Sony ZV-1F vs Sony ZV1 – Best Compact Vlogging Camera of 2022 – The Sony ZV1F camera is $250 cheaper than the Sony ZV1. The biggest noticeable difference is the lens of the camera. With the Sony ZV1F, we are getting a 20mm prime lens and with the Sony ZV1, we are getting a 24-70 eg zoom lens. So, of course, you will lose some flexibility u have in the Sony ZV1 camera, but at the same time, you will gain a little bit more wide-angle coverage which is highly important when you are creating content with the camera, for which it is made. For the first time in a Sony vlogging camera, we are about to witness a cold shoe, it can only act as an external mic holder but it doesn’t have any active contacts inside it.
1. Sensor Details
| Sony ZV-1F | Sony ZV1 | |
| Sensor Resolution | Effective: 20.1 Megapixel (5472 x 3648) | Effective: 20.1 Megapixel (5472 x 3648) |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 | 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 |
| Sensor Type | 13.2 x 8.6 mm (1″-Type) CMOS | 1″-Type CMOS |
| Image File Format | JPEG | JPEG, Raw |
| Image Stabilization | Digital | Digital, Optical |
Image quality & Video is expected to remain the same as the Sony ZV1 camera since both of the have the same sensor, But the major disappointment is despite having the same type of sensor. We do not have any Hybrid AF support in the newly announced camera. The New Sony ZV-1F camera uses CDAF [Contrast detection AF system] which is slow and sluggish.
We also miss the built-in ND filter of the Sony ZV1 camera, now u have to buy a 40mm thread ND variable filter for your camera.
Yes, we do have all the fancy Auto Focus modes we have witnessed in the ZV1. But as usual, the hardware is missing (no active Hybrid AF points). Despite all the -ve things, we do have some good news in the AF department. At least the Eye AF mode of the camera works well and tracks AF all the time.
2. Optical Zoom / Prime Lens
| Sony ZV-1F | Sony ZV1 | |
| Focal Length | 7.6mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 20mm) | 9.4 to 25.7mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 24 to 70mm) |
| Digital Zoom | 4x Maximum digital |
2.7x (16.3x digital) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2 | f/1.8 to 2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/8 | f/11 |
| Focus Range | 2″ to Infinity / 5 cm to Infinity | f/11 |
| Optical Design | 6 Elements in 6 Groups | 10 Elements in 9 Groups |
3. Missing Mechanical Image Stabilization
Sony ZV1-F camera doesn’t have any kind of Mechanical IS, which includes Sensor shift IS and OSS [Lens based]. Not only that Gyro IS is also missing, but the good news is we are getting at least EIS [electronic Image stabilization] from the camera. And when you implement it you have to face a 1.25X crop which turns your 20mm lens into a 25mm lens. That’s the only major positive thing I like inside ZV1-F is even after implementing EIS feature the widest coverage is similar to the ZV1 24mm focal length.
4. Exposure Control
| Sony ZV-1F | Sony ZV1 | |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 125 to 12800 (Extended: 80 to 12800) | Auto, 100 to 12800 (Extended: 64 to 25600) |
| Shutter Speed | Electronic Shutter 32,000 to 1/4 Seconds in Program Mode 32,000 to 1/4 Seconds in Manual Mode 32,000 to 1/4 Seconds in Aperture Priority Mode 32,000 to 1/4 Seconds in Shutter Priority Mode |
Mechanical Shutter 1/2000 to 30 Seconds 1/2000 to 30 Seconds in Bulb Mode 1/2000 to 4 Seconds in Auto Mode Electronic Shutter 1/32000 to 30 Seconds 1/32000 to 4 Seconds in Auto Mode |
| Metering Method | Average, Center-Weighted Average, Highlight, Multi, Spot | Average, Center-Weighted Average, Multi, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority | Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
| Exposure Compensation | -3 to +3 EV (1/3 EV Steps) | -3 to +3 EV (1/3 EV Steps) |
| White Balance | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Fluorescent (Cool White), Fluorescent (Day White), Fluorescent (Daylight), Fluorescent (Warm White), Incandescent, Shade, Underwater, White Balance Adjustment | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (Cool White), Fluorescent (Day White), Fluorescent (Daylight), Fluorescent (Warm White), Incandescent, Shade, Underwater |
| Continuous Shooting | Electronic Shutter Up to 16 fps (JPEG) |
Up to 24 fps at 20.1 MP |
| Interval Recording | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Timer | 2/5/10-Second Delay | 2/5/10-Second Delay |
5. Video Resolution and Time Limit
As you can see the Sony ZV1-F camera is limited to 29 Min recording timeline and the frame rates are also limited, it a clear indication that Sony not only wants to increase its consumer base they also want to save the ZV1 sales, by cutting down some basic features from the camera.
