Sony Launches ZV-1F Compact Camera for Vloggers and Content Creators

Following the success of its first vlogger-friendly camera, Sony has just launched a new camera to add to its ZV series, the ZV-1F. The ZV-1F has upgraded from where the ZV-1 left off with new exciting features to offer effortless operation at a much lower price than its predecessor.

Like the ZV-1 the new camera has the same 20.1MP 1.0-type (13.2mm x 8.8mm) Exmor RS CMOS sensor. The ZV-1F gets the lid of the variable zoom lens and now features a 20mm (35mm equivalent) f2.0 fixed prime lens providing a larger focal length so you get more field view than compared to what the ZV-1 offered (wide as it was). This new feature will make it easier to do hand-held vlogging and reduce the strain of over-stretching your arm to fit you and others in the frame and is also a plus when doing street photography; you get more focal length.

The ZV-1F records videos in 4K and is capable of doing that at up to 30fps. Sony offers a range of picture profiles like S-Log2, S-Log3, and HGL but the ZV-1F is only able to record videos in 8-bit 4:2:0, if you will be making heavy color grading with your video footage, you will be disappointed with the quality.

It does however offer the best output when you record and directly upload to social media by using a wireless smartphone connection. You can also record vertical videos using the ZV-1F making it the best device when you want to take TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram shorts. Slow-motion videos can be done at 5x while 60 is for hyper-lapse scenes.

Sony’s vlog camera comes with an in-built directional 3- capsule microphone with a bundled windscreen. For an extra microphone, it has a 3.55 mic jack that you can connect to though it does not have a hot shoe for extra accessory connections. The ZV-1F also has a micro HDM and a USB-C for charging replacing the old micro-USB that was on the ZV-1.

Sony has also borrowed some features from its other camera such as the SteadyShot for stabilizing digital images (if your shooting while walking) though it should be noted that this is the only stabilization feature on the new camera. Object tracking, Eye AF, Soft Skin Effect, and Product Showcase mode that allows you to seamless and automatically switch focus between your face and any object in your hand have also been added to the ZV-1F on top of the 7.5cm 921,600 dots articulated touch screen display.

Sony’s ZV-1F has a price tag of $500 and will be available for sale in late October.

The first vlogger-friendly camera by Sony the ZV-1 was launched in 2020 and had features like a Background Defocus, and ND filter that helped when shooting in a bright setting and sold at $749 a bit higher than the new ZV-1F camera. These features have also been added to the latest in the ZV series of cameras and can take images filled with depth outdoors or indoors and even constricted spaces. The ZV-1 camera had a flip screen and was available in black and white colors. The ZV-1 will continue running until Sony thinks otherwise.

According to Sony the pocket-sized ZV-1F camera is “easy to use, offers incredible image quality, and is a must-have for vloggers and content creators.” It is portable and easy to carry around weighing 229g and user-friendly even for beginners who want an affordable camera they can use on the go while maintaining good camera quality. You can also shoot remotely when you pair the camera with a smartphone.

The director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging from Sony Yann Salmon Legagneur said: “we have designed the pocket-sized vlog camera Sony ZV-1F with creators front of the mind. As audiences drive the demand for high-quality content, creators need an all-in-one camera solution that delivers superior quality with creative options, whilst being easy to use and designed for wireless content sharing.” He added that as a company Sony is “also proud to have incorporated eco-friendly features in the Sony ZV-1F as sustainability remains a key focus for Sony.”

With simple operation, basics, and a lower price than most vlogging cameras the ZV-1F from Sony may just be the cheapest vlogging camera on the market. The camera also has a self-timer feature that can be used when taking still images or videos. It is compatible with GP-VPT2BT Shooting Grip and the screen comes with a recording lamp and red frame so you know when recording has started and stopped.

Beginner vloggers who have never used a compact camera before can easily use the ZV-1F which has been built with recyclable material and has a wind noise reduction feature. It promises an easy change from smartphones to compact for new content creators.

The ZV-1F is available in black and white colours with a screen that can be flipped for the best results when shooting selfies. The battery life of the new camera is expected to be about an hour of shooting a video or 360 stills if the articulated pop-out screen was being used which is not that groundbreaking but the price ($300 cheaper than the ZV-1) and other features make up for that.

It can be used as a webcam for live streaming by connecting it to your laptop using a USB-C cable. For standout of subjects in focus you get the Background bokeh and Face Priority AE feature. For vloggers looking for a camera to use when shooting Raw files, the ZV-1F is not that camera because it only shoots in movie or JPEG format.

It does not have phase detection but has quick Autofocus and has slower sensor readout and no optical stabilisation than you can get in some smartphones but the video quality is way better than that of a smartphone’s camera. Sony electronics has said that it is thrilled to add the new ZV-1F to “their popular ZV camera lineup.”