In our Sony ZV-1F evaluate we put the newest entry-level Sony vlogging digital camera to the check to see if it’s the best choice for brand spanking new vloggers available on the market, or should you’re higher off sticking to a smartphone.
For the previous few years Sony have been main the way in which for vloggers, by designing prime quality, feature-heavy cameras particularly for content material creators and YouTubers.
With the recognition of video hovering throughout social media, it solely is smart to faucet into this large and profitable market.
Gone are the times the place you wanted hundreds of {dollars} value of apparatus to shoot a video that appears half respectable, and that’s the place Sony’s vary of ZV cameras has crammed a void for creators.
The ZV-1 launched to a lot fanfare, rapidly changing into one of many finest vlogging cameras available on the market.
The ZV-E10 quickly adopted, giving the choice for aspiring videographers to swap lenses for various views.
Right this moment Sony have introduced a brand new participant into the sport, launching their model new, entry-level Sony ZV-1F for vloggers, and we have been fortunate sufficient to get our arms on one for a few weeks of in-the-field testing.
NOMADasaurus Verdict – Sony ZV-1F
This can be a nice little entry-level vlogging digital camera for individuals who need one thing higher and extra devoted than a smartphone.
PROS
- 20mm fastened lens means extensive discipline of view
- f/2.0 aperture
- Simple to make use of
- Eye autofocus and product focus works nice
- S&Q with 1080p 120fps
- Articulating LCD display
- Very compact
CONS
- Not plenty of different options
- Fastened lens means no optical zoom
- Solely 4k 30fps
- Lacklustre for pictures and no RAW taking pictures
However in a world the place nearly everyone has a smartphone of their pocket with capabilities to provide lovely, 4k masterpieces, does this new digital camera have sufficient enchantment to win over a unique audiences?
Priced at USD$498 / CAD$649 / AUD$899 / €649, it’s not precisely low cost, however is it definitely worth the value to maneuver away from filming on an iPhone?
That’s what we got down to uncover in our private Sony ZV-1F evaluate.
Sony ZV-1F Overview – What’s Higher: a Vlogging Digital camera or a Smartphone?
Being skilled content material creators, we’ve made vlog-style movies on an entire vary of various cameras.
From motion cameras just like the GoPro HERO11 Black to full-frame hybrids just like the Sony A7iv and even our trusty iPhones, we’re all the time mixing and matching our content material primarily based on no matter digital camera we’ve useful.
For us a vlogging digital camera has to serve two most important functions:
- Be handy to make use of
- Produce ok high quality
The primary one is apparent. If a digital camera is inconvenient to make use of, then we’ll by no means truly use it.
Issues like how fast and straightforward you can begin recording, how straightforward it’s to make use of within the discipline, how little we’ve to fret about settings and whether or not we will get focus and framing spot on with out double checking the whole lot all play into comfort.
And once we say ok high quality, it’s as a result of on the finish of the day we make vlogs, not cinematic movies.
If the content material is simply happening YouTube or Instagram Reels, then we don’t often fear about intricate color grading, excessive body charges, and so on. Simply write the story, shoot the video, edit it as rapidly as potential and publish.
The ZV-1F goals to deal with the above two factors, and does a good job at each.
Fast Hearth – Sony ZV-1F Options
No, it’s not so good as our A7iv. And no, it’s not as fast and straightforward to make use of as a GoPro. But it surely’s a rattling sight higher than our iPhones for vlog-style content material.
For a little bit digital camera it packs rather a lot goodness underneath the hood.
Simply wish to know what the very best Sony ZV-1F options are? Right here we go:
- Sort 1 (13.2×8.8mm) Exmor RS CMOS sensor
- 20mm fastened equal lens
- f/2 extensive aperture
- Articulating LCD contact display
- 425 autofocus factors, together with eye autofocus
- 4k 30fps
- 1080p 120fps (in S&Q mode)
- Lively picture stabilisation
- 20 megapixel nonetheless pictures
- Directional 3-Capsule Microphone
- Vertical video mode
- ISO – 125 to 12,800
- USB-C charging port
Who’s the ZV-1F for?
