I first purchased the Sony ZV-1, along with the Sony Handgrip, in July 2020 during the height of the pandemic with the aim of creating more dedicated video content for English teachers. This camera has helped me create around 120 videos on YouTube and I have also taken quite a lot of photos, yet I reach a stumbling block with the Sony ZV-1 for content creation.

The lack of interchangeable lenses has led to much frustration, and I have to rely upon the backscreen when taking a photo. Furthermore, when I take some talking head videos, it is a little challenging to keep myself in autofocus. I kept this little niggles to myself but it has reached a point where I find myself wishing I could have more ability to customise when setting up a photo or video, as well as changing the lenses for the shot. So where does this lead me? Getting a dedicated camera for both photography and videography.

The Pros to the Sony ZV-1

The Sony ZV-1 is a great little camera which you can just take out and shoot videos or photos regardless, much like these smartphones that most people have. There is also a microphone embedded into the camera and you can shoot videos or vlogging content whenever you wish. If you just have the camera itself, then it will fit neatly into your jacket pocket.

The other advantage to the Sony ZV-1 is you don’t need to worry about any settings as it adapts to the environment automatically. It makes taking video or photos quick and easy without the need to spend time on these complicated matters.

Images captured from the Sony ZV-1 over the past few years

Thirdly, is the camera shoots in 4K at a range of speeds but you just need to navigate the menu to ensure that the frame rate is correctly setup for the shot you need. Additionally, the menu system for Sony cameras is rather intuitive and you will be able to get to grips with this in no time. This camera is also geared towards content creators either indoors or outdoors.

Finally, if you want to get into video content creation, then the Sony ZV-1 is a great entry level camera which doesn’t cost the earth and is cheaper than a new smartphone. You will also discover that this camera has more than compared to a smartphone where it is a ‘jack-of-all-trades-and-a-master-of-none’ (i.e., a phone, camera, internet browser, computer, etc.).

The Cons to the Sony ZV-1

Despite the advantages of the Sony ZV-1, there are still a range of issues. For the beginner videographer or photographer, this camera can be a great introduction for content creation but after a while, you will start to notice some issues. The biggest of which is the impossiblity of changing the lens. You have a fixed lens which is great for some shots but not for all.

Second, the lack of a view finder when taking a photograph can be rather frustrating. You are relying upon the flipscreen to ensure the shot is setup and you don’t really see all the details present when taking a photo and you may discover some challenges or fail to catch what you trully want.

Next, the Sony ZV-1 relies upon the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries which are limited for longer video shots and you find yourself having to switch the battery. Furthermore, the battery and camera can overheat quite quickly depending upon environmental factors. If you are recording talking head videos for a period of time with multiple takes for editing, you will soon discover that the camera will power down and you need to replace the battery. I have therefore previously purchased some extra batteries for the camera.

What Camera is Next?

So where does this all lead? Well, as I have been interested in photography since an early age with me learning how to develop and print black and white photographs when I was younger, then I would need a camera that has the capacity to be a photography camera as well as a video camera. Being in the Sony ecosystem and being rather content with the quality of video that is capable, I would be keen to upgrade to another Sony camera.

When it comes to photography, the camera should have a viewfinder embedded, so when I am travelling or wish to take some impromtu photos, I would have a better chance to view the subject that I am lining up to take. In addition to this, the updated camera should also function as a video camera either both indoors or outdoors and if it has a flipscreen then this would be beneficial.

Obviously, the next consideration is for interchangeable lenses. I would really like to have a camera where I can change to a variety of lenses or lense filters depending upon the context which would allow me to have more functionality and creativity. Thus, the next logical step would one of two cameras.

The Sony A6400 is obviously the entry level camera which has all the above and is a lot cheaper to the Sony A6700. The Sony A6700 has 5-axis stabilisation while the Sony A6400 does not. However, there are some lenses which have inbuilt stabilisation features … oh decisions, oh decisions. Each camera has a flipscreen but the A6400 tilts up rather than to the side, whereas the A6700 flips to the side. If I have a microphone that I wish to use and I am using the A6400, then the micrphone would obscure the view of the flipscreen. However, there are wireless microphones so obscurity could be lessened.

Despite me deciding to upgrade from the Sony ZV-1, I will still keep it as I can always use it on the fly and capture some interesting video footage rather spontaneously regardless what camera I end up getting this year. It would also be nice to travel a little and capture some moments on the new camera. I will also invest in a few lenses, but for video content I am likely to get the Sony 50mm lens initially but it would be good to get more lenses after a while.

It would be interesting to hear from others who are interested in photography, especially should you have either the Sony A6400 or A6700. Nonetheless, I will keep you posted which camera I decide to invest in this year.