Smartphones are great for vlogging but even better is having a small, compact camera with quick access to some often-used features.

Sony’s ZV-1 is the device to have if vloggers want to make their lives easier. There are enough shooting modes and manual controls to up the vlogging game without burning a hole in the pocket. We spoke to Mukesh Srivastava, head of digital imaging business at Sony India, about what makes the ZV-1 a dream device.

The ZV-1 comes at an interesting time. As smartphones become a one-stop device, Sony pulls out a camera which is targeted at vloggers. What did you have in mind while conceptualising it?

There will always remain a thick line between a smartphone camera and a camera. With multiple limitations in smartphones, we believe people are clearly able to differentiate between the image quality and flexibility in settings.

Mukesh Srivastava Sourced by the Telegraph

ZV-1 is aimed at users who are content creators or those about to kick-start their content creation journey on social media platforms, such as YouTube. As a matter of fact, our target audience comprises creators who are step-up users from smartphones. ZV-1 overcomes multiple issues that a content creator faces while shooting with a smartphone, such as poor quality in low-light situation, audio issues, poor background bokeh effect and, most importantly, poor video quality. ZV-1 allows hassle-free creation of high-quality and attractive videos. Apart from this, ZV-1 has some amazing features such as product showcasing function, one-push bokeh and soft skin effect, especially meant for vloggers.

Autofocus technology is an important aspect of the ZV-1….

ZV-1 has a very important real-time tracking technology which takes AF to an absolutely new level. During vlogging, as the person indicates the subject with half pressure on the shutter release, the system tracks it regardless of where it moves within the frame. Thanks to the real-time Eye AF (both for video and still), the camera will automatically pick-up the eyes of your subject when visible in the frame. The system uses AI and “learned” subject information, including colour, brightness, distance and even facial and eye patterns to maintain focus, allowing seamless and true AF lock-on without the need to change AF modes. It’s a truly remarkable system that changes the game when it comes to speed and accuracy of AF technology.

How would you distinguish the ZV-1 from, say, Sony’s RX100 series?

Although the RX100 series is already a popular vlogging camera, the main target of the RX series is still image users, however, the main target of ZV-1 is video users, such as vloggers. ZV-1 is specialised for content creation and is loaded with vlogging rich features vis-a-vis any other existing camera in the market right now.

Do you see people buying Sony cameras eventually moving on to the Sony ecosystem, which has pretty much everything?

Yes! At Sony, our mission is to fuel your curiosity. With the help of technology, content and services, we create products that entertain and excite customers in ways no one else can and that’s how we deliver a soul-touching experience. We believe in delivering the best of the experience through our large portfolio, eventually attracting customers into the Sony ecosystem and offering them premium services.

At a glance

• Design and functionality: The lightweight (294g) camera is the first Sony camera with a side-opening Vari-angle LCD screen, allowing creators to simplify their setup.
• Steady shots: When recording in HD mode, optical and electronic stabilisation methods are combined to reduce shaking up to 11 times whereas while shooting a 4K video using Optical Steady Shot mode, there is an improvement in stabilisation effect to up to eight times, compared to that of standard steady shot.
• Clear voice recording: On-board mic features Sony’s latest directional three-capsule mic, designed for forward-directional audio recording allowing to capture subject’s voice clearly with less wind noise.
• Accessories: The vlogger kit accessory includes a GP-VPT2BT Shooting Grip with Wireless Remote Commander and 64GB ultra-high-speed media card and an additional battery NP-BX1.
• Pricing: Rs 77,990, available August 6 onwards