Sony ZV-1 Vlogging Camera Review: ALMOST perfect!

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The Sony ZV-1 (sdp.io/zv1) is a video camera for KZbinrs, vloggers, and other creators. It has a flippy screen and it’s in the right place - the side - where it won’t be blocked by the mic or tripod. It supports wireless microphone connections, or if you do want a wired microphone, the mic jack doesn’t block the screen! It has a product showcase feature that actually gets what you’re holding in focus for things like unboxings and makeup videos… and it works!
But it has some serious problems, too. The menu system and user interface are a holy nightmare, like every other Sony camera. You can’t change settings with the touchscreen, so you have to fumble around with fiddly little dials on the back of the camera. Active Stabilization promises to smooth out your walking or driving videos, but if you forget to turn it off, it will ruin tripod-mounted videos by introducing ugly shaking to them. Autoexposure is pretty unreliable. Wireless video transfers proved to be completely useless, making file management far more time consuming than necessary.

[@philipbloom]

Pro tip: Change autofocus from responsive and fast to standard and normal in the tracking/ speed menus and those autofocus issues completely go away. Here to help! 🙃

[@no15minutecities]

bloom..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@philipbloom]

@@no15minutecities sorry to bore you with useful information. I deeply apologise.

[@Elijah-fc3ex]

@@no15minutecities what a sad life you must live

[@4WheelsOnTheRoad]

Great tip @Phillip Bloom

[@GiriGagan]

Philip Bloom you are a legend keep those awesome tips coming...

[@katource1]

That’s why I like watching you guys reviewing new products when they comes out, for the in deep and pick apart views that make sense and informative before buying.

[@DustyCR]

For the two people focusing issue you had just use flexible spot focus mode and it will always focus on the person nearest to the focus point. Alternatively register the faces and then set the priority (ie set Chelsea s number 1 and of course Tony is a number 2 ;) )

[@TastyStreetFoods]

why sony don't give full touch screen control? any pattern issue?

[@bensgadgetreviews]

Thank you for this review. It covered so many things that others didn't. I do find it odd the title says "almost perfect" when you highlighted like eight flaws lol. Not a knock on you guys, I'm glad you guys highlighted the flaws! Very useful to know. Thanks.

[@Bankexamstoday]

I followed your tutorial to start my KZbin channel. Thanks for changing my life.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Aww, glad I could help!

[@ReneeMullingsLewis]

I’ve watched over 30 reviews and this was the best one. You found real issues not mentioned in any of the other videos. While all the other ones mentioned the same issue that everyone mentioned.... THANK YOU 🙏🏾

[@dkeberhard]

Thank you for a detailed, honest review that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of this camera. Most other reviews I've seen so far are gushing with praise and don't really explain the weaknesses. Appreciate your review.

[@MidgarMerc]

Been watching a couple reviews for this camera. They mostly all sing its praises and only cover the negatives very briefly so I love that your review goes into the details.

[@paulinefollett3099]

Thanks Chelsea and Tony for giving us a very honest review which I trust.

[@magnus547]

I absolutely love Tony's face near the end of the video where it's super softened by the ZV-1! Nice!

[@TechWithSean]

What do you think about the AX53 for vlogging? I use it for videos and it works great, plus the stabilization is amazing.

[@MrCameraJunkie]

Can you register your face to avoid the switching between faces?

[@MuhammadKharismawan]

3:00 can't you put face priority on for that?

[@Kurtiscott]

Love all of the little Chelsea comedy bits (“skin” and “I’m small” most notably). And Tony’s impeccable attention to detail comes through once again. Great review. You both truly rock this space.

[@smaakjeks]

1:06 - "Mmmmmit'swerking!"

[@seethruhead7119]

This is the best review of this camera so far. And I've watched so many. So many glaring issues.

[@Kainthemain]

your right

[@ghodge82]

With the camera how so? Versus what You want to use it for?

