San Diego, CA—Sony Electronics introduced the pocket-size ZV-1 digital camera, a lightweight, compact all-in-one solution. For content creators and vloggers of all skill levels, the Sony ZV-1 combines easy-to-use features with Sony’s imaging technology.
“Sony’s new ZV-1 was purpose-built to meet the needs and demands of today’s video creators,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president, Imaging Product and Solutions Americas, Sony Electronics. “We are always listening to our customers; this camera is the result of direct feedback from our extended community. Featuring an innovative design as well as many new technologies, settings and modes, it will allow creators to make content in ways they have never been able to before.”
The ZV-1 employs a 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor with DRAM chip. It also features a 24–70mm-equivalent f/1.8–2.8 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* large-aperture lens. Moreover, the lens creates beautiful background bokeh (background blur), allowing the subject to stand out from the background. The camera also uses the latest-generation Bionz X image processor with a front-end LSI to deliver high resolution as well as low noise. And it offers versatile audio options.
Sony ZV-1 Features
In addition, the camera locks onto and tracks subjects with Sony’s latest autofocus system. For maintaining focus on the intended subject or subjects in busy environments, Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking AF technologies for video allow the ZV-1 to switch focus between multiple subjects while controlling the AF speed and tracking sensitivity.
Furthermore, the ZV-1 is Sony’s first compact camera with a side-opening vari-angle flip-out LCD screen. As a result, it is easier to compose shots in selfie mode while connecting external audio accessories. What’s more, the ZV-1 contains video features like 4K (3,840×2,160) movie recording with full pixel readout and in-body image stabilization.
The camera also enables vloggers to switch between two levels of background bokeh while recording. Using its new background defocus function, they can adjust the optical aperture between more and less background defocusing blur without losing focus on the subject. Located on top of the camera, the bokeh button is easily accessible for selfie shooting.
In addition, a new product showcase setting allows for quick, smooth focus transitions between the subject’s face and the object placed in front of the lens. Moreover, the new face priority autoexposure (AE) function detects and prioritizes a subject’s face; it adjusts the exposure to ensure the face is depicted at an ideal brightness. This AE technology also suppresses an abrupt change in exposure if the subject quickly turns away from the frame to eliminate unexpected blown-out or extremely dark shots. The camera also uses a new color science reengineered to optimize skin tones for any subject in still and video modes.
Vlogger Friendly
To provide versatile audio options, the ZV-1’s onboard mic features Sony’s latest directional 3-capsule mic for forward-directional audio capture. It helps enable clear capture of the subject’s voice while minimizing background noise, especially in selfie mode. Along with its multi interface shoe, the ZV-1 also has an industry standard mic jack (3.5mm). In addition, the ZV-1 comes with a wind screen accessory that fits on the shoe to minimize wind interference.
Vloggers can also operate the ZV-1 with one hand thanks to its easy-hold grip and a large movie record button; it is located on the top of the camera for quick access to video recording. In addition, a recording lamp on the front of the camera indicates if it is actively recording.
What’s more, when recording in HD (active mode), optical and electronic stabilization combine to reduce the effects of shaking up to 11x that of standard SteadyShot IS. Conversely, when shooting 4K video using Optical SteadyShot (active mode), there is improvement in the stabilization effect of up to 8x that of standard SteadyShot.
The ZV-1 also works with the GP-VPT2BT shooting grip with wireless remote commander.
Additional video functions include Hybrid Log-Gamma (HDR)/S-Gamut3.Cine/S-Log3; S-Gamut3/S-Log3; interval shooting; super slow motion recording at up to 960 fps; and compatibility with the Movie Edit add-on from Sony’s Imaging Edge mobile app for image stabilization while editing.
Furthermore, users can transform the ZV-1 into a webcam by connecting it to a PC via USB. Content creators can interact with their followers in real-time while also utilizing the features of the ZV-1. Sony will release its new PC software in July 2020.
Sony will launch the ZV-1 camera in June 2020 at a special introductory price of $749 through June 28, 2020. After that, it will retail for $799.
Vlogger Accessories Kit
The company will also introduce a Vlogger Kit (ACCVC1). It consists of a GP-VPT2BT shooting grip with wireless remote commander and a 64GB UHS media card. The grip is compatible with a variety of Sony cameras. In addition, videographers can pair the kit with a separately sold external microphone.
The ACCVC1 Vlogger Kit will also launch in June 2020 with a special introductory offer of $50 off when purchased with the ZV-1 through June 28. It will also have a separate retail price of $149.
