Sony ZV-1F - Fixed Prime Lens Vlogging Camera

Sony introduced today an entry-level vlogging camera called the Sony ZV-1F. This will be a more basic version of the existing Sony ZV-1 aimed at video shooters and vloggers with very limited stills capabilities and an affordable price tag.

Sony ZV-1F features and audience

Back in May 2020 as the world was just starting to feel the effects of the first wave of the pandemic Sony introduced the ZV-1, a 1″ sensor camera with a built-in zoom lens aimed at vloggers, video shooters, and occasional photo shooters (at the time the more stills centric Sony RX100 VII was still fairly new announced only a few months before).

Fast forward to late 2022 and Sony realized that there might be a market for a more basic version of the ZV-1 with a lower price tag (the ZV-1 currently sells for around $700) for those looking specifically for vlogging, streaming, etc., and hence created a sister camera to the original model called Sony ZV-1F (we are not entirely sure what the F stands for in this case).

Compared to the original Sony ZV-1, here are some of the key differences:

20mm f/2 fixed prime lens (the Sony ZV-1 had a 24-70mm equivalent f/1.8-f/2.8 zoom lens).
Contrast-based AF only (the ZV-1 had fast hybrid AF).
Eye AF only (the ZV-1 has real-time tracking AF).
Max still shooting speed – 16fps (the ZV-1 can go up to 24fps with tracking).
No RAW shooting, JPEG only (the ZV-1 can shoot both JPEG and RAW).
120 frame buffer (Smaller buffer compared to the ZV-1 with 172 in JPEG and 77 images in RAW).
120fps in 1080p S&Q mode slow motion and 60X fast motion (the ZV-1 has a lot more slow motion options including low res 960fps/480fps/240fps).
No electronic contacts on “hot shoe” (the ZV-1 included those for accessories).
No built-in ND filters (that the ZV-1 has, but the ZV-1F does have a front filter thread for adding filters).
New menus (the original ZV-1 had the original older menu system).
255 grams weight (down from 294 grams for the ZV-1).

Official Sony ZV-1F video

Sony ZV-1F main Specs

Here are the main specs for the ZV-1F:

Sensor: 20.1MP 1″ ExmorRS CMOS sensor.
Lens: 20mm f/2 (equivalent lens in 35mm).
Sensitivity: 125-12,800 ISO.
AF system – contrast based 425 points.
Video: 4K up to 24p (8bit 4:2:0) and 1080p up to 120p.
Image stabilization: video only – active mode).
Stills shooting: 16fps max in JPEG only (120-frame buffer).
Memory card: SD UHS-I single card.
Battery: NP-BX1 (260 images CIPA).
Weight: 255g.

Pricing and availability

The Sony ZV-1F should be available in November 2022 for a price of just under $500.

Sony ZV-1F hands-on / reviews from around the web

Here are a number of early hands-on reviews of the Sony ZV-1F from across the web:

Chris from DPR on the ZV-1F

PROAV on the ZV-1F

Gerald Undone and a friend comparing the new camera to advanced smartphones

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Iddo Genuth

Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.