Best Budget Camera of 2022: The Sony ZV-1

13827
1

It's been about two months since I picked up the Sony ZV-1 from Adorama.

Admittedly, when I first got the camera, I really didn't expect much. After all, I have a Canon EOS R5 and an EOS R6, both of which are much more fully-featured (and more expensive) than the ZV-1.

If I'm honest, I figured I'd test it out and get rid of it, but I've been so impressed by this little camera that it's going to remain a permanent fixture in my kit for the foreseeable future.

As I explain in the video above, there is a lot to love about this camera.

Is it perfect? No. But for the price, you get an awful lot of features, benefits, and utility.

So, check out the video above to see the 60-day review of the Sony ZV-1. For convenience's sake, I've outlined some of the highlights about this camera below.

Table of Contents

Sony ZV-1 Basic Specs 

As I just mentioned, even though this is a budget camera, it comes loaded with some really great features:

  • 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor
  • Bionz X image processor
  • 4K video at 30p or 1080 at 120p
  • Built-in ZEISS lens with a focal range of 9.4mm to 25.7mm (which is equivalent to 24-70mm)
  • Optical lens stabilization
  • ISO range of 100-51,200 (expandable up to 1,640,000
  • 3-inch articulating touchscreen LCD with 921,600 dots of resolution
  • 260 still images per charge (or around 75 minutes of video)
  • Just 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.8 inches (and the body weighs only 9.5 ounces)

So, that's not a bad list of basic specs, right? I've been really impressed by the quality of the 1-inch sensor and the speed that the Bionz X processor provides.

The built-in lens has been impressive as well (it is a ZEISS, after all...). The focal range is nice and wide and allows me to change up the framing of my still images and videos quickly and easily. 

The flip-out touchscreen LCD is a nice feature, too. I've found it to be nicely sized, bright, and the menu system is easy to navigate. These basic specs add to making Sony ZV-1, the best budget camera of 2022.

But there are other features that I've really enjoyed about this camera as well...

Best Budget Camera of 2022: The Sony ZV-1 is Loaded With Features

It's worth mentioning that in addition to 4K video, this little camera has the ability to shoot in Log and HLG. There are high-speed modes that record at up to 960fps.

I've found that the ZV-1 has a great autofocus system that's both fast and accurate. The accuracy comes from it being a hybrid system with both phase-detect and contrast-detect autofocus points. Eye AF for animals and humans is also included.

The lens has built-in ND filters, which are handy for both still imaging and video recording. The ND filters can be used in either auto mode or three different levels that are determined by the user.

Another handy feature is the connectivity that this camera offers: a microphone jack, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, in addition to a Micro HDMI port, a USB terminal, a high-speed USB port, and a multi-interface shoe. There's a built-in directional 3-capsule microphone with a windscreen included as well.

All this is in a tiny package that is small enough to fit in a purse, fanny bag, or around your neck with a neck strap. And at 9.5 ounces, it won't weigh you down, either!

Learn More:

Pros of the Sony ZV-1

In addition to the features I've already mentioned, I want to mention that I'm really impressed with the battery life.

Now, as I discuss in my video, I'm using a third-party battery in this camera, and I was able to get almost 54 minutes of 4K 60 video out of a single charge. That's not bad!

Another feature I really like that makes this the best budget camera of 2022 is that it has a fantastic color profile.

Having a good stock color profile helps save me time in terms of editing video footage - the less time I have to fiddle with that, the more time I have to get my other work done!

As I mentioned earlier, this camera has a touchscreen LCD that flips out to the side. I really like this feature.

On some of my old Sony cameras, the screen either flipped up or down, which is pointless if you have a microphone or other accessory on top of the camera or the camera is mounted to a tripod or other mount - you can't see the screen!

But in this case, the screen isn't obstructed, so you get a clear view of yourself as you film. Nice!

Best Budget Camera of 2022: There are a Few Cons...

As I said earlier, this camera is awesome, but there are a few things that I don't especially like.

For starters, the factory 5-minute timer is a pain in the butt. Fortunately, this is an easy fix to make, so consult my video above to learn about that process.

Secondly, I like to be able to check my audio when I'm filming, but this camera lacks a headphone jack. Granted, there are tons of other ports and jacks, so kudos to Sony for cramming all the other stuff in there. But, a headphone jack would have been awesome.

Lastly, the built-in 24-70mm equivalent lens just isn't wide enough for what I need this camera to do. So, I've added the Ulanzi WL-1 lens adapter, which converts the 24-70mm lens to the equivalent of an 18mm lens, which is ideal for shooting handheld video in selfie mode.

So, while there are several things I don't especially like about the Sony ZV-1, two of them are easily fixed. In my book, that's a win!

Is this the Best Budget Camera of 2022 for You?

If you're looking for a feature-rich and capable camera on a budget, the Sony ZV-1 is a great pick.

Just bear in mind that it fulfills many of my specific needs - your needs might be a little different.

But, if after reading this quick review and watching my videos about the ZV-1 you've decided it's a great fit for your needs, then by all means, snag one today!

At the time of this writing, the Sony ZV-1 is $748.00. Again, for all the features you get with this camera, that's a great price!

Learn More: