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The ZV-1 is one of the latest cameras from Sony and also proof that starting from a good base you can make products for very specific audiences. In this case, it is about youtubers, vloggers and other video creators who have very specific equipment needs that a conventional camera cannot always offer, even if it records video.

From the outset, we can say that this base is the Sony RX100 family. Compact cameras with a one-inch sensor, fixed optics and 20 megapixels that, although they record video, are designed especially for photography lovers.

The ZV-1 takes those same characteristics but turns the equation upside down. Everything in it is thought first for the video. The possibility of taking photos is still there, and it does them well, but it is not the raison d'être of the product.

How do you get it? Fundamentally with two changes. The first is a flip screen that allows the user to record themselves. This may seem trivial (many cameras on the market have it) but it was not a common feature in the cameras of the Japanese company.

The second change is the autofocus system, which is incredibly fast and works very close to the target.

This is especially useful for youtubers and vloggers who often want to show a product to the camera. On a mobile, where everything is focused, it is usually not a problem but when you have quality optics and a larger sensor size, with a more limited field of focus, especially in low light areas, it is very much appreciated.

In general, the camera complies with what is proposed. It is very light and produces very good results. For vloggers and travel youtubers, this alone is worth it. They often have to switch with heavy cameras and multiple optics in order to get the right shots for videos.

With a focal range that goes from 24mm (26mm. For video clipping) to 70mm. the ZV-1 smoothly covers most scenes, albeit those 24/26 mm. They may be a little fair when holding the camera in your hand to record yourself (Sony sells a tripod grip as an accessory that makes everything a little easier).

The integrated three-capsule microphone also does an excellent job capturing the user's voice and even some of the ambient noise. Sony includes a wind shield and of course the camera supports an external microphone but - this is important - it has no possibility to monitor the recording. Since it is a product designed for you to record yourself it is not a big problem but it is one of the few "buts" that you can put on the camera. The other is the choice of a Micro USB port as an interface to connect to a PC and charge the camera. In 2020 USB-C would have been a much more logical option.

The video (4K HDR) recorded by the ZV-1 has very good quality, even in low light scenes. The sensor sensitivity is high and the noise reduction algorithm does a good job. Sony also has a button that automates a very popular effect, the background blur. Basically it's a button that selects the maximum lens aperture to lower the focus field as much as possible. With a 1-inch sensor, you don't get a very dramatic blur effect, but it's enough to focus attention on the subject rather than the background, and certainly much better than what can be done with a mobile phone.

The camera even has a built-in neutral density filter to achieve this effect even in bright scenes where opening the lens to the maximum would not be optimal. The filter can also when taking pictures although, as we have already mentioned, it is not the main function of this product. Even the controls and buttons on the body are clearly thought to optimize video recording, not photo recording.

For long recordings it is important to consider the limitations that the temperature of the sensor can impose. We did not find any problems during our tests but Sony recommends setting the high temperature auto shutdown system to the maximum value if 4K is to be recorded for a long time.

Like many of today's cameras, it is easy to connect it to a mobile to download the recorded videos and photos. The ZV-1, in any case, includes some basic color editing options and can also record in S-Log, a recording mode with specific exposure settings and color sensitivity for those who are going to perform color grading (color correction). ) using a computer during the post-production phase.

For the more advanced YouTubers the ZV-1 may fall a bit short. They will prefer the flexibility of an interchangeable optics system with a larger sensor size. For those who travel or have a more casual style in their videos, however, this camera is perfect. It saves traveling with heavy equipment, produces more than optimal results and its advanced autofocus system makes the results almost perfect as soon as you leave the device. The camera is already on sale at a price of 799 euros.

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