[@sYnSilentStorm]

Every review I see the first comment is always "this is the best review I've seen" every...single...one.

[@ROAMitRALPH]

Is it compatible with the ECM-B1M? I've been hearing conflicting reports with it either working or not with the ZV-1

[@GariClarkngb]

I’ve watched pretty much every video over the course of two days on KZbin and nobody apart from you guys said about the weird hunting when focusing and also the camera struggling with more than one face in the frame. Thank you for spotting that and being honest about it. You have a new sub!

[@sunlit777]

They also forgot to mention the screen cannot stay at the brightest setting in 4k and dims even further if you connect wi-fi controlling equipment. But for the focus these issies can be mitigated with settings

[@rjkral]

Love the Canon and Sony manual controls theme music!!! Great overview. Pros and definitely cons. Flippy screen is an A+ move finally!

[@360MIX]

Thank you for an HONEST Review... not afraid of the short coming from the camera...

[@AverageDadOfficial]

Should I buy the ZV1 for KZbin videos? Do you have a used one you want to sell?

[@yvesbuz759]

Thank you for this excellent review. Can we easily switch from video to photo? Is the lcd screen clear enough when it is sunny?

[@thewriter2549]

Good line - don't break my heart. As a creator, the stabilization? If I have to add a gimbal, then I will just keep on with my Hero 8 Black.

[@kapilgoyal5799]

gopro does not do background blur right?

[@Jo_Brody_]

Great review, what would you recommend as a smaller camera to vlog with if not this camera?

[@kore996]

Honestly I don’t even want the camera but watched and appreciate the detail you put in to the video. I’ve watched other KZbinrs videos on the same camera and nobody seems to go in to as much detail about the pros and cons or finding problems before people spend their hard earned money and realize afterwards that it may not be the camera for them. At least people will be aware of the issues ahead of time and are able to decide if in their situation the camera has more good in it than bad. Also since you tend to find little bugs that others don’t, hopefully camera manufacturers will be able to provide quicker updates that will hopefully fix the issues. Keep up the good work!

[@FunHarvey]

I loved this review. Should I get the iPhone mini or this as a KZbinr?

[@laurent.dubois]

First video describing issues. Very nice thanks guys.

[@quite1enough]

Great, four years from now and we'll finally have proper touch screen!

[@andrekart]

The most helpful review of this camera. Thank you

[@sandeepraiphotography2111]

Great review. I know my Mrs and her sisters will love it for mainly one reason. Not fussed about touch screen and a few others but needs to be wider than 24mm. But may get it cus I can get it into certain situations that I can’t sneak a bigger camera into.

[@RoyzNL]

1 sec is already a good one 😂 registering a face should stop hunting between faces btw...

[@kdivanov]

Do you think if you click on someone on the screen, think it was tracking, or w/e is called can also fix this? If it can track, you can click on the "talking guy" and it will not move maybe. I don't know, i have a Sony camera and i can do it on mine.

[@st.michaelthearchangel7774]

Nice camera and review, you two are awesome! Question: what is with the wobbly, wavy video at 2:48 with the camera? Thanks!

[@MAGEtvPTB]

...howdy from Nashville, TN!...looking forward for this screen tech to make its way into the other camera bodies...and I love that handle grip!!

[@3DJapan]

I just picked this up. So far I love it except for the non-touch screen. And the battery door.

[@Ishiisan]

did you try the background blur button on top to stop the face hunting? wireless transfer of 4k took long? I like the idea of the vlog remote. I will probably end up with longer tripod/selfie stick and use the sony vlogger tripod remotely.

[@CamillaI]

I think I will be ordering one for ease of use and static shot video

[@mirrorlessny]

easy of use 💪this camera is next level

[@ChakaStarkes]

Thank you! This is really helpful!

[@DeusExAstra]

Nice camera, seems like most of these issues can be fixed in firmware updates. I also wonder if this means there's flippy screens coming to the FF cameras.

