Sony ZV-1 vs Sony ZV-1 Mark II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony ZV-1
65
WINNER
|
Sony · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony ZV-1 Mark II
63
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony ZV-1 and the Sony ZV-1 Mark II are both pocket-size compact cameras, separated by three years of development, with the Mark II arriving in 2023. Their bodies are nearly the same size: the ZV-1 measures 105 x 60 x 44 mm and weighs 294 g, while the Mark II measures 106 x 60 x 47 mm and weighs 292 g. Either one slips into a jacket pocket, so dimensions and weight will not steer this choice. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2023 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 26, 2020 | May 23, 2023 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 105 x 60 x 44 mm | 106 x 60 x 47 mm |
| Camera weight | 294 g | 292 g |
| Optics | 67/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe ZV-1 is the better match for handheld shooting in low light, because it offers in-body stabilisation and the Mark II does not. That steadies handheld frames when the light drops. The rest of the stills specification is shared, from the 20 MP 1-inch CMOS sensor and Bionz X processor to 315 autofocus points and 24 fps continuous shooting. The Mark II answers with a much faster top shutter speed of 1/32000 second against 1/2000 on the ZV-1, giving shorter exposures when you shoot wide apertures in bright daylight. Their expanded ISO ranges differ, with the ZV-1 reaching 25600 ISO and the Mark II extending down to 80 ISO. Native sensitivity is identical at 125 to 12800 ISO on both. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 5472 x 3648 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13.2 x 8.8 | 13.2 x 8.8 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
1" | 1" |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
24 fps045 | 24 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | None |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz X | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
12530200 | 12530200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
12530200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 144080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
200080032000 | 3200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
3150300 | 3150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | No |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 91/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlow-motion capability is shared, so you can slow fast action with either body. Both cameras record 4K video, and both reach a 120 fps maximum frame rate. Each also offers built-in timelapse and the same MPEG-4, AVCHD and XAVC S recording formats, so your clips drop into the same editing workflow. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 68/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe ZV-1 has a built-in flash for instant fill light, while the Mark II has none but supports an external flash for stronger, directed lighting. That split suits different shooters, from grab-and-go snapshots on the ZV-1 to deliberate portrait or product lighting on the Mark II. The screen and wireless features are shared, so framing and transfer work the same way on either body. Both have a 3-inch 921,600-dot touchscreen LCD that flips out for self-framed filming, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for transfer and remote control. Neither camera offers GPS or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
No |  Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9216001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Mark II goes longer per charge, rating 290 shots against 260 for the ZV-1, a 30-shot lead on the same NP-BX1 battery type. Both cameras charge over USB and accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so your existing cards carry over. Their Memory Stick support differs, with the ZV-1 taking Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo cards and the Mark II taking a Duo Hybrid card. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC / Memory Stick Duo Hybrid |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-BX1 | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
260 shots1505000 | 290 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the ZV-1 if you shoot handheld in dim interiors and want a flash always on board. Its stabilisation and built-in flash cover both needs. Choose the Mark II if you shoot wide open in bright light, where its 1/32000 second shutter keeps exposures short enough. It also supports external flash and rates 30 shots higher per charge. With the sensor, video limits and SD card support all matching, the stabilisation and flash choices should drive your pick.