Request a product
Photo 1 of 23

Sony ZV-1 II · Photo source

Sony ZV-1 II
Photo 1 of 23

Sony ZV-1 II · Photo source

Sony · ZV vlogging cameras

ZV-1 II

Released June 2023

A compact vlogging camera with an 18–50 mm equivalent zoom, articulating touchscreen and selectable microphone direction.

Model history · 2 models, 2020–2023
  1. 2020ZV-1Compare
  2. 2023ZV-1 II
Type
Compact
Sensor
1.0-type
Megapixels
20.1
Lens
18–50 mm equivalent
Video
3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Body weight
266 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews welcomed the wider lens, improved touch controls and selectable microphone direction, but found battery endurance limited. PhotographyBlog preferred it for vlogging while recommending the original ZV-1 for stills, given the shorter zoom and loss of optical stabilisation. TechRadar liked the detail and responsive handling but questioned the higher price and omission of a charging cable.

From photographyblog.com and techradar.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type
Compact
Sensor format
1.0-type
Sensor type
Exmor RS CMOS
Sensor dimensions
13.2 × 8.8 mm
Effective resolution
20.1 MP
Largest image
5472 × 3648
RAW recording
Yes
Standard ISO range
125–12800
Sensor detail
1.0-type optical format; physical dimensions 13.2 × 8.8 mm; approximately 21 million total photosites and up to 16.8 MP effective movie pixels
Image formats
JPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 4.0) and RAW+JPEG; XAVC S movies using H.264 compression and two-channel LPCM audio
ISO detail
Standard ISO 125–12800; expanded lower limit ISO 80; Auto ISO with adjustable limits. PhotographyBlog's introductory ISO 100 figure is not the maker's standard lower limit
Image processor
BIONZ X

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens
18–50 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture
f/1.8–4
Stabilisation
Electronic only
Maximum continuous burst
24 fps
Lens detail
ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T*; actual focal length 6.9–17.6 mm; nine elements in nine groups, including five aspherical elements; seven-blade aperture; three-stop ND filter; minimum focus approximately 5 cm from the lens
Autofocus
Fast Hybrid AF; up to 315 phase-detection points for stills or 273 for movies; human and animal recognition for stills and movies; adjustable movie AF transition speed and subject-shift sensitivity
Shutter
Electronic shutter; still range 1/32000–1/4 second; movie range 1/12800–1 second; external-flash sync 1/100 second
Burst detail
Continuous Hi up to approximately 24 fps; maker buffer claims 170 Extra Fine, 188 Fine or 189 Standard large JPEGs, 80 RAW or 78 RAW+JPEG frames
Stabilisation detail
Electronic Active Mode for movies, with an additional crop; unavailable for 120p recording or 120 fps S&Q; no optical or sensor-shift stabilisation
Flash
No built-in flash; compatible Sony external flash through the Multi Interface Shoe
Exposure controls
±3 EV compensation in 1/3 steps; Product Showcase, Background Defocus, Soft Skin Effect, Creative Look and Cinematic Vlog settings

Video

Highest video resolution
3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Video detail
XAVC S 4K 8-bit 4:2:0 at 29.97/23.98 fps NTSC, up to 100 Mbit/s; Full HD up to 119.88 fps. Cinematic Vlog records black bars into the 16:9 file to give a 2.35:1 image area at 23.98 fps; it is not a separate wider recording resolution
Audio
Intelligent three-capsule microphone with automatic, front, rear or all-direction pickup; supplied windscreen; 3.5 mm microphone input; Multi Interface Shoe does not support the digital audio interface

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder
None
Screen size
3″
Screen dots
921,600
Touchscreen
Yes
Tilting screen
Yes
Display detail
Side-hinged TFT LCD opens approximately 176° and rotates approximately 270°; dots count colour subpixels; touch shooting controls, focus, tracking, shutter and AE

