Sony ZV-1 II review

Sony ZV-1 II is the most phone-like camera on this list: a pocket body you point at yourself and press record. Its ultra-wide 18-50mm equivalent zoom is wider than most compacts, so you and the scene behind you fit in the frame at arm's length. The 1.0-type sensor is larger than a typical phone sensor though smaller than APS-C, and Sony pairs it with an intelligent microphone and a wind screen for clearer voice audio. A Bokeh Switch softens the background, Active Mode steadies walking shots with a slight crop, and Slow and Quick Motion runs from 1 to 120 fps. Sony Electronics listed it at $999.99 when we checked and was adding a free Peak Design Cuff and one extra year on the limited warranty for ZV Series cameras bought direct. The trade-off is a smaller sensor than the Nikon Z fc, which costs less. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test the camera.

Who it is for

vloggers who film themselves at arm's length

Price

$999.99 at Sony Electronics.

Model: ZV-1M2/B $999.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• Ultra-wide 18-50mm equivalent zoom lens
• 1.0-type image sensor
• Intelligent microphone with a wind screen
• Bokeh Switch and Active Mode stabilization
• Slow and Quick Motion from 1 to 120 fps

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: 18mm equivalent wide end fits you and the background at arm's length
• Strength: Sony adds a free Peak Design Cuff and one extra year of limited warranty on ZV Series cameras bought from Sony Electronics
• Strength: Sold in black and white
• Weakness: The 1.0-type sensor is smaller than the APS-C sensors in most cameras here
• Weakness: Costs $239.04 more than the Nikon Z fc, which has a larger sensor and interchangeable lenses
• Weakness: Active Mode is not available when recording at 120 fps

Key facts

• Price checked: $999.99
• Sensor: 1.0-type
• Lens: 18-50mm equivalent zoom
• Audio: Intelligent built-in microphone
• Extras at Sony: Peak Design Cuff and 1 extra warranty year

Where it ranks

Sony ZV-1 II is No. 8 in our Best Digital Cameras verdict.