For those who’re an aspiring content material creator seeking to publish good high quality journey or way of life vlogs, the Sony ZV-1F may very well be the correct choice for you.
The ZV-1F is aimed toward newbie vloggers and creators who need one thing higher than an iPhone or Android, however don’t wish to lay our a fortune or want extra options that you could find within the ZV-1.
Love journey, journey and pictures movies?
Then be sure you swing on by our YouTube channel to take a look at our newest vlogs!
iPhone vs ZV-1F – Which is Higher?
For those who’re seeking to produce video, and solely video, then the Sony ZV-1F is best than an iPhone or Android smartphone.
It’s higher in low gentle, is less complicated to handle totally different video settings, has guide video settings if required and the articulating LCD display means you’ll be able to see your self correctly when filming, which you’ll be able to’t do when utilizing the rear digital camera on a telephone.
For pictures although, the ZV-1F is fairly lacklustre and with the computational algorithms of recent smartphones the photographs they’ll produce look higher straight out of digital camera.
Video Modes
The Sony ZV-1F shoots in extremely excessive decision 4k 30fps and 24fps (25fps in PAL mode).
For those who change on over to S&Q mode, which stands for Gradual and Fast, you’ll be able to report at 120fps in 1080p, which achieves a 5x slow-mo charge at 24fps – excellent for that cinematic b-roll.
The caveat is the digital camera doesn’t report audio in S&Q, however that’s in all probability not going to be a lot of a hinderance anyway.
The very best half is switching between regular velocity and S&Q couldn’t be simpler, with a easy one-button click on swapping out the settings.
There’s additionally a hyperlapse taking pictures mode which may report your video at as much as 60x sooner and play it again in 24, 25 or 30fps.
Listed here are a number of the different video settings which we actually love on the brand new digital camera.
READ MORE: Try our knowledgeable information to the finest journey tripods!
Regular Shot
Shaky footage in most circumstances is simply painful to look at.
If it’s minor shake whenever you’re standing nonetheless, it provides to the pure model of a vlog.
However begin strolling round and speaking to the digital camera, and the footage could make the viewer really feel nauseous.
That’s the place picture stabilisation is available in to take away that pesky digital camera shake.
The Sony ZV-1F has respectable picture stabilisation in-built, which they name Regular Shot.
Lively is what you wish to use for run-and-gun vlogging, and we depart Lively Stabilisation on about 90% of the time.
No Regular Shot is ok if you’re mounting your digital camera to a tripod, however we don’t advocate hand holding it and vlogging.
One factor to remember is that Lively crops in a bit to regulate for the extra stabilisation, so the 20mm fastened lens turns into a 25mm equal, however that is nonetheless extensive sufficient for many vlogging conditions.
Product Showcase
One of many prime options to make it into the Sony ZV-1 was ‘Product Showcase’, a revolutionary setting that made the digital camera seamlessly concentrate on an merchandise that was held in entrance of the lens, after which focus again in your eye when eliminated.
Sony introduced Product Showcase to the ZV-1F, and we’re so glad they did.
That is a particularly useful characteristic when doing product opinions, as you by no means have to fret about lacking concentrate on the merchandise you’re speaking about.
You do need to activate the setting within the menu to make use of it.
Bokeh Change
There’s nothing fairly like good, creamy bokeh to focus on a topic.
Bokeh is the out-of-focus background parts in a shot, typically highly regarded in portrait pictures, and the ZV-1F does a fairly good job at attaining this visible impact.
By activating Bokeh Change the digital camera drops all the way down to its widest aperture, f/2, and defocuses the background.
Eye Autofocus
One in every of our favorite options of the Sony vary of cameras is their industry-leading autofocus system.
Regardless of being an entry-level vlogging digital camera, the ZV-1F incorporates the very best a part of Sony’s focus engine – eye autofocus.
What this does is mechanically detect the attention of the topic and adjusts concentrate on this a part of the picture.
For those who’re vlogging, the very last thing you need is the tree within the background to be razor sharp whereas your face is blurry.
