Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera **OPEN BOX **

Content creators and influencers can celebrate the arrival of the Sony ZV-1, a compact camera specifically designed to merge the established imaging prowess of the RX100-series with an enhanced physical layout that facilitates efficient content production.

The ZV-1 is equipped with a side-flip 3.0" touchscreen and a directional 3-capsule microphone, making it ideal for front-facing recording. It also includes features tailored for this audience, such as the Product Showcase Setting, Background Defocus function, Soft Skin Effect, and Face Priority Auto-Exposure. Despite its slim and lightweight profile, the ZV-1 boasts a substantial right-hand grip, which is advantageous for one-handed recording. Additional features include a front tally lamp, a larger REC button located on the top plate, and a Multi Interface Shoe for accessory attachment. The camera is outfitted with an impressive ZEISS 24-70mm-equivalent standard zoom lens, offering a bright f/1.8-2.8 maximum aperture range. Furthermore, the Active SteadyShot image stabilization system is designed to enhance recording stability while in motion, minimizing the effects of camera shake for smoother footage.

Internally, the ZV-1 incorporates well-known imaging features, including a 20.1MP 1"-type Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor and a BIONZ X image processor with front-end LSI, which together deliver rapid performance and broad sensitivity for various shooting conditions. These processing capabilities enable Real-Time Eye AF and Real-Time Tracking for swift and accurate focusing and subject tracking. Regarding video specifications, the camera supports UHD 4K recording at 30p for extended shooting sessions, and a micro-HDMI port is available for connecting to an external recorder or monitor if needed. Additionally, footage benefits from Sony's S-Log3/2 and HLG picture profiles, which align with their professional cine cameras, providing enhanced color accuracy, dynamic range, and detail during recording.

Content Creator and Vlogging Features

The 3.0" 921.6k-dot LCD touchscreen at the rear is designed with a side flip-out mechanism, making it particularly suitable for self-filming or capturing selfies in a user-friendly and instinctive way. With the screen's lateral flip-out feature, the top plate has been re-engineered to include a directional three-capsule microphone, which is tailored for capturing forward-directional audio. Additionally, a specialized windscreen for the integrated microphone is provided to enhance audio clarity during outdoor recording sessions.

Firmware version 2.00 facilitates camera livestreaming by connecting the camera to a computer through USB, thereby enabling the ZV-1 to utilize its video and audio features for live social media broadcasts and video conferencing. This update supports UVC and UAC standards, enhancing both image and sound quality during streaming. Furthermore, the firmware update ensures compatibility between the ZV-1 and Sony's Xperia smartphones, allowing for mobile livestreaming by using the smartphone as a hotspot and a secondary display for monitoring the live feed and viewing comments.

The device is equipped with both a 3.5mm microphone port and a Multi Interface Shoe, enhancing its compatibility with various accessories. Its compact and lightweight design is further enhanced by a user-friendly right-hand grip, facilitating comfortable and efficient one-handed operation. Additionally, a prominently placed REC button allows for quick identification. A front tally lamp acts as a visual cue to indicate when recording is in progress.

The Product Showcase setting is particularly well-suited for vlogging and product demonstrations, facilitating seamless focus transitions between a subject's face and an object positioned in front of the camera. The Background Defocus feature allows for an immediate switch to the maximum aperture setting (f/1.8-2.8) via a custom button, enabling the isolation of the subject through shallow depth of field and bokeh effects. Additionally, a built-in ND filter enhances this mode's performance in bright lighting conditions by managing overexposure.

The Face-Priority AE function identifies the subject's face and adjusts the exposure accordingly, ensuring optimal brightness even when transitioning from well-lit areas to shaded ones. This AE technology also mitigates sudden exposure changes when the subject quickly turns away from the frame, preventing unexpected overexposed or underexposed shots.

Advanced color science enhances the optimization of skin tones for various subjects in both still images and video formats, ensuring a healthy and natural appearance that accommodates diverse ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds. The Soft Skin Effect feature allows for the softening and smoothing of wrinkles or imperfections on a subject's face, resulting in a naturally smooth complexion. The default setting is Mid, with options to adjust to Off, Low, or High. For extended recordings, the Auto Power OFF Temp. function can be set to High to enable longer continuous video capture.

Active SteadyShot represents a sophisticated image stabilization feature designed to maintain stable video capture during movement, particularly in handheld scenarios while walking. This mode integrates both optical and electronic stabilization techniques to achieve superior outcomes. When filming in HD with Active mode, the reduction of camera shake is enhanced by as much as 11 times compared to the conventional SteadyShot. Similarly, when recording in 4K with Active mode, the mitigation of camera shake is improved by up to 8 times relative to standard SteadyShot.

20.1MP 1" Exmor RS CMOS Sensor & BIONZ X Image Processor

The 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS CMOS sensor employs a sophisticated stacked architecture that incorporates an integrated DRAM chip, resulting in exceptional image quality across the ISO range of 100-12800, coupled with remarkably swift performance. This innovative design combines the pixel area, a high-speed signal processing circuit, and memory to enhance data throughput, facilitating features such as Single Burst Shooting, an Anti-Distortion shutter, UHD 4K video, and additional capabilities. Furthermore, this 1" sensor is equipped with 315 phase-detection autofocus points and 425 contrast detection zones, ensuring quicker and more accurate focusing.

Complementing this sensor is an upgraded BIONZ X image processor along with a front-end LSI, which significantly boosts the speed and efficiency of the entire imaging system. This enhancement allows for blackout-free continuous shooting at rates of up to 24 frames per second, with continuous autofocus and exposure calculations occurring at a frequency of 60 times per second. The combination of the front-end LSI and the improved sensor performance also elevates overall image quality, particularly at elevated sensitivities, by minimizing noise and enhancing perceived resolution and color fidelity.

ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm Lens

Covering a versatile 24-70mm equivalent focal length, the integrated ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens is well-suited for a variety of shooting scenarios. Its compact and retractable design does not compromise its impressive maximum aperture range of f/1.8-2.8, which is advantageous for low-light photography and for achieving a shallow depth of field to effectively isolate subjects. The lens features a carefully engineered optical design that includes specialized elements aimed at minimizing aberrations and distortions, ensuring high levels of sharpness and precise image rendering. Additionally, a ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to reduce reflections and glare, enhancing contrast and color accuracy.

This adaptable focal range is further enhanced by Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, which effectively reduces the effects of camera shake, making it ideal for handheld shooting in challenging lighting conditions.

UHD 4K Video Recording

The ZV-1 is capable of recording UHD 4K video at frame rates of 30 and 24 fps, delivering films with remarkable clarity. By employing a full pixel readout without binning, the camera captures approximately 1.7 times the data required for 4K output. This oversampling technique enhances clarity while minimizing the effects of moiré and jagged edges. For sharper recordings, the Active SteadyShot mode can be utilized, which prioritizes smoothness and mitigates the appearance of camera shake. During video recording, Fast Hybrid AF ensures precise and rapid tracking through the use of phase-detection AF points. Additionally, the camera supports Sony's advanced XAVC S format, allowing for high bit rates of up to 100 Mb/s. Alongside high-resolution internal recording, the uncompressed HDMI output facilitates the connection of an optional external recorder for pristine 4K recording with 4:2:2 sampling.

The ZV-1 provides extensive customizable options for color and gamma settings, enabling users to modify gamma, black level, knee, color level, and more. Users can also utilize the S-Log2 Gamma Curve, which is featured in high-end Sony Cinema cameras, allowing for an impressive 1300% increase in dynamic range compared to traditional REC709, thus enhancing post-production flexibility. Support for HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) is included, along with the BT.2020 color space, enabling recording within a broad color gamut. Furthermore, S-Log3 is available, offering an effective 14-stop dynamic range with enhanced grading control in the shadow to mid-tone areas of the image.

The ZV-1 excels in speed, providing users with advanced High Frame Rate shooting capabilities and super slow motion options. In Full HD, users can access a standard 120 fps setting, which allows for exceptional slow-motion effects during editing. Additionally, the camera features a dedicated HFR mode that elevates the frame rate to an impressive 960 fps.

The camera is equipped with a Photo Capture function that enables users to swiftly extract an 8.29MP still image from their UHD 4K videos. This feature is also applicable to Full HD recordings, allowing for the extraction of a 2MP still image. Furthermore, the camera supports NTSC/PAL switching, making it suitable for global use. It also allows for the recording of vertical videos, which include embedded metadata to adjust for the vertical orientation during playback.

Fast Hybrid AF System with 315 Phase-Detection Points

The ZV-1 features an advanced on-sensor phase-detection autofocus system that significantly enhances autofocus performance for both photographs and videos. This camera employs a hybrid approach, incorporating 315 phase-detection points that span roughly 65% of the frame, in conjunction with a 425-area contrast-detection system. This combination allows for rapid and precise focusing across various scenarios. The camera is capable of swiftly locking onto subjects and utilizes Real-time Tracking for AI-driven tracking of moving objects. Additionally, Real-time Eye AF, effective for both humans and animals, guarantees exceptional sharpness when capturing portraits.

Wireless Connectivity

The integrated Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities facilitate the immediate transfer of images to mobile devices, allowing for direct sharing on social media platforms, via email, and to cloud storage services. Once paired, the connected mobile device can showcase a live view image on its display and, through the Smart Remote Control feature, can operate the camera's shutter release remotely. Furthermore, users can connect to a smartphone using a QR code, and the ZV-1 is compatible with the Movie Edit add-on available in the Imaging Edge mobile application. Additionally, Bluetooth connectivity allows for the connection to the optional GP-VPT2BT Wireless Shooting Grip, enhancing camera control efficiency.

Other Camera Features

• Interval shooting mode is ideal for creating time-lapse movies with the aid of Imaging Edge software. Intervals can be selected between 1-60 seconds for recording up to 9999 sequential free. Also, in-camera battery charging is possible via the USB port using a portable battery to benefit long interval shooting sessions.
  
  
• Anti-Distortion electronic shutter can enable completely silent shooting as well as the ability to work at shutter speeds as fast as 1/32000 second. This shutter also keeps rolling shutter effects to an absolute minimum and enables photographers to work in bright light with wider apertures.
  
  
• The Fn menu can be accessed and edited immediately after continuous shooting, while data writing is still in progress.
  
  
• File name setting allows users to change the first three characters of the file name from DSC to three characters of their choice. Additionally, images shot in continuous mode can also be displayed, reviewed, and deleted in the groups they were shot for faster operation.
  
  
• Step Zoom lets you quickly change between five common focal lengths (24, 28, 35, 50, or 70mm) by rotating the control ring.
  
  
• Users can set a minimum shutter speed when using ISO AUTO to help minimize shutter blur.
  
  
• Creative Style settings: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn Leaves, Black & White, Sepia, and Style Box.
  
  
• Picture Effect modes: Toy Camera, Pop Color, Posterization, Retro Photo, Soft High-Key, Partial Color, High Contrast Mono, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Richtone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, and Illustration.
  
  
• Picture Profile parameters: Black Level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-2, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1, HLG2, HLG3), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Depth, Color Phase, Detail, Copy and Reset.