Sony ZV-1 Mark II hands-on

One of the major complaints voiced by users who utilized the ZV-1 as a vlogging camera, as Sony intended, was the lack of wide-angle coverage provided by the lens, a 24–70mm equivalent F1.8–2.8. To address this concern, the ZV-1 Mark II also uses a ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens, but now with an 18–50mm equivalent focal length and an aperture range of F1.8–4.

Although the ZV-1 Mark II may not possess the same telephoto capabilities or maintain the same brightness at longer focal lengths, it successfully resolves the primary issue faced by many vloggers and creators with the original ZV-1, which was the lack of a sufficiently wide field of view. With its wide 18mm equiv angle of view, the ZV-1 Mark II should be more suitable for vlogging, even when digital stabilization is applied with its crop.

The widening of focal length is highlighted in Sony’s original press release for the ZV-1 Mark II, where Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions at Sony Electronics Inc., remarks, ‘We are committed to incorporating feedback from our community to continuously expand and elevate our ZV series, and the ZV-1 II accomplishes exactly that.’

The ZV-1 Mark II retains the original’s in-camera three-capsule microphone, offering support for front, rear or omnidirectional recording. This feature allows users to capture video with decent audio quality while maintaining a compact form factor.

The dedicated windscreen, which can be slid into the multi interface shoe, is still provided. Just like on the ZV-1, however, when the windscreen is in use it partially blocks access to the on/off button. Additionally, users who wish to enhance their audio recording by using an external mic like the Sony B10 wirelessly through the multi interface shoe will discover that this usage is not supported, at least not at the time of publication.

As a vlogging camera, it’s expected that the ZV-1 Mark II retains a fully articulating touchscreen. However, it’s worth noting that the LCD screen, similar to the ZV-1, may leave some users wanting more. The 3-inch, 921,600-dot screen can be somewhat dim in bright lighting conditions and may feel a bit outdated compared to modern displays.

And if you were hoping for a built-in viewfinder, you may need to explore other camera options.

Similar to the original ZV-1, the ZV-1 Mark II features a spring-loaded locking door at the base of the camera, behind which you’ll find the battery and SD card slot. The SD card slot supports UHS-1 SD cards. Additionally, the camera includes offset 1/4-20 tripod threads. While some users may appreciate the improved convenience of accessing the battery and media slot while the camera is mounted on a tripod or selfie stick, others may express concern about the tripod mount’s placement. Specifically, when using accessories such as the Sony GP-VPT2BT Wireless Shooting Grip, the camera’s off-axis position might be a drawback for certain users.

Regrettably, for those who found the battery life of the original ZV-1 lacking, the ZV-1 Mark II utilizes the same NP-BX1 battery. According to Sony, the ZV-1 Mark II is estimated to provide approximately 290 shots per charge or 45–75 minutes of 4K recording time. If you plan on shooting 4K video, it is advisable to carry multiple batteries, despite the inclusion of a USB-C port in the ZV-1 Mark II, which enables on-the-go charging and direct AC power.

With a weight of 292g (0.64lb / 10.30oz) and dimensions measuring 106 x 60 x 47mm (4.15 x 2.36 x 1.84″), Sony’s positioning of this camera as a compact and travel-worthy companion holds true. While it may not be as compact as some digital point-and-shoot cameras from the past, the ZV-1 Mark II demonstrates Sony’s ongoing commitment to the compact camera segment, an area that many other manufacturers have withdrawn from.

Being marketed as an everyday carry camera, a significant question that arises is whether it is truly pocketable. To a certain extent, yes. The ZV-1 Mark II can easily fit into a sling bag, coat pocket, or larger pants pocket. However, it may be more challenging to accommodate in form-fitting clothing pockets, where the camera may feel a bit cramped.

The Sony ZV-1 Mark II retains features that ZV-1 users may have become accustomed to, such as the built-in ND filter and the ability to capture S-Log2 or S-Log3 (albeit only in 8-bit). However, it is worth noting that the Mark II does not have a mechanical shutter. The Stacked CMOS sensor’s quick readout makes this less of an issue for short exposures; however, long shutter speeds are capped at 1/4 sec. This further emphasizes that the camera is primarily intended for video creation. While those seeking a compact stills camera may find some benefits in the ZV-1 Mark II’s features, they should not be surprised if they feel like they are using a hammer when they expected a screwdriver for still photography.

For ZV-1 owners, the question remains: Will they feel the need to upgrade? We would love to hear your thoughts if you are a ZV-1 owner or if you are considering either the ZV-1 or the ZV-1 Mark II.