New vlog cam from Sony

Sony has unveiled a compact camera designed at the video blogging (“vlogging”) market.

The ZV-1 is not a camcorder in the traditional sense but more a compact stills camera that not only shoots video but has been optimised to do so.

A flip-out screen comes out sideways leaving the top clear for not only the built-in microphone with supplied windjammer but also any top-mounted mics which can plug into a standard 3.5mm jack or (if compatible) Sony’s own Multi Interface Shoe.

4K recording (25p / 30p) is available via a 1-inch sensor with an f1.8-f2.8 iris. Autofocus including eye-detection and realtime adjustment while filming is available. Face priority auto exposure is also provided, crucial for selfie-vlogging.

Optical and electronic stabilisation smooth things out in HD filming, with optical only in 4K mode.

For vloggers who like to grade their footage, Sony’sHybrid Log-Gamma and S-Gamut3.Cine, S-Log3 are options. Presumably S-Log2 also but the press release simply mentions S-Log3 twice…

Timelapses and slow motion can be done, and plugging the camera into a PC via USB makes it available as a webcam for live streaming too.

It’s going to cost around 800 euros when it’s available in June.

Here’s Sony’s own video about it: