Sony has announced the ZV-1 a content creator digital camera designed for vloggers with 4K video, tilting screen, and included microphone sheild. Sony ZV-1 is built around a 1″-type 20MP stacked CMOS sensor and the 24-70mm equiv. F1.8-2.8 lens from the RX100 III, IV and VA, but it uses a fully articulating touchscreen and reworked ergonomics to allow for selfie-style operation.
Sony say that 73% of Vloggers use a smartphone, so the ZV-1 is designed to help them getter better video quality, with a more professional look, thanks to the use of a 1inch sensor. The camera has a “Bokeh” button (C1) which lets you switch between the background being in focus or defocused for better subject separation. There’s also a “Product focus” setting, to quickly allow the focus to switch to products held up to the camera.
Sony ZV-1 will be available from early June with a list price of $799 (CAD$999). In the US there will be a promotion that drops the price to $749 if you buy before June 28th. Sony is also discounting its VCT-SGR1 Bluetooth shooting grip if you buy it with the ZV-1, until June 28th in the US and June 25th in Canada. Pricing in the UK and Europe is set at £700 and €800. Check availability at Adorama, B&HPhoto.
Sony ZV-1 Key Features:
- 20mp 1inch stacked BSI CMOS sensor
- ISO125-12800 expands to ISO80/100
- 315 phase-detection AF points – hybrid AF system
- AF with eye autofocus (real-time), and real-time tracking AF
- Face skin-tone smoothing, auto exposure based on your face (brand new)
- SteadyShot Active Mode: stabilisation optimized for walking (11x better – than “standard”), optical and electronic IS system (4K + FullHD)
- Clear voice recording, 3-capsule microphone, with wind-shield included – “dead cat” slots into the hot-shoe
- multi-interface hot-shoe so you can add additional audio (eg XLR), or you can use the microphone socket
- Bokeh button to switch between bokeh background or detailed background, plus product focus option
- 180degree tilting screen (can face forwards)
- 4K video: 14m image down to 8m for detail
- S-Log2/3 video recording, timelapse, HLG
- Super slow motion (upto 1000fps), vertical video shooting
Sony ZV-1 specs are very similar with the RX100-series models, including 4K UHD video at up to 30p, 1080 capture at up to 120p and high-speed upscaled video at up to 960p. There’s no built-in viewfinder or headphone socket, but the ZV-1 does have a ‘multi-accessory’ hot shoe on which to mount an external mic.
There is a range of accessories available, including:
- GP-VPT2BT – Bluetooth shooting grip.
- VCT-SGR1 – Compact and lightweight, with cable connection
- ACC-TRBX (Battery Charger) USB powered
- ECM-XYST1M – Stereo mic for multi-interface shoe
In addition, Sony will have a major product announcement in June 2020 and Sony is going to announce a new full frame E-mount mirrorless camera (probably Sony a7S III) and several new E-mount lenses on that event in June.
Read more: Best Lenses for Sony a7R IV.
Sony Upcoming Cameras 2020
Also join the Sony Camera Users Facebook Group to share your Sony photography
Read more Sony Camera Rumors here. See also Sony A7 Mark IV and A7s Mark IV Rumored Specs
