New Products

Sony Launches ZV-1

Designed for vloggers of all skill levels, the pocket-sized digital camera features a flip-out, variable-angle LCD screen, advances in image stabilization and webcam capability.

ASC Staff

Designed for vloggers of all skill levels, the pocket-sized digital camera features a flip-out, variable-angle LCD screen, advances in image stabilization and webcam capability.

Sony Electronics Inc. has unveiled the ZV-1, a pocket-sized digital camera designed for content creators and vloggers of all skill levels.


“Sony’s ZV-1 was purpose-built to meet the needs and demands of today’s video creators,” says Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging Product and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics.  “We are always listening to our customers, and this camera is the result of direct feedback from our extended community. Featuring an innovative design plus many new technologies, settings and modes, it will allow creators to make content in ways they have never been able to before.” 


Featuring a 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor with DRAM chip and a 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* large-aperture lens, the ZV-1 includes the latest Bionz X image processor with front-end LSI, delivering high resolution as well as low noise. The ZV-1 is Sony’s first compact camera with a side-opening, vari-angle LCD screen, making it easier to compose shots in selfie mode while connecting external audio accessories. Advanced video features include 4K movie recording and in-body image stabilization.



The ZV-1’s features include a Background Defocus function, which allows users to quickly adjust the optical aperture between more and less background defocusing blur without losing focus on the subject, and a Product Showcase Setting, which allows for quick focus transitions between the subject’s face and the object placed in front of the lens. 


Building on the technology developed for α (Alpha brand) and RX series cameras, the ZV-1 includes advanced autofocus, Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking AF for video, which allows the camera to seamlessly switch focus between multiple subjects while controlling the AF speed and tracking sensitivity.


Face Priority autoexposure prioritizes the subject’s face and adjusts the exposure to ensure the face is depicted at an ideal brightness in any environment; this technology also suppresses an abrupt change in exposure if the subject quickly turns away from the frame, eliminating blown-out or extremely dark shots. In addition, the camera features new, advanced color science that optimizes skin tones in both still and video modes.


The ZV-1’s onboard mic features Sony’s latest Directional 3-capsule Mic, which was designed for forward-directional audio capture. The ZV-1 also features an industry-standard mic jack (3.5mm) and Multi Interface Shoe, facilitating connection to a wide range of external microphones. The ZV-1 is also supplied with a wind-screen accessory that fits on the MI Shoe to minimize wind interference. 


Weighing approximately 10½ ounces, the ZV-1 is the first Sony compact camera with a flip-out, tiltable LCD Screen, allowing creators to utilize the MI shoe for optional external mics without needing an additional mounting bracket. 


The ZV-1 also includes advances in image stabilization. When recording in HD (Active mode), optical and electronic stabilization methods are combined to reduce shaking up to 11x that of standard SteadyShot image stabilization. When shooting 4K video using Optical SteadyShot (Active mode), there is improvement in stabilization effect of up to 8x that of standard SteadyShot. The ZV-1 is also compatible with the GP-VPT2BT Shooting Grip with Wireless Remote Commander, offering additional stability and cable-free Bluetooth connectivity.


Users can transform the ZV-1 into a webcam by connecting it to a PC via USB, which allows content creators to interact with their followers in real time. Sony’s new PC software will be available in July 2020.


To accompany the ZV-1, Sony has also introduced a Vlogger Accessories Kit, which includes a GP-VPT2BT Shooting Grip with Wireless Remote Commander and 64GB Ultra High Speed Media Card. 



The Sony ZV-1 is priced at $749.99 through June 28. After that, it will list for $799.99. The Vlogger Accessories Kit lists for $149 but can be purchased with the ZV-1 at a $50 discount at participating retailers through June 28.


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