[SECTION]INTRODUCTION[/SECTION]

 

 

With vlogging becoming an ever more popular choice, it is inevitable that there will be a rise in the number of cameras geared up specifically. Many may still need a camera bag to be effectively carried, perhaps being an interchangeable lens and having too much bulk for a pocket. The ZV-1 II on the other hand easily slips into a pocket and has a solidly made but fixed retractable zoom lens with a built-in lens shield, so no lens cap is needed. This is all excellent, but of course, this means a very small camera with very small controls. Let’s take a look at how this affects handling and also of course at what sort of quality of results we might expect.

 

Sony ZV-1 II Features

The first impression is of a tiny camera that will easily slip into a jacket pocket.

It measures up at just 105.5mm x 60mm x 46.7mm and weighs in at a feather-light 292g. Add the wind screen by slipping it into the hotshoe and it could even be described as cute, with its mop-top haircut straight from the 1960s. There is a fair bit of reference to sustainability in the mission statement from Sony, and this extends beyond recyclable packaging even to the wind screen, which is manufactured using recycled PET bottles.

The Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 6.9-17.6mm f/1.8-4 zoom lens retracts into the body and is protected by a shield. Obviously, this is not to be pressed and strained, but with sensible care, the camera might be popped into a pocket as it is, without the need for a case of any kind.

A quick tour of the top plate reveals a number of buttons plus a nicely placed zoom lever. Unfortunately, the zoom action is quite noisy and can be clearly heard on recordings. The on/off switch gets hidden by the wind shield, but it can be reached by feeling for it. The stills/movie/S&Q button cycles through the options. The red ring button is the movie start/stop. There is a C1 button that can be customised and by default controls the ND filter. Finally, the shutter release button, which has a precise feel to it that can be accurately judged.

 

The “intelligent” microphone is on the top panel and it can sort out where the sound is coming from, or we can specify all round, front or back. It picks up the ambient sound rather well, unfortunately, as mentioned, also picking up the sound of the lens zoom.

There are three sockets on the right end of the camera, microphone, USB-C connector and HDMI Micro Connector Type D. The battery and SD card share a housing on the base. The tiny NP-BX1 battery has a pretty meagre running time, only managing 290 shots or 75 minutes, and carrying at least a couple of spares would be a good idea.

The metal tripod socket is at the left end of the baseplate, which, depending on the tripod head used, will probably leave the battery door free. This means that the camera need not be dismounted from tripod or monopod to change a battery or card. It is also light enough to mean that the off-centre support is more than adequate even if not the optimum placement for the best stability.

 

The features are undoubtedly movie-orientated, and Electronic IS is available, along with various video options. For vlogging, the optional GP-VPT2BT shooting grip could be well worth considering, both for stability and ease of use when shooting selfies.

Focusing is moderately fast and keeps up with movie shooting pretty well. One useful trick is the Product Showcase setting, where priority is given at all times to a product being discussed and demonstrated. A useful trick perhaps for another unboxing video…

The back of the camera is dominated by the 3-inch monitor and has the usual Sony layout of controls, albeit small, quite fiddly versions.

 

Sony ZV-1 II Features

• 1.0-Type Exmoor RS CMOS sensor 13.2mm x 8.8mm
• Stills 21MP
• Video 16.8MP
• Intelligent stereo mike with detachable wind shield
• Shutter speeds (stills) 1/32000s – 1/4s
• Shutter speeds (Movies) 1/12800s – 1s
• ISO range 125-12800 plus Auto, extends to ISO 80 and 100.
• Vari-angle 7.5cm (3.0”) TFT touch panel with 921600 dots
• USB-C charging
• HDMI Micro Connector Type D
• Wireless LAN
• Bluetooth
• Electronic IS for movies
• Accessibility with Screen Reader function
• Battery life 290 shots
• Movie battery life 75 minutes
• USB streaming MJPEG 1280 x 720 30p
• Creative Look digital filters
• Product Showcase setting
• Bokeh switch
• Optional GP-VPT2BT shooting grip

 

Sony ZV-1 II Handling

 

The beauty of a simple camera ethos is that it can be picked up and used, given a small degree of familiarity with the particular marque. This particularly applies to the shooting of video, and the results of this approach are very respectable MP4 movies, suitable for the web and suitable for vlogging. The optional grip would add something to the ease of use and it is a pity it was not supplied for this review, but on the other hand, add the grip and you lose the ability to carry a tiny camera with a moderately big performance.

The minuscule size does bring problems of its own. When being carried switched on and ready to shoot, it is all too easy to alter a setting or press a button and find that we are no longer shooting stills but movies instead. The ISO button, unmarked but on the right of the four-way controller, is particularly vulnerable and all too often a shot might be taken at ISO 12800 instead of the desired setting. The rotary dial around the four-way controller is also an irritatingly sensitive way to change the aperture. However, it has to be accepted that changing these things would mean a much larger camera.

