Sony has patently cherry-picked features that might appeal to aspiring or emerging content creators in the new ZV-1F. It has a 20.1MP 1.0-type CMOS sensor matched by very few smartphones in terms of size, yet potentially improves on its predecessor with a ZEISS Tessar T* F2.0 prime lens with an ultra-wide 20mm form-factor this time around.
Sony asserts that this will boost selfie-style video on the ZV-1F due to its responsive Background Defocus feature. The new "vlogger's camera" is also equipped with Face Detect as well as Face Priority Auto Exposure (AE) to stop the user's face being blown out with a change in lighting conditions.
Being a Sony compact mirrorless unit, it also, of course, supports award-winning Eye AF, electronic SteadyShot and an S&Q mode to switch between slow-motion and hyperlapse effects. When directed at something other than a face, the ZV-1F potentially helps out with Product Showcase to shift focus to a specific object quickly.
The new ZV-series variant also supports screw-on adjustable ND filters, as well as the same in-built mic (with the option of an external mic anyway thanks to a shoe and a 3.5mm jack) complete with the mini wind-screen of previous generations.
On that note, it has the same Vari-Angle LCD touch screen as the ZV-1; however, this one supports Shot Mark, a new function that allows the user to pick out very short clips, even those of 15 seconds in duration, for direct transfer to a smartphone or even a social media site right away.
On that note, the new compact unit still supports Wi-Fi and NFC as well as SD-card, USB type-C (also for charging) and (unfortunately, mini) HDMI outputs. It is also compatible with wireless tripod grips such as the first-party GP-VPT2BT and can be used remotely via the OEM's new Imaging Edge Mobile Plus mobile app.
Therefore, the ZV-1F may indeed be Sony's best shot at having created as much of an all-in-one vlogging (or streaming) machine that might lend more of a professional gloss to content than the average smartphone. It will be available in white as well as classic Sony black from late October 2022 in North America, and is projected to cost ~US$500/CA$650 at that juncture.
Meanwhile, the ZV-1 is already accumulating discounts on Amazon.