Sony ZV-1 II

I think the Sony ZV-1 II is a handy and user-friendly vlogging camera. Because I mainly vlog on vacation, the size of a vlogging camera is important to me. This compact camera even fits in my jacket pocket, so I always carry it with me. I like the wide 18-50mm zoom lens for vlogs. At 18mm I portray both myself and the environment. If I want to show something in the distance, I zoom in to 50mm. This zoom range is not very large compared to other vlogging cameras. I turn on the image stabilization while walking or exercising. This reduces vibration, making my images stable. The camera only has electronic image stabilization, which narrows my angle of view. I think that's a shame, because it makes me less visible.

Autofocus with tracking
Sony's cameras always have fast and accurate autofocus. The ZV-1 II is no exception. When I frame myself, the camera immediately focuses on my face. I find the autofocus tracking useful when filming other people. This way, it keeps a moving subject in focus. For example, I film my cat running through the living room. The camera keeps him in focus without my help. I find the videos clear and sharp, especially in bright sunlight. I film in 4K at 25 frames per second and find the videos suitable for YouTube and social media. In low light, I notice that noise quickly arises in the images, for example when I film in a dark room with only a ceiling lamp.

Useful vlogging features
As a novice vlogger, I would like to make cinematic videos without spending hours on post-editing. The ZV-1 II has a few useful functions for this. I use the Product Showcase Setting and the Bokeh Control function together for product shots with a nice, blurred background. The Product Showcase Setting makes the product in the foreground sharp. The Bokeh Control function, on the other hand, creates a blurry background, making the product stand out more. I really like the result of these functions. In the Cinematic Vlog Setting I choose from different standard color profiles, so my images do not need color correction.

Streaming features
I connect the ZV-1 II to my laptop with the included USB-C cable. It immediately recognizes the camera as a webcam, so I use it for meetings and live streams. I find this a useful addition to this camera, because I improve the image quality of my streams without external software or extra accessories.

What is nice about the camera is that it is very light. With a weight of 292 grams, it is easy to take the camera with you wherever you go. The camera is quite small and it fits easily in your bag or in your pocket.

The camera is perfect for vlogging and the button ensures that you are clearly audible and the background noise is almost inaudible. I myself am amazed at the sound quality, I am really satisfied with this. This new feature really boosts the sound quality.

I am very satisfied with the camera!