While premium smartphones offer great recording tools, content creators may find something like the Sony ZV-1F vlogging camera that can help elevate their videos. As someone who has meticulously used the iPhone to produce social media videos for many years, I was surprised at how easy it was for the new Sony camera to shoot high-quality content in the few days I spent testing it.
Now, I say high quality as a relevant term. I know this $499 vlogging camera can’t compete with the performance of interchangeable-lens cameras like the Sony A7C or Canon EOS R6, which are some of the best out there. Likewise, it’s not even intended as a replacement for other Sony ZV camcorders, such as the Sony ZV-1 and Sony ZV-E10, instead it was meant to sit below those models. But while the Sony ZV-1F won’t rival cameras that cost twice as much, it’s designed to output much higher quality video than your smartphone. In essence, according to Sony, the ZV-1F will be your first go-to vlogger.
Although I am an expert in many tech categories, cameras are not one of them. However, I’m the target audience of the Sony ZV-1F – the Z-er generation who has experience with video blogging from a smartphone, but is interested in taking my videos to the next level.
So I decided to step out of my comfort zone to record clips on the go with my iPhone 13 Pro Max to use the new Sony ZV-1F instead for video shooting for Tom’s YouTube guide Channel. I traveled solo with the camera to a tech conference recently and recorded how hands-on the LG OLED Flex experience was (edited video coming soon, I promise.)
Sony ZV-1F: Your First Vlogging Camera
Sony ZV-1F is equipped with many beginner-friendly features. For example, the rotating face-changing screen helped me stay in frame while Sony’s legendary autofocus took the guesswork out of getting a sharp shot, whether I was recording myself or the producer in front of me. For selfies, face priority setting and eye autofocus ensure the same convenience. When I’m talking on camera, I don’t want to constantly check it – I just want to focus on what I’m saying.
Speaking of convenience, having it with me for a few days didn’t add any bulk to my bags. The camera weighs about 230 grams, which makes it very light. It even fits in my little side bag that I used in the evening. I’ve been hesitant to upgrade to even the best cameras for vlogging, and want to limit the amount of gear I’m browsing, but the Sony ZV-1F is pleasantly compact.
Although it is still something extra to carry, compared to an all-in-one iPhone. That’s why I can visualize scenarios where I pick and choose what I want my recording device to be. If I want to carry on a quick talk tik tokFilming some funny events around my friends or capturing spontaneous moments, my iPhone is unbeatable.
But to take my tech content to a higher level, I’ve found that there’s a lot to like about the Sony ZV-1F. Even better, the camera connects to my iPhone using Sony’s smartphone app, so I can transfer content over Wi-Fi and quickly access those clips to share on social media. I consider this kind of connection a must for those who want a dedicated camera to complement the video they’ve already shot on their smartphone.
We’ll need to spend more time testing the Sony ZV-1F to see if it really is a great addition to the ZV lineup, which includes the Sony ZV-1 and Sony ZV-E10, in terms of performance. But from first impressions, the ZV-1F appears to have what budding creators are looking for at the right price.
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