Customer Ratings & Reviews

If you use this camera as a 4K device then all it does is overheat !

Unfortunately, I cannot properly review my product because I have been waiting on it to arrive for almost a month since my order date. I made my online order on 01/03/2022. My product was lost and I had to have another product shipped on 01/27/2022, and now I just hope I do not have to wait another month for my product that was re-shipped. This experience has given me the impression that I should not make anymore purchases with Best Buy, if I don’t want to wait a month or more to receive my order. Very disappointed.

Very very unhappy. I bought this and have made 3 attempts to get my money back only to get to your store and be told it’s curbside pickup only and no returns “until Thursday”, and then again - “sorry try tomorrow”. We had snow in seattle but the roads have been drivable and your website has said Open Each day. I even called on my way each day and was told you were open! I’m cutting up my credit card and no longer planning on shipping with your company

The first thing I noticed when I opened the box is that the camera looks just like the first digital camera my mom used in the 80’s. Its looks are nothing special. But looks can be deceiving. The features of this little camera are amazing. First I should say that the camera is really designed for videos, especially vlogging (I don’t think my mother would have known what vlogging was in the 80’s) If you’re looking for a great still camera, you’d be wasting money with the ZV-1. There isn’t even a flash attachment on the device. This camera just lives to make great videos. What’s nice is, for someone who in not an expert in digital cameras, it runs really well right out of the box. As you learn more about it, you can delve into the menus, but it’s not necessary at the start. Because it’s primary a video camera, the largest button on the top will start video recording. I love the video stabilization setting. Without it, as you walk around with the camera, the picture is naturally jittery as you move. With the stabilization on, the video results are more like you’re using a Steadicam. Auto focus is very quick. You can set it to either stay focused on your face no matter what is going on around you, or set it focus on something you’re holding up in front of you, and the immediately go back to your face when you move the item out of frame. There’s a windscreen to help get rid of wind noises, a “skin smoothing feature” which gets rid of face blemishes in several steps, slow motion settings, it features one button which blurs the background, making your face stand out and much more. The optional vlogger kit is a big help. One of the few complaints I had with the camera was that the buttons are really small. The Sony vlogger accessory kit, not only makes it easier to hold the camera, and is also a built-in tripod, but with its large buttons makes it easier to control the camera, and stop and start your video or take still pictures. It links up to the ZV-1 via Bluetooth, and the setup was quick and flawless. Bottom line, the ZV-1 makes great videos, can certainly be used as a still camera as well, and since it’s so easy to put yourself in the picture, even if you’ve never thought of having your own vlog, this camera might inspire you to do just that.

Bought it for kids to vlog about their day and not really liking it but will do the job for now

Works hreat everything i expected…and more!!! And affordable.

Its one if not the best camera out there with the best price

Cámara size is perfect but I was looking for a cámara that look amazing picture so looking for great quality I love in Colorado so I went to the mountains to try and get some good shots but I couldn’t get any great shots maybe it was me but I watched videos on how to use and followed them but I couldn’t get quality I was looking for

Purchased this for work related photo survey and documentation of certain equipment. It may be good for video but not a good point & shoot camera.

worked ok if normal setting the associate said it would work for video on a 100yd field it was ok but quality of the video was not that good

Not happy thinking about returning it asap. The camera is kinda hard to figure out all the settings to make it compatible with imovie and its giving me a hard time; the quality of the videos are OK but over all not beginner friendly

The Sony ZV-1 is Sony’s latest “premium” point and shoot camera launched recently. It sports the same 1.0 Exmor sensor found in Sony’s flagship point and shoot camera the RX100 VII. One can say that the ZV-1 is the RX100 VII little cousin. And I say cousin as the ZV-1 is not only a stripped down version of the RX100 VII but also geared to another market namely content creators or vloggers. And in this sense Sony is creating a niche in an already crowded space. First and foremost, one would notice that the ZV-1 and the RX100 series have similar form-factors. One would notice that the ZV-1 is made of what Sony would term as composite material as compared to the magnesium alloy build of the RX100 series. In ordinary words, it’s made of plastic and not metal. Still, it has a premium feel similar to what you would find in entry-level DSLRs. Also gone in the ZV-1 are the pop-up EVF on the top left side and the pop-up flash on the center top. Instead you would find a hot shoe on the top left where you can attach an external mic or a flash and on the top center is a directional 3-capsule mic. One thing to note is that Sony includes what it refers to as a wind screen for the mic which you attach into the hot shoe. (This is wind screen is also known as a dead cat.) The ZV-1 has an articulating screen (a first in Sony point and shoot cameras but not handycams) instead of the usual tilting LCDs often found in the RX-100 series. The mode dial notably has been removed and has been replaced a mode button and you have to use the screen dial. (This IMO may be a dealbreaker as some prefer an actual mode dial.) And lastly, Sony added a rubber grip to the ZV-1 which IMHO is a nice touch to it. As mentioned earlier Sony touts this as a vlogging camera more than that of a stills camera. And since this is a “cousin” of the RX100, I would no longer delve into the quality of still pictures but highlight on the “vlogging” aspects of this camera. (After all, the manual is around 550 pages long.) Like the later model RX100 models, the ZV-1 has 4k video capabilities, but one thing to really amaze at this camera is its product showcase function. At the press of one button (which is the delete button during shooting mode), the camera can immediately focus on a product (or any object for that matter) at an arm’s length distance when it is moved (fairly quickly) to the front of the camera for a close up. Upon testing this feature repeatedly, I’d say that I’m amazed at this feature and that it works as advertised. I have not yet heard of any consumer level camera even from smartphones that can do this feature. Another cool feature of the ZV-1 is background defocus mode. A button on the top right of the camera enables the camera to immediately go into bokeh mode or cinematic effect as a lot of vloggers refer to it. What is interesting to note is that it’s a simplified process and one does not need to know about adjusting aperture. And while it works, it is worthwhile to consider that the bokeh is not as “creamy” given the limit of the one inch sensor as compared to larger sensors from m4/3s, APS-C and full frame cameras. Still the effect is optical and not through software. Also, this has an advantage over smartphones as the bokeh effect is limited only in stills and not through video. These two highlights of the ZV-1 plus features from the RX100 are compelling reasons to consider this camera over the RX100 VII given that there is almost a $500 price difference between the two models. But also, the ZV-1 can also hold on its own against other cameras as well. My primary complaint for the ZV-1 is like the RX series is that it still uses the small NP-BX1 batteries. So it would be prudent to stock up on extra batteries. And finally for vlogging uses, a wireless shooting grip (Sony GP-VPT2BT) is available too. It is primarily a remote control grip that enables you to vlog and also function as a small tripod. Overall, the Sony ZV-1 (as well as it’s accessory grip) is highly recommended for those who not only want to shoot stills but also use a very capable tool for vlogging.

It has not the feather part to block the sound of the wind is placed on the machine as shown in the advertisement picture .

Does not do what it says. Constantly have to watch for the red recording light to turn off and formatting card is difficult.

So I’ll review this from 2 different angles – for its marketed use, which is “VLOGGING” and the second as a standard “point-and-shoot” camera. The Sony ZV-1 is a 20.1 megapixel camera marketed to the ever-popular world of “Influencers” and ‘VLOGGERS”, touting an excellent set of video and audio features for live or recorded video. With native video capability up to 120p (excellent for slow-mo shots) and with a lens from arguably the best camera glass on the market – Zeiss – image quality is spectacular. The lens is a 24-70 zoom, so from a photography standpoint it lacks the focal length for longer-length zooms, but for use for VLOGGING it works just fine. The camera features a built-in mic, but also includes an external hot shoe mic with a deadcat (yes, that’s an actual term) windscreen. For use with multiple mics (mixer) or a lavalier mic, the camera also has a 3.5mm mic jack on the side. The camera has a 3” multi-angle, flip, reversible screen which allows for viewing of “selfies” when shooting video (or photos). The screen is also a touch screen, but that is a little of a misnomer, as its solely a touch screen to adjust focus points. No controls from the camera can be controlled from the touchscreen, which I found a little disappointing. Video, as mentioned, is excellent, and can be launched with a separate button on top from the still photo button. One of the features of this camera is a special single button called “Product Showcase” that allows you to flip between focus on the subject speaking and the item being “showcased”. Those of you who have VLOGGED or seen videos know the frustration of someone trying to get the computer to refocus from the person to something else being shown in the foreground. Both still & video modes have the 4 standard camera shooting modes – Program (P), Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Priority (S), and Manual Mode (M). For more point-and-shoot options, the camera has auto-detection of scene, as well as the usual modes you would expect with point-and-shoot cameras like sport, fireworks, etc. When shooting in Aperture or Manual modes, you can control the aperture as low as f/1.8 for that much-loved “bokeh”, or background blur. Stills are just as crisp and good-looking as the video. At 20.1 megapixels, and the ability to save as RAW images, they are easy to edit in Lightroom or your choice of photo editing programs. ISO ranges of 80-12800 are selectable on the menu dial, as is EV+/-. Other settings are accessed thru the menu. CONS: - To me, the body feels cheap. It’s a lighter-weight plastic which just doesn’t feel like it will withstand drops. - The limited capabilities of the touchscreen were a little of a disappointment, as compared to other cameras where many of the features are controlled with more simple on-screen prompts. - The buttons to access the menu, as well as the dial to scroll and toggle, are EXTREMELY small, and tough to manipulate quickly or on-the-fly, so you’ll likely pick a mode & stick with it, or just keep the camera in point-and-shoot mode, which is a disappointment since there is so much more you can do shooting manually or with more control over settings. - The hotshoe is a proprietary design, so more standard DSLR accessories (mics, flashes, etc.) will not work, so you’ll have to come back to Sony for more accessories. SUMMARY: The camera is a great solution for video use once you set your settings and start shooting. The Zeiss lens is a great addition for quality and clarity, but with the limits on the focal range. The camera overall will make a great addition for your live streaming videos or VLOGGING activities.

