Sony ZV-1: everything we know so far about the vlogging and YouTube camera

It is taken a long time for the massive camera suppliers to manner the ideal vlogging camera, and several would argue it even now has not arrived – but it appears like Sony is heading to have a great crack with the rumored Sony ZV-1.

Described as a “compact selfie camera” by Sony Alpha Rumors, which claims to have been given some leaked photographs and specs, the ZV-1 so much appears to be a video-oriented take on a Sony RX100-type camera.

That would seem to include things like Sony’s most current autofocus tech, alongside with some characteristics that we haven’t found on any Sony cameras so much. But what else could we hope from a Sony ZV-1 and what characteristics would we like to see? 

This is every thing we know so much, moreover our ideas on what it demands to rise to the major of our ideal vlogging cameras guideline.

Sony ZV-1 launch date and value

So much, all we know about the Sony ZV-1 is that it is most likely to be introduced on Could 26. According to the Sony Alpha Twitter account, this is when Sony will be launching a “new compact camera”.

The launch is thanks to take put on Could 26 at 10am ET / 3pm BST, which is midnight on 27 Could AEST.

You can find no news still on when it may possibly ship or how stock could be affected by the world wide pandemic, but we really should listen to extra about that all through the event.

5.26.2020 👀 pic.twitter.com/hIdB7fyNAuMay 19, 2020

We also do not have any strategy of pricing still, but can speculate primarily based on Sony’s recent compact cameras. The ZV-1’s rumored design and style, lens and autofocus propose it will intently abide by Sony’s RX100 line – in unique, the RX100 V and in advance of. This is due to the fact, like people cameras, it is predicted to have a 24-70mm f/1.8-f/2.8 lens.

If that is the case, the ZV-1 could come with a comparatively significant value tag – the Sony RX100 V, for illustration, even now has an official sale value of $850 / £900 / AU$1,400, whilst it can at the moment be discovered for much less than that.

That stated, the leaked photographs of the camera propose the ZV-1 would not have an digital viewfinder, which would help bring the value down substantially. We’re hoping this implies its value could be in the ballpark of one particular of its key rivals, the Canon G7X Mark III, which you can at the moment find for $seven-hundred / £650 / AU$1,099. But we will have wait around for the official launch on Could 26 to find out.

Sony ZV-1 news and leaks

Some apparent leaks from Nokishita and Sony Alpha Rumors have disclosed much of what we can most likely hope from the Sony ZV-1.

The apparent press textual content leak from Nokishita describes the Sony ZV-1 as currently being a 20.1MP, 1-inch compact camera that can shoot 4K video and is “created for vloggers and material creators”.

As the silhouette in Sony’s event poster shows, the ZV-1 will have a side-hinged screen, which is excellent for vlogging. And the Nokishita leak implies this will be joined by a 24-70mm zoom lens, which is the identical focal variety as previously RX100 cameras like the Sony RX100 Mark V. This may possibly disappoint some who were being hoping for a broader lens, but we have discovered prior RX100 cameras to be good for handheld vlogging.

If the leak is right, it appears like the ZV-1 will also have some characteristics for vlogging rookies, such as a ‘Bokeh Switch’ (which presumably alterations the aperture, alternatively than including any computational trickery) and ‘Product showcase’ for YouTubers who like carrying out merchandise review videos. It will apparently also come with a a few-capsule microphone and a three.5mm enter jack for people who want to incorporate an external microphone.

Just one characteristic we specially like on the RX100 VII, which is the most current product in that sequence, is the autofocus. Its Authentic-time Eye AF performs in video method, and it seems like that could also be the case in the ZV-1, with the leaked specs stating it will include “current Authentic Time AF and Authentic time Eye AF”. We’re taking that to suggest the most current versions of that autofocus tech, which is between the ideal around.

That Nokishita leak adopted what appeared to be the initial leaked photographs of the ZV-1 from Sony Alpha Rumors (previously mentioned). 

These propose it will have a very similar design and style to the Sony RX100 sequence, with a handful of alterations – alterations like a very substantial video recording button and that side-flipping screen, which is extra suited for vlogging than the vertical flip-screen on the Sony RX100 VII.

In general, this design and style and characteristic established would make the rumored ZV-1 a most likely superb compact vlogging camera. If it does certainly merge Authentic-time Eye AF for video and the RX100 Mark V’s 24-70mm f/1.8 to f/2.8 lens, that would be a good combination that could see it go forward of the Canon G7X Mark III in our list of the ideal vlogging cameras.

What we want to see in the Sony ZV-1

All those are all of the rumored characteristics for the Sony ZV-1 so much, but what would we preferably like to see in a compact vlogging camera?

1. Microphone and headphone jacks 

The Sony RX100 VII ultimately brought the microphone jack to Sony’s compacts for the initial time, so we very much hope the Sony ZV-1 does the identical.

The rumors propose that it will come with an “enhanced mic” (presumably when compared to the RX100 sequence), but the means to plug in an external microphone is even now a ought to for a vlogging camera.

As great as the ZV-1’s on-board microphone may possibly be, it would struggle to conquer a lavalier lapel mic that is closer to your face or something even even larger for actually experienced audio. A headphone jack would also make it much less complicated to look at your sound degrees all through playback.

2. Livestreaming to YouTube

A very wise characteristic on the Canon G7X Mark III (previously mentioned), which at the moment sits next in our list of the ideal vlogging cameras, is the means to stream specifically to YouTube about Wi-Fi.

That characteristic, which was something of a precursor to Canon’s beta software that allows you flip some of its cameras into webcams, is a most likely excellent one particular for YouTubers who like to shoot a mix of pre-recorded videos and livestreams.

It has not been found on any Sony cameras still, but we hope the ZV-1 features an equivalent to improve its opportunity.

 

three. Lively SteadyShot stabilization in 4K

Just one of the most vital characteristics for any vlogging camera is stabilization – it won’t matter how great the sensor or video top quality is if the footage is far too shaky.

Although it is not likely to be capable to match the gimbal-primarily based stabilization of the DJI Osmo Pocket, we hope the Sony ZV-1 features Lively Steadyshot stabilization that performs when you are taking pictures 4K.

Although it would suggest a slight crop of your footage, the combination of optical and software stabilization would make handheld going for walks footage much extra usable.