Sony just released their latest and greatest vlogging camera. People are not happy.
So the Zv1 Mark II is the predecessor to the original ZVI Mark1. Or, the predecessor to the ZV1F, depending on how you want to look at it. It is Sony's newest, point and shoot style, videocentric camera, designed for vloggers and content creators. In terms of the ZV line up, it is dwarfed by its bigger, older brothers, the ZV-E10 and the ZV-E1. The ZV1 line of cameras, with their fixed lenses, make them perfect All-in-one solutions when compared to the ZV-E10 and ZV-E1. Its intuitive features, size and cost make it a perfect camera for anyone just picking up a dedicated camera for the first time.
Updates to the camera
So, there are a few upgrades to this camera when compared to the ZV1 Mark I. However, there are some obvious downgrades, when compared to ZV Mark1 as well. We will get to that in a bit.
Lens
The most notable upgrade is the 18-50mm, full frame equivalent, lens. I personally think this is the most impressive upgrade, considering who this camera is marketed to. The original ZV1 Mark I sported a 24-70mm full frame equivalent lens, which, I, and later Sony admitted, was not wide enough on the wide end for vloggers. Sony eventually “fixed” this with the release of the ZV1F and its fixed 20mm full frame equivalent prime lens, giving vloggers some additional space to fit in their beautiful faces. Also, several aftermarket wide angle adapters were created for the ZV1 Mark I, further solidifying the need for wider lenses in the future.
Audio
Sony brought over the same 3-capsule microphone from the ZV1 Mark 1. However, the ZV1 Mark II, allows the user to set which direction audio will be recorded from. This means the camera will pick up and record sound from in front, behind or bidirectional, depending on what the user's shooting style is. This feature is nice if you want to alternate which direction you are recording audio from. We now also get “AI” controlled sound, in which the camera can change which direction audio is recorded automatically.
Other features
We also see the addition of the Cinematic Vlog setting, which is carried over from the flagship ZV-E1. This gives the user a wide range of creative presets in camera without the fuss of having to manipulate different camera settings. This is a definite advantage for new users who may not be familiar with manipulating different camera settings to achieve a desired look. The ZV Mark II also has different touch screen features that make it seem more “smartphone like”. Another pro for new camera users making the jump from a smartphone to dedicated vlogging camera. Finally, we excitedly (Sony's words, not mine) get USB-C! Yayyyy...
The Not So Good
Ok So, why is everyone upset with this released? Well for starters, this does not seem like an “upgrade” to the original ZV1 Mark I. Sure, we get a wider lens and some additional audio features. But beyond that, this is basically the same exact camera. In some cases, it is actually worse! Lets take a look.
Reduced Telephoto and Aperture
As I stated before, the industry seems to think wider is better when it comes to vlogging lenses. The addition of the 18mm focal length on the wide end is great. However, we are now coming up short on the telephoto side. In the Mark I, we had reach out to 70mm, now with the Mark II, we only have reach out to 50mm. For some, this may not be a big deal, but it is definitely a downgrade in my opinion. Also, the Mark I had aperture ranges from f1.8-f2.8, making it better in low light and allowed for more shallow depth of field. Now, with the Mark II, we see the aperture values fall to f1.8-f4. So now when shooting at longer focal lengths, your max aperture value is less than what it would have been with the Mark I. Another notable downgrade.
Optical Image Stabilization...gone
The removal of optical image stabilization is a huge blow to vloggers. I imagine this was either a cost cutting exercise or just not possible due to the wider focal length. In either case, this leaves image stabilization in the hands of just Active Stabilization, or digital crop. When engaged, your 18mm lens feels more like a 23mm lens, thus negating the differences between the optically stabilized Mark I, with its 24mm lens and the Mark II.
4k60...what?
Another absent feature from this “upgrade” are new video shooting features. Most notably we are missing 4K60. I would consider 4k60 to be standard across most, if not all, videocentric cameras these days. For example, most action cameras and smartphones have the ability to shoot in 4k60. That fact that Sony left it out out of this new body is disappointing to say the least. This could have been because of heat management issues when shooting at 4k60, perhaps the older sensor carried over from the Mark I (also a disappointment we are not seeing new sensor) could not have supported it or, if I can put on my conspiracy hat for a moment, perhaps Sony wanted users wanting 4k60 to purchase more expensive cameras options.
Who needs 10bit?
Another video feature that was not included in the Mark II was 10bit video. While you are able to record in different Log modes, the camera can only record in 8bit color depth. Once again, more and more cameras are moving to also feature 10bit recording. The smaller and cheaper GoPro 11 and DJI Action 3, both are capable of recording in 10bit. It seems odd that Sony, a company who specializes in videos cameras, would not include this feature to remain competitive in the market.
Should you Buy or Upgrade to the ZV1 Mark II?
So whether or not you want to buy or upgrade to the ZV1 Mark II really comes down to your need for a wide angle lens. If you are a hardcore vlogger who spends most of their time handholding a camera in front of your face, then the 18mm focal length on the Mark II is going to benefit you greatly. Now, yes there are some obvious downside to this lens, namely the the reduced aperture values and telephoto focal length, but if you are only concerned with wide angle vlogging shots, then the 18mm with f1.8 aperture is going to be more than enough.
Now if you are thinking about using this camera for any application other than vlogging, like a travel or family video camera, then you may be better off with the Mark I or even the ZV1F. The 24-70mm full frame equivalent lens gives you that extra reach when you are unable to get close to a subject or scene. I can image certain travel scenarios or sporting events where crowds of people or barriers make it hard to approach a scene, would make that 70mm focal length more appealing. Also, when shooting in low light scenarios, the f2.8 aperture would help a lot more than the f4 in the Mark II. Optical Image stabilization is also handy when recording while walking while still maintaining the desired focal length. Also, the ZV1 Mark I can be found used for a great value. I have seen prices range from the low $400s to $600s. When compared to the Mark II's $900 price tag, that is a steal.
If you are looking to do some vlogging and want a cheaper wide angle option, then the ZV1F might be a good solution. While not as wide as the 18mm on the Mark II, it is potentially wide enough for some. Yes, there is also no optical image stabilization in the ZV1F, but for the low used price of around $350 to $450, this camera is a real bargain.
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