[@amarynth100]

amazing video as always . i was curious ,this camera could be used infront of a canvas ? no faces involved. how the colors are between the canon and this one?

[@Linealo]

I love how Chelsea showcases the flippy screen and is so happy about how it's not interfering with the tripod while Sony then actually placed the whole Tripod-Mount of the camera right IN the SD-Card and battery space. As Gerlad Undone pointed out, this blocks your access to those crucial areas while there was enough, and I mean enough, space to just put the mount more to the other side. From what I've seen so far, this seems like a very okayish camera, but chromatic aberration in this amount on a fixed (and should be optimised) lens bugged me from first footages seen, no headphone jack and the stronger crop also are sadly a no go for me personally. And Sony sticked to much to their guns (no touch control, same designs, no 4K 60p OR H.265 / 10Bit so far, losing eye-af in certain modes) while they should have the features by now - and it makes me worried about the A7IV and A7IIIs. I don't expect the perfect camera, but some of those flaws are to old to not be fixed yet. All those beautiful features won't help in any way if you actually can't deliver the quality and story in your pictures because it's not wide enough or does not have a fast and intuitive enough way to use it properly. Now, I'm sure the firmware is not final and Sony listenes sooner than later, but at this price point and with this lens it's not on my list at least. Others, like Tony and Chelsea said, might have better use for it. And no, I don't have a real alternative on hand to tell someone asking me, but the ZV-1 wouldn't be a recommendation without warnings.

[@maxipadthai]

3:40 Can you register faces and prioritize a certain face with this camera?

[@valdetarosilva]

You CAN actually do it I don't know how they didn't realize it

[@joebot2127]

You can add a wide angle lens to make it 16/17mm with the auto focus etc enabled.

[@kzpm9796]

finally someone with a hand on review and not a sold out EDIT : bad grammar

[@naikuanchubattuta5961]

Wow, a detailed review based on what actual usage will encounter. It makes the ZV1 a better camera knowing its utilisation need to know facts. Honesty in a product brings out its integrity, that came to my mind. I want it even more.

[@PJmusica]

What would you recommend between this camera and the Sony RX100 VA if I’m looking for a compact video and photo camera? Both being equally important. Thanks for the review, excellent as always!

[@yousupreme]

Curious about two things. For the focusing bug when two faces are in the frame. Is there an option to prioritize registered faces like the other RX? Same goes for multi metering prioritizing the face was it on when it exposed for the sky? They have an app to apply extra stabilization “Movie Edit” is it actually helping or kind of useless?

[@SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE]

For the face hunting problem, Sony has a feature in their software to 'register a face' and give one face more priority over every other. So there IS a fix for that already built in!

[@othmane767]

Hello. Thanks for this review. I’m a Big fan from Morocco. I just want to ask you what kind of a camera should I buy for making car review videos?

[@Prince_Charming_1]

Great camera and good review as always!

[@marcushawkinsmusic]

Would it be suitable for streaming? I’m currently in the lumix world (I have 4) and thinking about the G9 for better photos and the full size hdmi.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Sorry haven't yet tested that

[@alverolle4664]

Gerald Undone addresses the streaming capabilities

[@tommyliu1210]

I just got a A7 mk1 and a 50mm 1.8. Do you have any recommendations on travel lens. I thinking of getting tamron 28-75 but there is not image stabilizer?

[@TheJoshuaborden]

Hi, I 'm an Imagery Technician (Army combat photographer) for the Canadian Army. You guys turned me onto Lindsay Adler after watching your podcast with her. I've just received her guide book on Posing. Trying to branch out from my usual daily work of photographing army, navy and air force troops. The book looks fantastic. Thanks for all the great videos and collaboration videos with other great photographers. Keep up the good content. Thanks.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Thanks Borden!

[@PaganiTypeR]

I think you can register faces and set face as a priority, it was a feature before at least.