Connections and design

Wi-Fi
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)
290 photographs
Body weight
266 g
Release detail
Sony's UK announcement gives June 2023 availability; Sony Japan specifies 23 June. Month precision retains the earliest maker-stated retail window read
Recording media
Shared SD/Memory Stick Duo card slot; S&Q uses SDHC/SDXC Class 10 or faster, with UHS-I U3 for 100 Mbit/s
Ports
USB-C with USB 2.0, Micro HDMI Type D, 3.5 mm stereo microphone input and Multi Interface Shoe
Wireless connections
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz; Bluetooth 4.2; Creators' App transfer and remote operation
Battery life detail
NP-BX1; current maker CIPA claim approximately 290 still photographs, 45 minutes actual or 75 minutes continuous movie operation; TechRadar's 260-shot statement differs from the maker's current specification
Charging
In-camera USB charging and USB power supply; USB cable and mains adaptor not included
Dimensions
Approximately 105.5 × 60.0 × 46.7 mm (width × height × depth)
Weight detail
Approximately 266 g body only; 292 g including battery and memory card
In the box
NP-BX1 battery, windscreen and windscreen adaptor; shooting-grip kit includes GP-VPT2BT and a second battery (Japan)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Wide 18 mm equivalent lens and built-in ND filter
  • Touch-operated shooting controls and USB-C
  • RAW photographs and 4K video recording

Cons

  • Electronic movie stabilisation crops the image
  • No optical stabilisation or viewfinder

Closest rivals

Model
TypeSensorMegapixelsLensVideoBody weightReleased
SonyZV-1F
Compact1.0-type20.120 mm equivalent3840 × 2160 at 30 fps229 gOct 2022
SonyZV-1
Compact1.0-type20.124–70 mm equivalent3840 × 2160 at 30 fps267 gJun 2020
SonyCyber-shot RX0 II
Compact1.0-type15.324 mm equivalent3840 × 2160 at 30 fps117 gApr 2019

Previous model: ZV-1.

Sources

  1. sony.jp/vlogcam/products/ZV-1M2/spec
  2. sony.co.uk/presscentre/sony-announces-newest-ultra-wide-angle-zoom-vlogging-cam…
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/202305/23-0523
  4. sony.jp/vlogcam/products/ZV-1M2
  5. sony.jp/vlogcam/products/ZV-1M2/feature_1
  6. sony.jp/vlogcam/products/ZV-1M2/feature_2
  7. sony.jp/vlogcam/products/ZV-1M2/feature_3
  8. sony.jp/vlogcam/products/ZV-1M2/feature_4
  9. sony.jp/vlogcam/products/ZV-1M2/feature_5
  10. sony.jp/vlogcam/products/ZV-1M2/feature_6
  11. sony.jp/vlogcam/products/ZV-1M2/feature_7
  12. sony.jp/vlogcam/products/ZV-1M2/feature_8
  13. sony.co.uk/compact-cameras/products/zv-1m2
  14. sony.com/electronics/support/compact-cameras-zv-series/zv-1m2/manuals
  15. helpguide.sony.net/dc/2310/v1/en/index.html
  16. sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/5049/0765010ebb6719f027fd505a538f08a6/…
  17. helpguide.sony.net/di-app/ca/v1/en/index.html
  18. sony.co.uk/store/product/zv1m2bdi.eu/Sony-Vlog-Camera-ZV-1-II-Digital-camera-Va…
  19. sony.com.hk/press/pdf/20230523_e.pdf
  20. sony.co.uk/compact-cameras/products/zv-1m2/feature1
  21. sony.co.uk/compact-cameras/products/zv-1m2/feature2
  22. sony.co.uk/compact-cameras/products/zv-1m2/feature3
  23. sony.co.uk/compact-cameras/products/zv-1m2/feature4
  24. sony.co.uk/compact-cameras/products/zv-1m2/feature5
  25. sony.co.uk/compact-cameras/products/zv-1m2/feature6

Photo: sony.jp

Spot a mistake? Tell us