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Sony a1 vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85
Sony Alpha a1 front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
86
Overall
67

Sony a1 vs Sony ZV-1 Key Specs

Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced January 2021
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Announced May 2020
  • New Model is Sony ZV-1 II
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Sony a1 vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Sony a1 versus Sony ZV-1, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both are created by Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the a1 (50MP) and ZV-1 (20MP) and the a1 (Full frame) and ZV-1 (1") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The a1 was released 9 months after the ZV-1 and they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the a1 grades against the ZV-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony ZV-1

 a1 ZV-1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2021May 2020More modern by 9 months
Display resolution1440k922kClearer display (+518k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Sony a1

 ZV-1 a1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony a1 and Sony ZV-1

 a1 ZV-1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Sony a1 vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Sony a1 has got outer dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Sony ZV-1 has specifications of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") along with a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

Contrast the Sony a1 versus Sony ZV-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the a1 versus the ZV-1.

Sony a1 vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the a1 and ZV-1 is 61 and 88 respectively.

Sony a1 vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison

Sony a1 vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over specs. The pic here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the a1 and ZV-1.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The a1 featuring a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Sony a1 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 30MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more modern a1 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Sony a1 vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison

Sony a1 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony a1 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony a1 Portrait photography details
Sony ZV-1 Portrait photography details
88
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/400s)
high MP (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Street photography camera
79
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
offers touch focus
weather sealing
great high ISO (32,000)
85
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
includes focus via touch
lighter than others in class (294 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Sports photography camera
90
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery (530 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
71
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
max fps high (24.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
supports tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery life (260 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sony a1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Travel photography camera
73
better than average battery (530 per charge)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
high MP (50 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
81
lighter than others in class (294g)
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
good megapixels (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
bad battery life (260 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony a1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography highlights
88
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great high ISO (32,000)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery (530 CIPA)
2 card slots
70
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
bad battery life (260 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony a1 Vlogging information
Sony ZV-1 Vlogging information
36
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
video res high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
includes mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
86
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic jack
lighter than others in class (294g)
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Sony a1 vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony a1 and Sony ZV-1
 Sony Alpha a1Sony ZV-1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha a1 Sony ZV-1
Class Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2021-01-26 2020-05-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 50MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 8640 x 5760 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 32000 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 50 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 759 315
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Max aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 133 -
Focal length multiplier 1 2.7
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,440 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 9,437 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.9x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames per second 24.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/400s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 7680x4320 3840x2160
Video format XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 737 grams (1.62 lb) 294 grams (0.65 lb)
Physical dimensions 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 530 photos 260 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 -
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail price $6,498 $750