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Image Profiles
Regardless of the digital camera being aimed toward newbie video creators, Sony has included the power to modify Image Profiles to present a larger scope of energy within the modifying room, together with the professional-grade S-Log profile.
We’ll be fully sincere although. For those who’re a newbie video creator and looking out on the ZV-1F, chances are high you’re not going to be wanting to make use of S-Log or Cine
So whereas it’s incredible to have and most professionals would take into account this important, for an entry-level digital camera it’s type of overkill.
Nonetheless, if you wish to have a go at color grading, discover ways to expose for S-Log, shoot some content material and pull it up in your favorite video modifying software program to mess around.
Smooth Pores and skin Impact
Sony has one thing referred to as a ‘Smooth Pores and skin Impact‘ which digitally smooths out wrinkles and blemishes in your pores and skin.
It may be turned to low, medium, excessive or off. We tried it out, and instantly turned it off.
Name us out-of-touch millennials however regardless that this characteristic works fairly properly, we predict it’s excessive and don’t perceive the aim of placing a filter over your face on a vlog to make you look artificially youthful.
Yea okay, we’re out of contact millennials.
Vertical Taking pictures
Lastly in our checklist of Sony ZV-1F video options is the power to shoot in vertical.
We dwell in a world of Instagram Reels and TikToks, and should you’ve ever tried to crop panorama oriented content material into 9:16 you know the way tough it may be. And that’s ignoring the large lack of particulars and backbone you get from the crop itself.
Merely flip your ZV-1F from panorama to portrait and begin taking pictures to report natively in vertical.
Nail the framing and composition first time, and nonetheless be capable to use your content material at full decision.
Pictures
We’re simply going to say it now – don’t trouble with this digital camera should you’re planning on utilizing it for something aside from snapping primary YouTube thumbnails.
With a 20 megapixel sensor it’s no slouch, don’t get us unsuitable, however the digital camera actually isn’t designed for pictures and there’s one evident factor that makes this apparent:
The Sony ZV-1F doesn’t shoot in RAW, solely in JPEG.
What meaning is the digital camera mechanically compresses the model into the file, deleting the additional information which means you’re very restricted relating to modifying your recordsdata.
For those who don’t edit your photographs and solely shoot in JPEG anyway it’s not that large of a deal, however until you’re pleased with the whole lot produced straight out of digital camera, not having RAW is an actual limitation.
READ MORE: When you’re at it, try our information to epic panorama pictures suggestions!
Fastened 20mm f/2 Lens
The largest gripe we had with the ZV-1 was that it simply wasn’t extensive sufficient for correct vlogging.
For those who turned on Lively Regular Shot the crop issue meant it primarily minimize off the highest of your head, until you had ridiculously lengthy arms or mounted the digital camera on a GorillaPod and held it out actually far.
The ZV-1F has fastened this drawback by introducing a large angle, fastened 20mm equal lens with f/2 aperture.
That is greater than extensive sufficient to have two individuals in a shot whereas vlogging (excellent for the {couples} on the market, like us).
It additionally means the digital camera might be stored very compact with a pancake-style lens and no shifting elements on the entrance.
The down facet is that there isn’t a optical zoom like on the ZV-1, so that you’re principally caught at 20mm until you employ the digital zoom, which crops into the shot as much as 4x.
The extensive f/2 aperture is absolutely shallows the depth of discipline, excellent should you’re attempting to realize a bokeh impact, and in addition permits for a considerable amount of gentle to hit the sensor in low gentle.
Articulating LCD Contact Display screen
One of many most important causes the ZV-1F is best for vlogging than a smartphone is the power to see your self whilst you’re filming due to the articulating LCD Contact display.
Flipping it out to the facet permits you body your face within the shot selfie-style, and you too can spin it round to level in nearly any path you want.
This permits for correct composing at totally different angles along with getting your face within the shot.
This LCD display can be touch-activated, and you should utilize this to not solely change focus by tapping the display but additionally entry any of the options chances are you’ll want comparable to Bokeh Change, Product Showcase or white steadiness.
The outdated Sony menu system on their cameras was…terrible.
Sophisticated, arduous to navigate, not making any sense and simply irritating.
