Sony ZV-1 Review
The Sony ZV-1 ($799.99) is the company's first compact camera built just for vloggers. It shares a lot of its tech with the RX100 family, including the lens from the RX100 VA and the imaging engine from the RX100 VII. Those models are stills-first, though, while with the ZV-1 you get a more video-friendly design, with a flip-forward LCD and a best-in-class internal microphone. It's a good camera for vloggers, but not a home run—the lens is a little tight for walk-and-talk footage, and the battery life is underwhelming.Small Enough for Pockets The ZV-1 is a small camera, just 2.4 by 4.2 by 1.7 inches (HWD) and 10.4 ounces. Its lens doesn't completely retract into the body—it juts out a little bit—but it's compact enough for most pockets. Sony has opted for a composite material for the body, a departure from the metal exterior used by the RX100 series. It's a fine change if you ask me—the body feels solid and the finish is likely to hold up better over time. There's still a bit of m...
The Sony ZV-1 is a pocketable camera with strong still image quality and features geared specifically toward vloggers.
Compact form factor; Flip-out touch screen; Bright, sharp zoom lens; Excellent in-camera audio; External mic and flash support; 4K video capture
A wider-angle lens would be welcome; Limited touch features; Face detection struggles when wearing protective mask; Underwhelming battery life; No in-camera flash