAL to NTSC, and the camera requires a different memory card, or for the memory card to be formatted before you can record video in a different frame rate. This has been partially fixed with the new A7S III, as you no longer need to format your memory card, but you do still need to switch between the modes.
There are other issues, the tripod socket is too close to the battery / memory compartment, so if you're using the camera on a tripod you'll have to take the camera off the tripod before changing the battery or memory card. If you're recording video, then it's likely you'll want to change the battery and memory card at some point.
If you're a stills photographer and want a good, general, all-purpose camera, then the lack of built-in flash could be an issue, and images from other cameras are going to be sharper and clearer.
However, what's difficult to find fault with, is the quality of video recorded with the camera. Even in lower light conditions, the camera delivers great-looking video, and with a bright f/1.8 aperture, it certainly gives mirrorless cameras a run for their money, giving better background blur than many kit lenses.
You've got high-speed video recording, albeit at a lower-resolution, with less detail. Focus is fast and reliable, and there are easy to use features that produce excellent results, with blurred background if you want it, or a clearer background when needed. Ultimately, the Sony ZV-1, is the best compact camera we've seen for vlogging, and entry-level video work. The quality of output is clear to see, and the camera makes it incredibly easy to get great footage!
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The Sony ZV-1 may not excite photographers, with the RX100 series filling that role, but for vlogging and video, the ZV-1 is definitely our first choice at this price. |
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