After years of suggestions Sony lastly took on the recommendation of their tens of millions of customers and rebuilt the menu system from the bottom up.
Launched on the Sony A7Siii and subsequently rolled out to most of their new fashions after that, the up to date menu system can be put in on the ZV-1F.
It shouldn’t be a shock actually, however we’re very, very grateful that it’s right here.
Construct High quality
The general really feel of the ZV-1F is fairly nice, and regardless of its plastic case, the general construct high quality is best than anticipated.
The small, rubber deal with supplies simply sufficient grip to carry the digital camera in point-and-shoot mode in addition to when vlogging, which means you don’t have to connect it to a tripod should you don’t wish to.
It’s essential to notice that the Sony ZV-1F is not water-resistant although, so hold this in thoughts earlier than you go operating round within the rain or underneath a waterfall.
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Low Gentle Functionality
The Sort 1.0 sensor is incredible in the midst of the day, and goes fairly sturdy indoors with synthetic lighting, however in darkish situations the video high quality will get fairly noisy.
Pushing the ISO to larger ranges comparable to 1600-3200 actually began to carry out harsh noise within the blacks.
We discovered it fairly acceptable to ISO 800, and whilst you can push it additional should you want, simply take into account the low gentle capabilities begin to crumble.
Audio
The ZV-1F has a built-in directional 3-Capsule Mic for capturing audio, and for a little bit digital camera the audio high quality is fairly good.
We in contrast the ZV-1F native audio with our iPhone 13 Professional Max and the ZV-1F had deeper tones and clearer dialogue, choosing up barely much less background noise.
The digital camera comes with a little bit lifeless cat that slips into the recent shoe mount to dam out wind noise, and it really works fairly properly.
For those who’re taking video significantly although you’ll wish to throw on an exterior microphone and plug it into the devoted microphone enter.
Sony’s ECM-G1 works completely with the ZV-1F and gives a big enchancment in sound high quality.
NOMADasaurus Verdict – A First rate Possibility for Beginner Vloggers
So that you’ve made it to the tip of our Sony ZV-1F evaluate, and should you haven’t already made your thoughts up about whether or not or not this digital camera is best for you, we’ll share our ideas.
The Sony ZV-1F is aimed toward newbie vloggers and content material creators who wish to improve from a smartphone however don’t wish to spend the additional cash for a better finish digital camera.
For this, it serves its objective. The Sony ZV-1F is best than the newest iPhone and Android telephones relating to video high quality.
The articulating LCD display, product showcase characteristic, in-built microphone (with means so as to add an exterior microphone) and the added bonuses of having the ability to carry a number of batteries and SD playing cards implies that it truly is a little bit vlogging powerhouse.
It undoubtedly makes a case for being the very best vlogging digital camera for freshmen.
However should you’re fascinated about taking content material creation significantly, and perhaps even wish to do that for a profession, must you rush out and purchase it?
It relies upon.
For those who’re solely taking pictures IG Reels or TikToks and haven’t any want to create lengthy type YouTube movies, stick with your telephone for ease of simplicity.
Able to make the leap into YouTube although, perhaps begin a journey channel or simply doc your life, however don’t wish to kill the finances?
Then the Sony ZV-1F is for you should you’re prepared to begin creating YouTube movies on a finances too.
Sony ZV-1F vs ZV-1 – Which One is Proper for You?
We’ve owned the ZV-1 because it got here out and have used it in every single place from Australia to Greenland, Canada to Thailand for journey movies, and we predict it’s a fairly versatile digital camera.
Over the previous few weeks we’ve been testing out the ZV-1F to see if it’s the very best vlogging digital camera for brand spanking new content material creators although, and are fairly impressed with it.
Questioning whether or not it’s best to get the Sony ZV-1 or the Sony ZV-1F?
If you’ll solely do vlog-style movies with plenty of speaking head photographs, the ZV-1F is best due to the broader 20mm fastened lens (and it’s cheaper).
However should you plan to do pictures as properly, and perhaps dabble in some correct b-roll then the ZV-1 is the digital camera for you due to the optical zoom and RAW capabilities.
