Sony has announced the ZV-1 II, price tag €1000 / £870, a successor to the popular ZV-1 vlogging camera which comes with an enhanced lens, AF and recording capabilities.
Chief among the Sony ZV-1 II’s specs are a refined lens, this time an ultra-wide zoom to better accommodate groups and to give selfies more environmental context. The new Sony camera’s Zeiss Vario Sonar T* 18-50mm F1.8-4 lens (35mm equivalent) can also extend to 100mm using Sony’s digital Clear Image zoom. What’s more, zoom operation is possible with selectable zoom steps via the camera’s touch screen.
Aimed at more experienced vloggers, the Sony ZV-1 II uses a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch sensor paired with Sony’s BIONZ X image processor. Sony says the new ZV-series camera performs better in low light and captures better bokeh than its predecessor. In fact, the ZV-1 II features a customisable button on the camera body to adjust bokeh.
The ZV-1 Mark II records in 4K at up to 30p, with S-Log3 and S-Log2 recording options for greater dynamic range. New to ZV-1 II are a series of Cinematic Vlog settings designed to make your footage look more professional via a single tap on the camera’s touchscreen. Users can also choose from four Moods and 10 Creative Looks to apply to their movies or stills.
Sony says the ZV-1 II touchscreen is fully touch capable, unlike the original ZV-1 which offers only basic touch operation. What’s more, Sony has aimed to recreate the smartphone experience, allowing users to swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access frequently used settings. Vertical recording is also possible using Sony’s optional grip.
Shot Mark mode lets you tap the screen to flag key moments in your videos to help you locate them easier in post-production, and the camera’s new USB-C port allows you to livestream by connecting to a computer or Xperia smartphone.
Other new features on the Sony ZV-1 II include the addition of Animal subject recognition in addition to Humans, built-in ND filter and a revamped 3-capsule built-in microphone that lets you change directivity of the audio from front, rear or all direction. Sony is also releasing a new option ECM-G1 microphone that mounts to the camera’s hotshoe.
Sony ZV-1 II Price & Release Date
The Sony ZV-1 II price tag will be €1000 / £870, with a release date set middle of June 2023.