Sony – ZV-1F Vlog Camera for Content Creators and Vloggers – Black

Sony has released another vlogger camera in the ZV series – the ZV-1F, which is an adaptation of the previous model, the ZV-1. The box includes the camera, USB-to-USBC cable (for charging and transferring files), a basic mic with wind screen, 1 battery, and some user guides. The camera comes with a manufacturer’s 1-year warranty.
PROS:
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* Lens is fixed. Focus used is typically automatic for most people and can stay focused on the vlogger’s eyes
* Lens cover is completely removable
* Very light, compact, good grip, excellent ergonomics
* Switching between modes is easy – video, slo-motion video, and photo.
* When the camera can’t focus, the “focus square” in the middle of the shot turns purple. This is a nice and quick indicator on-screen.
* The 3 internal microphones do a great job at picking up audio and ambient noise. The wind screen attachment does its job to keep wind noise out of the audio recording.
* “Product Showcase” mode works well when showing a product in front of the camera then having the camera focus back in on the user’s face or something else when that product is removed.
* It has the availability of multiple picture profiles for setting the right color scene.
CONS:
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* Always a wide shot with everything in focus. There isn’t a good way to blur the background during recording
* Manual settings can be a bit tedious to access in the settings and using only the wheel control on the back.
* A simple addition to this camera that is missing is a basic 3.5mm headphones jack so the vlogger can hear if there is wind noise, or clothes rubbing against the mic, etc.
* The camera can’t shoot RAW photos which allows for better photo editing capabilities. But this being entry level is likely why this option is omitted.
* Video does have a “jello” effect when panning left and right too fast, so if you are walking and want to show things behind you, you will not want to pan left/right too fast… there may be some distortion there.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
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* Video can be in 4K but only at 24 or 30fps. If you need more fps, the user can dumb it down to 1080p at 120 fps.
CONCLUSION:
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To be clear, this is not a professional photographer’s camera. Though it has a number of options internally, it’s not going to give the user phenomenal shots you might see in magazines. It’s primary purpose is for vlogging, which in many cases, can be very basic when doing reviews of products. Most smartphones will take better still photos than this camera and even video. Keep in mind that the USE of the camera IS vlogging. Can you use a smartphone instead? Sure, but you end up having to use the selfie camera which may not be high quality, and you also won’t have a high quality microphone that comes on this camera (or a better one that can be purchased, like the Sony Vlogger Shotgun Mic. For vlogging specifically, it does the job well, and I would highly recommend.

Great low light recording, fast startup
Social media is all a buzz about this camera and here is my opinion now that I get to use it and see if its a hero or zero. And if I am only comparing it to my cell phones camera which cost me substantially more. As an enthusiast, the ZV1F definitely rides much closer to hero. The low light capture, wide field of view and really good auto focus features of the Sony ZV1F are easily better. And with removable batteries (NP-BX1, same as my 2 other Sony cams) and SD storage. It will be much easier for keeping it ready to get the next shot done.
From everything I have seen, read and experienced already, there are a few tradeoffs over the other ZV series cameras. I was more interested in testing what does work well for my interests. Since I am just starting into the world of sharing my hobbies on the internet. This looks to be a great camera to start with. Its affordable for the most part as a tool for capturing what I want to share. The 4K 24p setting seems to be a great setting for filming most of what I expect out of the camera. Low light is great. At arms length I fit the screen perfectly and the focus tracking seems to keep me in focus effortlessly. Auto settings may be the scourge of the pros, but it works well here. Sometimes easy is better than fiddling with a ton of options to get 5% improvement. While the ZV1F digital stability has its limits. If the subject is centered in the shot, it works well. Trail ride filming might be a stretch, but I have water and dust protected action cams for that. I do wish the ZV1F had an optical zoom and hot shoe for the Sony Microphone I also got for this camera. At least Sony did include a cold shoe and microphone port/jack for those who want a bit more from their audio. Also wish lens cover had been built in. Little too cheap to go with lens cap that will likely get lost.
It may have a few tradeoffs over its bigger brothers in the product line. It has a price to reflect that. But with a little add-on of some filters on the 40.5mm lens thread. It will take good pics and even better video. I see no reason this will not give several years of use till I upgrade or move on to the next hobby.
Bonus notes:
Be sure to flip the touch screen inward to the camera to protect screen in bag or pocket.
Consider the Best Buy package bundle to save a few more dollars. The “ACCVC1” Vlogger Accessory Kit is great to have. The tripod/hand grip controls made holding and using the camera easier. I also used the Sony ECMG1 shotgun microphone. It increased the audio levels and fullness in audio recording.