What weighs only 294 grams, is super portable and shoots fantastic photos and videos? Studio 300’s newest camera addition, the Sony ZV-1!

A black Sony digital camera with a ZEISS Vario-Sonnar lens, viewed from an angle showing the lens and part of the grip.

A person holding a compact Sony digital camera with a Zeiss lens in their open palm.

I recently had the opportunity to test this petite yet powerful camera and found it would be perfect for people who want to capture great photos and memories on vacations or at family gatherings. If you’re a content creator, the Sony ZV-1 is a literal powerhouse. Fountaindale patron, Marquise Ryan, says, “I love it! It’s compact and does a great job filming my podcasts.” Marquise adds that he appreciates the camera’s recording time (up to one hour on a single charge) without having to restart.

To check out this camera or any other Studio 300 equipment, you need to first complete Studio 300 orientation. Our orientation is fully online, so you can complete the required training from the comfort of your home.

The Sony ZV-1 in Action

To demonstrate the camera’s photo capabilities, I recently took it along for a trip to Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo. Scroll along with me as I highlight some of the photos from my beautiful spring day. 

View from a car shows a road, sidewalk, and trees with a large body of blue water in the background under a clear sky.

Spotting Lake Michigan out of my car window.

A stone wall displays the Lincoln Park Zoo sign with the slogan "For Wildlife. For All." surrounded by a landscaped garden and pathways.

Lincoln Park Zoo entrance.

The first photo (left) was my very first photo using the camera right out of its case! Seeing Lake Michigan is always such a treat, so I took a quick snap from the car window. The second photo was a shot of the zoo’s entry. As you can see, it was a very sunny day, and the ZV-1 adjusted to the brightness nicely.

Scene Selection Mode

I consider myself a novice photographer (I haven’t ventured into manual camera settings yet), so for all these shots, I kept the camera in scene selection (SCN) mode on the camera. SCN mode allows the camera to automatically select a mode that’s best suited for the subject you want to capture and its environment.

A stone monument with an equestrian statue stands behind a pond, with a yellow school bus passing through an archway beneath it; leafless trees surround the scene.

Ulysses S. Grant Statue

A brown and gray duck stands on a wet rock near a small stream, next to green leafy plants and a tan stone wall.

Inside the Zoo’s bird house

A zebra lies on the ground in a dry, enclosed zoo habitat with scattered rocks, a tree, and a wooden fence in the background.

Sleepy zebra enjoying the Spring sunshine

Large, glossy green monstera leaves with natural holes growing against a rocky background, with some visible roots and stems.

Beautiful Monstera Plant

Two black-and-white shorebirds with long, thin bills stand on wet concrete near a pebble border; one bird is drinking water, the other is standing behind.

Two American Avocets

Zooming In and Out

One pleasant surprise was a zoom feature equivalent to 24–70mm/ f/1.8–2.8! Above is a picture of two adorable shore birds I was able to zoom in on while standing roughly 10 feet away. To use this feature, look for the lever on the top of the camera with the red star:

Top view of a compact digital camera showing the lens, control buttons, mode dial with a red star, and power switch, placed on a textured wooden surface.

I was also impressed by the macro shooting capability. Check out the wide view of this photo taken from the Lincoln Park Passerelle over DuSable/Lake Shore Drive:

A multi-lane city highway with light traffic, bordered by trees and parkland on the left and a concrete divider on the right, with buildings visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

The Main Shortcoming

Regrettably, there was one issue I had with the Sony: it doesn’t have a viewfinder like a traditional DSLR or mirrorless camera. I found this to be difficult when capturing photos because I couldn’t see the subjects well. This was glaringly apparent in the outside shots. Because it was such a sunny and bright day, I had my sunglasses on, making it almost impossible to see the screen correctly and focus on the subject, and I ended up guessing a lot of the time.

A digital camera mounted on a tripod displays an outdoor scene with a building and greenery on its flip-out LCD screen.

Recording Video

To end on a positive note, I was impressed with the camera’s battery life and subsequent quick charge, and while the photos were great, the camera’s standout feature is recording video. To demonstrate, please enjoy the sights and sounds of this video captured at Lake Michigan:

So, if you’re looking for a small but powerful camera to take with you on your travels or projects, please consider Studio 300’s Sony ZV-1 camera!