[@Juan_SZ]

I have the a6300 with different lenses. I am looking for a compact camera mostly for videos of my pets, short interviews, and small clips while driving. In addition occasional photos. I was considering the mark vii , I can afford it, but what I don't like is the 2.8 aperture limitation. For the scenarios above, which one of to the two (zv1 or rx viii ) do you recommend? Thanks

[@samunerdrum5978]

I wonder if the ISO is any good in lowlight situation... If it s, it could be usable for weddings? Or it's crazy?

[@KeepingThisTech]

Good use of music on this video!

[@Princeton_James]

One of your more honest reviews. Making me second guess this.

[@b4uloveme]

You are the only KZbinr I have seen who is actually mentioning bad things about this camera, thanks we definitely need honest opinions

[@wesleyyau]

Tons of youtubers only focus on the nice features on this camera but ignore the weakness of it. This is an excellent review which shows us the pros and cons of using this camera.

[@artbyact]

Im wondering if i should get this or pick up the Canon G7X Mark ii....

[@SS-xc8bw]

Just bought the portrait photography and art and science package with the 25% off as soon as I concluded this videos. The best value!. Have all of your books, the best investment. One more thing to brag, I always watch your videos whenever I am exploring options and trust both of your judgment tremendously and with full confidence. Hope to meet you both in person one day since I live not too far. Cheers and peace!

[@BrokerBasil]

Great review - thanks.

[@sarahalaslani2797]

What is the best vlogging camera or what do you recommend (handy and small for students)

[@Elluzive]

10 channels I subbed to scheduled to post this at the same time. Guess I'll watch this one.

[@cweb1988]

Now lets see a proper XT4 competitor APSC Sony! I need to upgrade my 6300!

[@mirrorlessny]

competitor to ~1800$ APS-C camera? in today's economic situation 🤔 , btw a6300 is beast, made ton of videos with it

[@LaveaFirmis]

With the auto focus issue with 2 people in frame, surely you can tap on the touch screen to track the one face or it has the face recognition where you can save a face and it will priorities that face? Also I strongly dislike the wireless photo transfer on cameras, even if it was fast enough (which it’s no where near) it chews through the battery. I’d much rather take the card out than risk damaging the USB port on the camera or flattening the battery. Whatever camera option save battery is what I pick. I do use the phone app very occasionally for remote control that can be useful for sure.

[@thomasusheriii971]

Is it normal for me to experience banding occuring while recording video in certain artificial light settings. I hope my ZV1 isnt broken

[@supplychainsecrets]

I was totally sold on it and looking up where to buy one.........till you got to the Auto Focus issues 😞

[@javierruiz1710]

Did you do the updates because my camera after being updated had no trouble with multiple focusing and priority and then who'd focus on it didn't do what you're describing so did you update it and register it or is it an issue or software you're not used to yet

[@RiazGaffar]

nice to see your kitchen.

[@vikhnesh313]

Plz compare this camera with the canon g5x ii & also a smart phone

[@extrashot]

Did you try those mics that need power through the hot shoe? I'm not sure they work...

[@TonyAndChelsea]

That newest Sony shotgun mic, the one that's like $300+, does NOT work. That was the first one we tried. Disappointing.

[@silvestrocrino3256]

Fix the AF issue by using an aperture setting that gives you more depth of field... F8 and above....

[@Salah.alkhalifa]

you're great ! excellent review. keep delivering the same or exceeded contents!!!

[@r.powell2351]

What I'm most interested in is who did the tuba music at 9:32 Please please please tell me.

[@keith4047]

Hi Chelsea, My Sony camera has face registration built in and if you have multiple people that are known to the camera (ie you already taken a shot of that person stored it in the camera) you can set manually who gets prioritized for focus when it detects that person or multiple people it recognizes, about half a dozen slots for same. sure more expensive than that Sony camera. Obviously Chelsea we would want you in the number one spot, Tony maybe 5 or 6 down the list. Did you miss that option or has Sony not included that feature in that camera ?

