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Sony ZV-1

Sony ZV-1 Key Features:

  • Mirrorless Camera Type
  • 2020-05-26 Release Date
  • Gallery 20.1MP
  • Grid 1" Sensor
  • Fixed Lens
  • Weight (incl. card & battery): 294 grams
  • Ideal for Vlogging
  • $798 MSRP
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Gallery

Description

Sony claims the ZV-1 was made for content creators and vloggers. It has vlog centric features such as skin smoothing, one touch bokeh control (no need to worry about aperture settings), automatic focusing on products closest to the camera, and a unique directional three-capsule mic for clear audio among other features.

One unique feature that is hard to find in DSLR and mirrorless cameras is the ability to take pictures at the same time that movie recording is in progress. The ZV-1 is actually capable of this. However, there are some limitations in that the photo resolution won't be of the same quality as if you took a straight picture while a movie recording was not in progress.

Other vlogging camera candidates include the Sony ZV-E10, Canon G7 X Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G100, and an Apple iPhone.

Pros:

  • Small and lightweight.

  • Product Showcase Feature is great for product reviews.

  • Soft Skin Feature to smooth complexion

  • Easy background defocus function to blur background.

  • Dual record. You can take pictures while recording videos.

  • Smile detection feature that will take a picture when it detects a smile.

  • Comes in black or white color options.

  • Comes with built in ND Filter.

Cons:

  • Small buttons are hard to press.

  • Too easy to accidentally bump the control wheel.

  • Hard to shoot manually since shutter and aperture adjustments both use the control wheel.

  • Does not come with a charger.

  • Battery life not that good.

  • Tripod mount is integrated with the memory card and battery cover so accessories need to be removed when changing out battery/memory card.

  • No viewfinder for taking photos.

Lens Specifications

Fixed Lens
Focal Range (35mm equivalent) Min: 24
Focal Range (35mm equivalent) Max: 70
Max Aperture: 1.8
Max Aperture Additional Details: 24-70mm (35mm equivalent) F1.8-2.8

Screen and Viewfinder

LCD: Fully articulating LCD (selfie)
Touch Screen
No Viewfinder

Photo

RAW Type: .ARW
Max Continuous Shooting Speed: 24 fps
Min Shutter Speed: 30 secs
Max Shutter Speed: 1/32000 sec
Bulb

Video

Max Video Resolution:
Max Movie Frame Rate: 120 fps
Movie Recording Limit: 780 mins.
File Format: AVCHD, XAVC S, XAHD
Video Compression: H.264
Audio Format: Linear PCM, Dolby Digital

Exposure

Min ISO: 64
Max ISO: 12800
Zebra Display (movies)
Exposure Modes:

AUTO (Intelligent Auto), Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, Manual Exposure, MR (Memory Recall) [body three sets/memory card four 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

Focus

Focus Modes AF-A (Automatic AF), AF-S (Single-Shot AF), AF-C (Continuous AF), Manual Focus, DMF
Human Eye/Face Detection
Animal Eye Detection
Focus Peaking: Yes
# of Focus Points: 315

Physical Features

Recording Media: SDXC/SDHC/SD, Memory Stick Duo, UHS-1
Width: 105.5 mm
Height: 60 mm
Depth: 43.5 mm
Weight (incl. battery): 294 grams
Battery Life (# of shots): 260
Bluetooth
Dedicated Movie Button
External Microphone Jack
Hot Shoe
Multi/Micro USB 2.0 Terminal
Wi-Fi

Special Features

Auto Dual Record
 Auto Exposure Bracket
 Auto Object Framing
 Background Defocus
 Bracketing
 Bulb
 Face Detection
 Face Registration
 Focus Peaking
 HDR
 Image Stabilization
 Interval Shooting
 Panorama
 Photo Capture (Still Image Extract From Movie)
 Product Showcase
 Proxy Recording
 Simultaneous Photo Video
 Slow Motion
 Smile Shutter
 Soft Skin Effect
 Tethering with Software
 USB Streaming with Manufacturer Software
 White Balance Bracket
 Wind Noise Reduction
 Zebra Display
Digital Zoom: 2.7
Image Stabilization: Electronic
Filters:

Toy Camera, Pop Color, Posterization, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Color, High Contrast Mono., Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Richtone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, Illustration

Scene Selection: Portrait, Sports Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Handheld Twilight, Night Portrait, Anti Motion Blur, Pet Mode, Gourmet, Fireworks, High Sensitivity