Sony ZV-1 review
La Sony zv-1 is a vlog camera. It is not a secret. Indeed, this is how Sony has decided to advertise it, immediately declaring the target of this product: ZV-1 was born for content creators, vloggers and YouTubers and is optimized for solo video shooting.
But let's take a step back. Sony ZV-1 is a compact camera with a motorized zoom lens that extends when switched on; is equipped with the sensor 20.1 megapixel Exmor RS CMOS, of a Zeiss 24-70mm, f / 1.8-2.8 lens and the processor Bionz X, the same we find on high-end Japanese cameras.
But this is only the theory. We tell you how it behaved in practice.
The Sony ZV-1 video review
What we liked
We do not want to infect you with a very long review but, in the face of rather intense use, we decided to tell you what we liked and what did not excite us about this Sony ZV-1.
Let's start with the pros and, above all, with the format. Sony ZV-1 is compact, ergonomic and with a rubberized profile that facilitates grip. You will therefore have no difficulty in holding it in your hand, although we suggest you associate it with a tripod or its dedicated grip, mainly for convenience. Handling everything as if it were a small scepter will really make your life easier.
They are then the keys are very comfortable, revisited to offer an even more immediate user experience. We thus have a small power button but equipped with a tiny LED that reminds you when it is on, the button dedicated to recording is larger than usual and circled in red and there is no ring for changing the mode: everything is done. using the appropriate key and the touchscreen display.
They then appear a second LED, red to remind you when you are in REC, and a button dedicated to sfocato, which is activated automatically to speed up the operation. However, this is not a software elaboration: it is the camera that automatically opens the aperture to blur what is behind the subject.
One click is also enough to activate focus priority on the foreground subject, a feature that prevents you from finding yourself with some clips where the background is in focus.
Speaking of focus ... what a bomb the autofocus! As with other Japanese cameras we have the autofocus on the eye that locks the subject perfectly and continues to follow it flawlessly even when it moves. We've been using the Sony ZV-1 for weeks and have never seen it hesitate a second, and believe us, it's a godsend when you have a few minutes - or even seconds - to make video content. This obviously also applies to the automatisms that allow you to record without having to set up your camera. ZV-1 does all the work for you ensuring a truly one-of-a-kind immediacy.
For the more vain there is alsoand the beauty effect. It is nothing invasive or extremely artificial. Only just enough to make you more attractive even after having little rest or wearing only the bare minimum.
Among the pros we also include the 3 inch TFT LCD display which is waved sideways and which can rotate 270 °. A perfect ally for vlogs but also for bottom and top shots, so you don't have to adopt strange positions to control what you are shooting or photographing.
We then liked the stabilization with Sony's classic SteadyShot which includes an optical and an electronic component. But know that does not work miracles: if you only have to walk with the camera in hand you will get satisfactory results but with faster movements, such as running, the videos will be rather unusable. For these cases, a good action camera or a real stabilizer is always better.
Finally we come to the audio with the ZV-1 it offers 3 directional microphones that fit our position. In fact, when we turn the screen, the orientation of the camera and the subject is recognized and it suppresses the noises coming from the opposite direction. A nice convenience when you self-recover that combines with the effectiveness of the dead cat included in the package.
All this allows you to have good audio albeit far from what external microphones can offer you. Our advice therefore is to combine the camera with a small shotgun that can increase the volume and clarity of the sound in your movies.
Sony Vlog Camera ZV-1 - Digital Camera with LCD screen ...
- ZV-1 is designed for vlogging, is equipped with swiveling LCD screen, shooting light signal for selfies, ...
- Premium camera, with Soft Skin effect, natural skin tone and brightness optimized for shooting ...
- High quality audio recording thanks to the directional 3-capsule microphone and the windproof cover provided ...
From a photographic point of view Sony's vlog camera performs very well. In fact, it is no mystery that this model is a direct derivation of RX100, the Sony compact family much appreciated by photographers. In particular, it inherits the 20,1MP sensor and the most modern automatic modes from RX100 VII, but the optics from RX100 V. Basically we end up with a camera with excellent autofocus of the RX100 VII, but with the brighter optics and ND filter of the RX100 V.
The question that arises is how it is therefore possible that it costs 500 euros less than the RX100 VII. Simple, some typically photographic features are missing. I'm talking about the electronic viewfinder, the lens focus ring and the built-in pop-up flash, for example. But I can also add that the body is not aluminum and that the screen is of inferior quality. In this way, it is easy to cut costs.
But having said that there is not much to say about the quality of the images produced: also in automatic it behaves very well, but if in addition to doing vlogs you are also passionate about photography you can intervene on ISO, times, apertures and everything else to manage ZV-1 completely in manual.
The backlit one-inch sensor guarantees excellent results even at high ISO (ISO 125-12.800) but better not to push yourself to the limit. The same discourse on the size of the sensor can also be applied to the dynamic range. Shooting in RAW we can recover most of the details in both highlights and shadows. Once again better not to exaggerate, the results offered are however not comparable to cameras with APS-C or full-frame sensor.
In conclusion Sony ZV-1 is clearly oriented to the world of vlogging, but it can certainly represent an excellent tool also in the photographic field. The Sony technology that made the RX100 family famous is practically all, only this is a guarantee from this point of view.
What they could improve
We really liked the Japanese vlog camera. Using it is a real pleasure, both for the speed with which we can create content and for the quality of the videos. However, this does not make it without defects.
The frame, for example, is entirely made of plastic and it lacks a bit of solidity. Sure, you gain in lightness but it doesn't seem particularly impact resistant.
We then the tripod threaded hole located in the wrong place. Compared to other cameras, in fact, it is more off-center and too close to the battery compartment. The result? Once the tripod is inserted, you will not be able to remove the battery or SD card. To do this you will need to remove any grip.
This brings us to the last and most important cons of Sony ZV-1: autonomy. Its 1240 mAh guarantee a maximum of one hour of use, definitely insufficient to cover an entire day of shooting. Sure, you can recharge it with a power bank but probably you will be more relaxed by purchasing a second battery.
Ah, we forgot. There is no eyepiece viewfinder which for us is not a real flaw. Of course, it could have been useful to review the shot under the sun, when the display becomes less effective, but all in all it is possible to do without it.
Sony ZV-1 review: buy it or not?
The cost is certainly not low. To take home the Sony ZV-1 you have to spend 800 € and no, there are not a few. The investment is important but it is absolutely adequate what the product offers. It is not for everyone, of course, but if you are a content creator you will love it: everything is simple, fast and of quality. You don't need photographic knowledge, you don't have to study a super complex manual and you never have to waste time. The clips are bright, the complexion is truly perfect, the beauty effect is a lifesaver and the color rendering is more than satisfactory. In short, if vlogging is part of your job you will love ZV-1.
Sony Vlog Camera ZV-1 - Digital Camera with LCD screen ...
- ZV-1 is designed for vlogging, is equipped with swiveling LCD screen, shooting light signal for selfies, ...
- Premium camera, with Soft Skin effect, natural skin tone and brightness optimized for shooting ...
- High quality audio recording thanks to the directional 3-capsule microphone and the windproof cover provided ...
