Sony ZV-1 Mark II Updates The Z-V1 With New Functions & Refined Vlogging Experience

The Sony ZV-1 Mark II camera has been added to Sony’s line-up of vlogging cameras that also have plenty of features to keep photographers interested.

Sharing the same structure and form factor as the original ZV-1, the Sony ZV-1 Mark II is a modern-looking compact camera that Sony has interestingly been comparing with how smartphones function. This includes saying the new camera has smartphone-like touch control and that it features, on average, a sensor that’s 2x bigger. 

The Sony ZV-1 Mark II shares the same 1-inch EXMOR Stacked 20MP sensor as the ZV-1 and it also has the same battery as well as the useful multi-face recognition when photographing groups so all faces are sharp. For pets, there’s an option for recognising animals as the target subject when shooting video. 

There are plenty of new features on the Sony ZV-1 Mark II to impress videographers as well as photographers with an updated 18mm focal length now offered at the wider end of the zoom for a super-wide angle of view that’s supported by improved stabilisation. This means you now get optical zoom from 18-50mm (improving on the 24-70mm found on the ZV-1) and then digital takes you all the way up to 100mm. Zoom is operated via a Zoom rocker or you can use the screen which is now fully touch-capable and when recording, displays a red frame so you know when you’ve hit the record button. 

Other video features include the ability to record both horizontally and vertically and there’s a new 3-way directional microphone. 

For creative fun, there are cinematic as well as creative looks and when working with tricky light, performance is improved in low light while a built-in ND filter that goes up to 3-stops will help the camera manage bright light better. 

The Sony ZV-1 Mark II is available in June 2023 for 1000 Euros and will be listed alongside the original ZV-1 which won’t be discontinued. 

John Riley is currently working on his review of the Sony ZV-1 Mark II so do keep an eye on reviews for when this will go live.