Although we have a pair of Sony A7IVs we choose to shoot wedding videos with the ZV-1! It is superv easy to set up and use, and it takes great videos. The batteries run down very quick so we got 2 dummy batteries and connect them to power banks. The onboard mics and windscreen are decent, but we upgraded to Rode MiniMics that have excellent wind screens and we get zero wind noise even at the beach.

Item doesn't work. Item was a return and i see why.

Great camera for beginners or experienced users. It can be used with a minimum of interaction but has a ton of adjustments if you want to really tweak it. Great for vlog use with 4k video (or less if you don't need 4k) and also beautiful still shots. I know a lot of people just use their phone camera nowadays but for great pics I still prefer a real camera and this one is much better than any phone camera I have seen. Phones are just too awkward for me for real quality pics or video. I won't try to give you too many specs or features since there are too many to list here and other reviewers have covered a lot of them but I will mention a few things that may still be important. If you want to learn more the sony website has a ton of info. Here is a link to the quick start guide and the 555 page full manual from sony. Yes I said 555 pages. https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/compact-cameras-zv-series/zv-1#manuals They also have a good tutorial at this link https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/support/tutorial/dc/zv-1/en/index.php This camera appears to require an SD card so if you don't have a good one you will need to get a fast one and big if you plan on doing 4k videos. I got mine with the vlog kit which includes a 64G card and the grip/tripod with wireless bluetooth remote. This is a great addition and isn't too pricey when purchased together. If you use it a lot you may want additional SD cards. It's a pretty compact camera so it's easy to take with you. You will probably want to get a case to protect it and also a strap since they didn't include one. I already have several cases and straps so not a big deal to me but they could have thrown in a strap. The swivel touchscreen can be turned inward to protect it and by default will turn the camera off when this is done. You can change this but you won't have a viewfinder with the screen turned in. Best Buy sells separate battery chargers and batteries for this camera; I would probably prefer the sony branded ones (which BB sells). Overall it's a great camera for this price range (it's the most expensive one I've had so far). If you're serious about it check out the manuals and tutorial; they have a lot more info.

The Sony ZV-1 camera is a small heavily armed tactical device meant to tackle a big list of digital imaging tasks, from movies to selfies to still images of all types--close up, panoramic, portraits. It's targeting the VLOG market, with an available remote grip/tripod gadget that connects with bluetooth to the camera itself. The grip is a solid handle that features some basic control buttons, and has two flip out "feet" to make a little tripod. The top of the grip is the usual tripod mount for cameras, and has an easy-access press button to tilt the camera. All you have to do is flip out the screen on the camera, and aim it at yourself, and use the Sony Edge Mobile remote app on your phone (or PC) to control the camera for producing a VLOG. There is also free Sony software for PC or Mac you can use to edit and sort images. At the price of this camera and grip, it might have too steep a learning curve for even an adventurous newbie. If you have some experience with digital cameras and video, this may just the thing for your next step up. It is by far the fastest multi-shot digital camera I've ever used. You can really make some cool GIFs with other programs with a series of fast shots this camera takes while the auto-focus is bringing the subject into focus. Pluses---Zeiss lens. Great, stunning quality still images. Sharp macro auto-focus. Cool focusing effects. The "product showcase" mode is excellent, the focus quickly moves to something you hold up to the camera. The gimbal/tripod/remote that is included as a bonus right now is a cool idea. Phone app for remote operation and easy image editing/sharing. The wifi features of this unit are a plus, but a bit tricky to set up and use for transferring images or video to PC. Minuses--Tiny buttons. You almost need a stylus. The camera could have been a bit bigger. The battery doesn't last very long at all. I've had to recharge three times just experimenting with it. So many tricky little settings dependent on other settings. This could be a one-semester college class learning everything this camera can do. Gone are the days where cameras and phones came with a nice thick little manual. You have to download (or view online) a huge PDF in this case. But don't get me wrong--once you get all the features and options down pat this camera probably can do anything and everything a digital camera can be expected to do.

First of all, doing some research there are hours and hours of Youtube content on the PROS of this camera. I spent a decent amount of time watching and learning how the professionals rated this camera and to see how they would best utilize this camera. I was shocked with how versatile this camera really is!! Sony hit this one out of the park, I am pretty familiar with DSLR's and have GoPros for some of the action/adventure capturing so this camera I had high hopes for to become that in between solution. I can say without a doubt it really has. It has some of the entry level capabilities paired with some of the high end demands. Sony also found a way to simplify some of the complicated, the single button to apply the bokah affect is super easy. The sony menu took some getting used to so expect a decent amount of time to become familiar with how this camera ticks. This camera paired with Sony's Vlogger Accessory Kit can get anyone interested in experimenting with a YouTube channel off the ground with tons of room to grow as you learn. The camera's specifications also combine some of the best features of higher end options in a more affortable sweet spot for price. I have been very happy with the content this camera captures and can only think of two minor cons, battery life but the trade off is a super compact feature packed camera, so just buy another battery. Second con is the plastic covers for the HDMI, audio/mic input and usb charging port need very careful operation as to not damage them, only time will tell how durable they are and after playing with this camera for about a week this is the only thing I can really find about it that is less awesome. This is a great camera and will be a huge success, hoping the tons of existing reviews and online content help showcase how great this camera really is!!!