It is quite likely that anyone routinely using a smartphone for vlogging will already be quite familiar with sensitive controls and for them, it might not be such an issue. If the style of operation suits then the ZV-1 II might be enjoyed for its improved quality and increased potential.

 

[SECTION]PERFORMANCE[/SECTION]

 

Sony ZV-1 II Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

 

Sony ZV-1 II Sample Photos

 

Lens Performance – The built-in lens is labelled Zeiss and this gives some expectation of superior performance. It has a wide aperture of f/1.8 at the widest end and this might well be needed as the shutter speed range for stills ends at 1/4s. The lens is equivalent in terms of field of view to an 18-50mm lens, which makes it wider than the original ZV-1. This is an advantage, particularly for vlogging. The lens gives bright, sharp, attractive images in brighter light, but images are not so good when the light levels fall. Given its main application, whilst the making of A3 prints may not be the purview of the lens, then the vlogging experience and general travel photography are certainly accomplished effectively.

 

Sony ZV-1 II ISO test images

 

ISO Noise Performance – ISO performance suffers from the small sensor size. Shots up to ISO 400 are fine, although a small amount of noise is already becoming visible. At ISO 800 sharpness is failing and by ISO 1600 the edges of the boxes of our test chart are breaking down and becoming fuzzy. ISO 3200 is noisy, ISO 6400 sees the edge detail disappearing and ISO 12800 is very noisy, with little detail in the dark areas.

 

Sony ZV-1 II White-balance test images

 

White Balance Performance – White balance settings include all the usual Sony settings. The AWB is excellent and will probably be used most of the time, but there is still a place for more specific choices. Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, four Fluorescent settings, Flash, AWB Underwater, Colour Temperature and four custom settings complete the choices. Cloudy is perhaps most useful for warming up images and has an effect similar to an 81A filter. Shade prevents unduly purple results in woodland shadows. A good range of options.

 

Sony ZV-1 II Digital filters

 

Digital Filters – The range of digital filters is useful and interesting, although as always some choices seem a little mysterious. The black and white setting results in good monochrome images, but unfortunately when shooting the camera still shows the scene in colour, so it is difficult to judge what the final effect will be until after it is shot, when it can be reviewed as monochrome.

 

 

 

Video – In video mode, battery life is quoted at 75 minutes. The video quality when shooting casually is actually very good. Zooming during filming might be best avoided because of the noisy zoom. This could well suit those who do not want a more immersive experience. Video files are stored separately from JPEG still images on the SD card and can be found in Private>Clip>M4 Root. The optional Sony GP-VPT2BT wireless grip could be a very practical addition if the camera is to be used handheld.

If the user wants to progress further, then the camera does support S-Log3 and S-Gamut3. There are also various cine picture profiles to experiment with. Basic video capture is Full HD up to 120p or 4K up to 30p.

[SECTION]VERDICT[/SECTION]

 

Value For Money

The [AMUK]Sony ZV-1 II|Sony+ZV-1+II[/AMUK] is priced at £869, with the optional GP-VPT2BT wireless grip being £170.

Alternatives might be:

• [AMUK]Sony ZV-1|Sony+ZV+camera[/AMUK], £649
• [AMUK]Sony ZV-1F|Sony+ZV+camera[/AMUK], £549
• [AMUK]Sony ZV-E10|Sony+ZV+camera[/AMUK], £679
• [AMUK]Sony ZV-E10 + 16-50mm|Sony+ZV+camera[/AMUK], £769
• [AMUK]Sony ZV-E1|Sony+ZV+camera[/AMUK], £2349
• [AMUK]Sony ZV-E1 + 28-60mm|Sony+ZV+camera[/AMUK], £2599

It leaves the new camera looking a tad expensive, but the wider angle of the lens is helpful and might be the deciding factor.

 

Sony ZV-1 II Verdict

The wider angle lens is a real plus and if I were moving into vlogging then this camera might be a good way to start. It produces clean, clear movies with little input from the user, right from the start. So far so good, the only pity being the fairly average stills performance and the fiddly nature of the controls. However, it has all the connectivity, the easy video operation and the very compact form factor all going for it. The price is maybe a little high, but this may settle after it is no longer new. The addition of the wireless grip would seem a good move, addressing some of the handling quirks. The conclusion is a fiddly camera with average stills performance, but a simple way to get to grips with starting up vlogging.

[REVIEW_FOOTER]R_features=4|R_handling=3|R_performance=3.5|R_value=3.5|R_overall=3.5|A_level=3.55|A_text= An easy intro to vlogging and shooting video in a compact travel and social orientated camera.|E_id=7982[/REVIEW_FOOTER]

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