The Sony ZV-1F is a strange twist on the world’s best vlogging camera
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Sony’s ZV-1 launched in May 2020 and we still think it’s the best vlogging camera of its kind. But now Sony has made your decision a bit trickier by launching a more affordable version with a slightly mixed set of features.
The Sony ZV-1F is a step up from the original Sony ZV-1 (which will remain for sale) in some ways, and a regression in others. The fundamentals are the same; it’s a 20MP 1-inch compact camera that can shoot 4K/30p video with the kind of natural bokeh or background blur that smartphones still struggle with.
The two main differences between the ZV-1F and the ZV-1 are the lens and user interface. One of our few complaints about its predecessor is that the 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 lens can be a little cramped at times when you’re vlogging handheld rather than on a tripod. The ZV-1F tries to solve this by offering a wider 20mm f/2 lens instead.
It’s a shame the lens isn’t as bright as the ZV-1’s, and photographers will miss the flexibility of zoom. But in theory, the ZV1-F should still offer the shallow depth of field that smartphones like the iPhone 14 Pro and Google Pixel 7 try (and often fail) to simulate with their ‘cinematic’ modes.
Sony also says the ZV-1F includes some new smartphone-style touchscreen tricks. Unlike the ZV-1, which only lets you tap the screen to focus, Sony’s new vlogging camera lets you swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access commonly used settings, or click on the screen’s control icons. tap to change things like aperture.
But the ZV-1F also has some strange limitations. Most astonishingly, the autofocus system, which is arguably the ZV-1’s standout feature, uses an older contrast-detection system, rather than a hybrid setup than both contrast and phase-detection technology for reliable tracking.
Sony told us this shouldn’t matter much in most vlogging situations, and the new model does have a higher number of focus points than the ZV-1 (425, versus 315). But this is something we need to test and it brings the ZV-1F more in line with older rivals like the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III, which also uses contrast-only autofocus.
The other physical differences from the ZV-1 are that the ZV-1F now thankfully includes USB-C charging instead of microUSB, but also replaces the ZV-1’s hot shoe (which charges accessories like a shotgun mic while you’re using them). used) with a simpler coldshoe.
Otherwise, the ZV-1F is much the same as the ZV-1, with a 3-capsule microphone (with an included windshield accessory), electronic stabilization and the handy ‘Product Showcase’ mode that makes the autofocus setting ideal for YouTubers doing product reviews . The other latest change is pricing: the Sony ZV-1F will go on sale from mid-October for $499 / £549 / AUS$849.
Analysis: Flying too close to smartphones?
In the two years since the launch of the original Sony ZV-1, smartphones have typically made aggressive strides in video recording performance, particularly in modes such as Apple’s “Cinematic Mode” (recently acquired by the Google Pixel 7). series), who added a simulated background blur to their videos in an effort to replicate a bright prime.
In fact, Sony has seemingly created a ZV-1 killer of its own in the form of the Sony Xperia Pro-I, which also has a 1-inch sensor and has a ‘Video Pro’ interface very similar to Sony’s high-end mirrorless cameras. So does cameras like the new ZV-1F really make sense?
The margins are definitely getting good now and a lot depends on your favorite type of smartphone. For example, a compact camera like the ZV-1F offers high-quality video recording in a pocket size for those who have mid-range smartphones or don’t want an Xperia phone. The Xperia Pro-1 also uses only part of its 1-inch sensor, so a ZV-1F still has (on paper) greater light-gathering powers.
But the ZV-1F also shows that Sony isn’t as committed to its entry-level video cameras as it is with professional models like the Sony A7S III. The Sony ZV series, which also includes the Sony ZV-E10, is made up of the parts left behind by some of the company’s older photo-focused cameras. For example, the ZV-1 and ZV-1F come from the same gene pool as Sony’s RX100 series compacts.
It’s a shame that the ZV-1F’s autofocus has seemingly gone downhill with its contrast-only system, and we’d love to see even more smartphone-style user interfaces. But the ZV-1F can still work its way into our guide to the best vlogging cameras on paper thanks to its new prime lens and relatively affordable price tag.