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

Be the first one to do a video on how to set your external audio mic settings inside the new Sony ZV1 Camera. Do you have to put it on manual, very low, etc. Great review.

[@ekkerslovarkia2726]

Awesome review guys,the first one i have seen for the ZV-1 that told us everything we needed to know before laying down the cash. I laughed so hard at trying to transfer files over wi fi i almost chocked!!! To me a camera at this price needs to be able to change the settings with the touchscreen otherwise it becomes a dumb camera against a smart phone.

[@knownas6217]

did you try it with identified faces if it has it it should (I would guess) give the named face priority.

[@rouman330]

can the menu be used when the screen flipped out when self taping?

[@weedeeohguy]

Can you say TRUE review. Pretty versatile instrument. Waiting for Panasonic GH6. You guys are the best out there.

[@filipmanjulov]

What are your thoughts on the Sony Xperia 1 Mark II?

[@Bachconcertos]

How good is the audio and mic on the camera.?

[@mikemantravels3768]

Can you post a link for that extra mic?

[@mawavoy]

Doesn’t it have focus lock? Happy Holidays!

[@blarg35]

When the embargo is lifted and I see like 6 videos on the same product right next to each other on my feed

[@cmenjivar813]

Great video, thank you! I think I'm gonna wait for the ZV-2 lol

[@100acre]

Is it along with tat tripod wat u have n hand??

[@FrankZappulla]

While you're comparing to other cameras, can you include a comparison with the Sony RX100 VA?

[@olegvorkunov5400]

RX100 VA is miles away better than this one.

[@skipsaunders5974]

I really enjoy your reviews. This one too was entertaining, interesting, and helpful. I have one request though, can you folk consider doing more with the MFT cameras?. You quite frequently mention how much you value lightweight and travel friendly, but seldom use cameras like the EM-1 mk iii. I get it that you prefer full frame and canon lenses for "artistic", "publishing", "photo-on-the-wall prints". However, for youtube work, and for us amateur travel photographers who like to travel with just carry-on equipment sets, the MFT kit seems like it should work well (Oly claims 50 to 80 megapixels nowadays). Yet, you never talk about MFT. Thanks for the wonderful work you do,

[@YeuLaKho]

Good thing Tony pointed out the auto focus problem with more than one person in the camera. 4K showed a lot of details on the face..LOL

[@opiumqueen9535]

hello im planning to buy this camera but wander if it does good shot pictures? or it does only vlog ?

[@Totustuus2022]

Oh boy! You totally smashed the camera. I was ready to purchase it but not anymore. Thanks! You save me some serious money!

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Glad I could help!

[@damiang888]

Did they forgot to mention the polarizing screen issue? or did I missed it?

[@elvinlawcc]

You nailed that auto focus problems. I personally have no confidence on this camera. Like the RX10 mk3.

[@antoniomanuelfidalgo7565]

Great review...tks .... Greetings from Lisbon - Portugal

[@jm7720]

can you attach the RODE mic to it though? And if not, what camera do you recommend for the RODE mic? Once you said all the faults i can see why you use a CANON in your video to record and use other cameras. So what do you suggest? The more i watched your review of it the more i thought this was a crap product. Especially the part about space and timelapses. Damn. Screw that. Suggestion on a camera?

[@robwagnon6578]

Hey, does the camera adjust my face from looking like Java the hut to Hon Solo?

[@migssotto]

I love the RX line but I always thought that it was a camera more suited to advanced enthusiasts who wanted a compact device on the side. So I appreciate all the efforts Sony put into this to make this more broadly appealing. Hopefully the A7sIII will have taken notes 🙏

[@mirrorlessny]

🙏 hope for June announcement

[@hongyili8294]

I think you can just tap on your face once before starting the "wood test" it should lock your face right? or register your face may work? or is it a problem of the blur background function?

[@hongyili8294]

btw I got mine zv1 with student discount which is around $650, I think in this price it is very good