Sony announced the launch of the new ZV-1 pocket vlogger camera (“ZV-1” hereinafter), a lightweight, compact and all-in-one solution. Designed from the ground up for content creators and vloggers, the ZV-1 combines easy-to-use features with the best imaging technology, making it the perfect tool for any content creator of all levels of experience.

“Currently there is a segment that we have been listening to, from professionals or those who are starting to create audiovisual content and need to do it in a simple, fast way, guaranteeing excellent quality in video, image and audio,” said Angelo Marconi, Digital Image Manager for Latin America. “Sony has created this camera thinking about vloggers and how to make their work more professional, which is why the ZV-1 has an innovative design that integrates various and advanced technologies that will allow them to produce high-quality materials through its different configurations and modes.”

If you create content, this is what you need

Control focus: Quick exchange between foreground (Bokeh-type background) and depth of field

Located on top of the camera, the dedicated Bokeh button is easy to access and makes taking selfies a breeze. Using the new Bokeh Switch feature, the user can quickly adjust the optical aperture to more or less blur the background without losing focus.

Product Reviews: Always focus on the desired subject

With the ZV-1 it's easier than ever to shoot product reviews and similar video content. The new Product Showcase feature allows for quick, seamless focus transitions between the subject's face and the object placed in front of the lens.

Capture Attention: Face Prioritization

Extreme changes in lighting, such as taking a walk on a sunny day or suddenly changing from a bright to a shady location, are no problem for the ZV-1 thanks to the new Face Priority auto-exposure (AE) function, which detects and prioritizes the individual's face and adjusts the exposure to ensure that the face is always displayed at an ideal level.

Natural colors

To enhance emphasis on the subject's face, especially when shooting in selfie mode, the ZV-1 creates a smooth, natural blend, maintaining sharp images of the mouth and eyes in both video and still images.

Highest quality audio

Achieving the best content requires clear, high-quality audio, and the ZV-1 is well-equipped to produce just this with reliable and versatile audio options. The ZV-1's built-in microphone features Sony's latest 3-capsule directional microphone that was designed to capture forward-facing audio, allowing for clear capture of the subject's voice while minimizing background noise, especially when operating in selfie mode. For added flexibility, the ZV-1 also features a standard 35mm microphone input (3.5mm) and Multi Interface Shoe™ (MI adapter) connectivity making it easy to connect a wide variety of external microphones. The ZV-1 also comes integrated with a wind filter[i] that fits into the MI adapter to minimize wind interference.

Design and functionality optimized for vloggers

This compact and lightweight camera (approximately 294g / 105.5mm x 60.0mm x 43.5mm) is Sony's first compact device with a side-opening Vari-angle LCD screen, allowing creators to simplify their setup by using the MI adapter for optional external microphones without needing to add a stand. The above, together with the new grip design and the front recording video notification light, ensure that users focus on content creation.

The ZV-1 camera also includes advances in walking image stabilization. When recording with Optical SteadyShot Active mode in HD, optical and electronic methods are combined to reduce shake by up to 11 times[ii] and in 4K video, there is an improvement in the stabilization effect of up to 8 times[iii] compared to the standard SteadyShot™ function, respectively.

Live broadcast with ZV-1

The ZV-1 can transform into a webcam when connected to a PC[iv] via USB, allowing content creators to interact with their followers in real time while using the ZV-1's advanced imaging technology and unique features. This new PC software from Sony will be available in July 2020.

Accessories for vloggers

Sony highlights that by purchasing separately the GP-VPT2BT recording support with wireless remote control we increase stability, which together with the ECM-XYST1M stereo external microphone, guarantee a complete experience for content creators.

Class-leading AV features

Despite being a small device, it has a multitude of capabilities for creating professional-grade videos, including:

· 4K video recording with full pixel readout and zero pixel binning in high bitrate XAVC S™ codec. [v] · Hybrid Log-Gamma (HDR) format [vi] / S-Gamut3.Cine / S-Log3, S-Gamut3 / S-Log3
· Time-lapse shooting[vii] to take stunning time-lapse videos[viii] · Super slow motion recording[ix] up to 960 fps[x] · Support for ‘Movie Edit add-on[xi]’ from the “Imaging Edge™” mobile app for image stabilization while editing[xii] Emphasize ability to edit aspect ratios for IG, etc.