| Sony ZV-1F | Sony ZV1 | |
| Recording Modes | XAVC UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [60 to 100 MB/s] Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [16 to 100 MB/s] |
MP4/XAVC S UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p [60 to 100 Mb/s] Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [16 to 100 Mb/s] AVCHD/MP4 Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 50i/59.94i [17 to 24 Mb/s] |
| Recording Limit | Up to 29 Minutes | Unlimited |
| Broadcast Output | NTSC/PAL | NTSC/PAL |
| Audio Recording | Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input (Stereo) |
Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input (Stereo) |
| Live Streaming | Yes | AC3, Linear PCM (Stereo) |
| Webcam Functionality | Yes | Yes |
Monitor
| Sony ZV-1F | Sony ZV1 | |
| Size | 3″ | 3.0″ |
| Resolution | 921,600 Dot | 921,600 Dot |
| Display Type | Articulating Touchscreen LCD | Articulating Touchscreen LCD |
Its a plastic cold shoe mount means no active contact. Its made up of plastic to support your external mic units that’s all.
Flash
| Sony ZV1-F | Sony ZV1 | |
| Built-In Flash | No | No |
| External Flash Connection | None | Hot Shoe |
Interface
| Sony ZV-1F | Sony ZV1 | |
| Media/Memory Card Slot | Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC [128 GB Maximum] | Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo Hybrid |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 2.0), HDMI D (Micro), 1/8″ / 3.5 mm Microphone | 1/8″ / 3.5 mm Microphone, HDMI D (Micro), Micro-USB (USB 2.0) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi Bluetooth |
Bluetooth Wi-Fi |
| GPS | No | No |
Physical
| Sony ZV-1F | Sony ZV1 | |
| Battery Type | 1 x NP-BX1 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 3.6 VDC, 1240 mAh (Approx. 360 Shots) | 1 x NP-BX1 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 3.6 VDC, 1240 mAh (Approx. 260 Shots) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.8″ / 105.6 x 60 x 46.4 mm | 4.15 x 2.36 x 1.71″ / 10.54 x 5.99 x 4.34 cm |
| Weight | 9.0 oz / 256 g (With Battery) | 10.37 oz / 294 g (With Battery, Recording Media) |
6. Sony ZV-1F vs Sony ZV1 Verdict
Sony ZV1 is better, undoubtedly. We have no competition here. And if you will say, Buddy, I don’t have that budget of ZV1, so what I can do now?
Hey, You can do one good thing, you can buy the Panasonic G7 Camera at the same price range with an M4/3 format sensor. Although the G7 uses the DFD AF system which is slow, believe me, the specs of the G7 are far superior to those of the ZV1-F
Sony ZV-1F BEST Alternative – Pansonic G7 @ Amazon.com
16 MP Live MOS Sensor
Venus Engine 9 Image Processor
Micro Four Thirds System
2.36m-Dot OLED Viewfinder
3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Free-Angle Touchscreen
4K UHD Video Recording at 30/24 fps
Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity
Up to 8 fps Shooting with AF & ISO 25600
DFD AF System, 4K Photo Modes
14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II MEGA O.I.S. Lens
