Sony has launched the ZV-1 compact camera,
designed for video content creators and vloggers. The camera is similar to the
company's RX100 series but has been optimized more for video capture and for
recording yourself.
The ZV-1 has a 20.1MP 1.0"-type
stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor plucked out of the RX100 VII. The lens is an older
24-70mm used in the RX100 cameras from RX100 III to the RX100 V and not the
newer 24-200 used in later RX100 models. While this means you have less reach,
the older lens had a faster f1.8-2.8 aperture range versus the f2.8-4.5 on the
newer models.
The ZV-1 can record video in 4K with
full-pixel readout without binning in 24 or 30fps. You can also shoot slow
motion video in 240fps, 480fps or 960fps. There's built-in interval shooting
for time-lapse videos and support for HLG, S-Log3, and S-Gamut3.Cine for those
who want to color grade or have an HDR workflow. There's also built-in optical
and digital image stabilization.
One of the main features of the ZV-1 is
the fully articulating display, a first for a compact Sony camera that so far
only featured screens that tilted up or down. The ZV-1 display can swing and
face forward, making it extremely easy to see yourself while recording and
doesn't get obscured by any accessory attached on top of the camera, like a
microphone, as is the case with flip up displays. It's a 3.0-inch panel with
921k dot LCD and touch support for focusing.
The ZV-1 offers a Background Defocus
feature, which can be activated by a dedicated button next to the shutter
release. Pressing the button causes the camera to blur your background by
adjusting the aperture and you can switch back and forth without having to mess
around with the aperture manually. If you don't wish to use this feature, the
button can be assigned some other function through the menu.
The ZV-1 autofocus system has also been
optimized to work with objects with the new Product Showcase mode. Normally,
when recording yourself, the camera would lock the focus on your face, so if
you hold something in front of the camera to show your audience, the object
would be out of focus. With this mode, holding something in front of the camera
causes the autofocus to momentarily snap on to the object and then go back to
face tracking once the object is off-screen. This is designed for content
creators who do things like makeup tutorials or product videos where they need
to showcase the product but also later have the focus shift to them without
having a dedicated camera operator.
The auto exposure has also been optimized
to prioritize faces on the ZV-1. If you suddenly go from a dark to bright
environment, the exposure would adjust automatically to keep your face from
being overexposed and blown out. Sony has also optimized the color science
further on this camera for more natural skin tones in all lighting conditions.
The ZV-1 also features a new built-in
microphone system, with a directional 3-capsule mic that is optimized to pickup
sounds in front of the camera and ignore things happening on the side and back
of the camera. A wind screen is provided to reduce noise on windy days. The
camera also has a microphone jack for attaching external microphones directly
to the camera. No headphone jack here as you wouldn't really be monitoring
audio while filming yourself but would have been nice to do a quick audio check
before you started rolling.
There's also a micro HDMI if you want to
output to an external recorder or capture card. The USB port still uses
microUSB but at least allows you to charge the battery while the camera is in
use. Unfortunately, there's no charger provided so you have to charge the
battery internally unless you purchase the optional charger.
Finally, Sony is also offering an optional
and atrociously named accessory called the GP-VPT2BT Shooting Grip with
Wireless Remote Commander, which lets you mount the camera and control it using
the grip. It's just a grip, however, and there is no stabilization built-in.
The grip is part of a kit that also includes a 64GB memory card.
The Sony ZV-1 is priced at US$ 749 and will
go on sale in June. However, that's the introductory price and it will go up to US$ 799 after June 28. The Vlogger Kit with the grip and the SD card will set you
back US$ 99 if purchased with the camera before June 28 or US$ 149 if purchase
separately.