This series of articles will look at some of the best camera phones available on Amazon for under £1,000 and compare them to cameras of a similar price to let you decide if the camera on your phone is good enough. In this article, we will compare the Sony ZV-1 camera and the OnePlus 9 smartphone.
Sony ZV-1
The Sony ZV-1 is a slightly different option to the other cameras that we have covered in this series as it is primarily seen as a vlogging camera. Sony has built this camera with vloggers and YouTubers in mind, with the functions and design aimed at helping users produce high-quality videos. The ZV-1 is a compact camera that can easily be kept in a pocket, allowing users to bring it into their everyday lives and use it spontaneously when required. By weighing less than 7 pounds in total, the ZV-1 can be held all day long without stress and is an extremely convenient digital camera option. Sony have also claimed to have reengineered the colour science in this camera to optimise for various skin tones – a great asset for any vlogger.
In terms of features and functions, the Sony ZV-1 is a high-performance camera particularly in its low-light and ISO capabilities. The camera also features various pre-set modes allowing users to pick and choose depending on their requirements. With the Sony camera with just a push of a button, you can switch to the focus mode to look for the product and then switch back and forth when you please. As for image stabilisation it has a combination of both optical and electronic stabilization that results in a very smooth handheld shot every time. Furthermore, the autofocus on this camera is excellent for entry-level and beginner photographers as Sony has included real-time eye autofocus that works pretty flawlessly every time.
Finally, we will quickly summarise the resolution and lens capabilities of the Sony ZV-1. The ZV-1 can shoot 4k resolution up to 30 frames per second and 1080p up to 120 frames per second, it also can go up to 960 frames per second at 420p in two-second bursts. This makes it a really solid, professional digital camera option for any users wishing to shoot high-quality images and videos. The ZV-1 also comes with a Zeiss 24 70-millimetre equivalent lens that stops down to a 1.8 aperture at 24-millimetre and 2.8 aperture at 70-millimetres. However, this lens is not interchangeable so it is the only lens you will be able to use with this camera. This is one of the only cons we could find of this excellent DSLR camera.
OnePlus 9
Despite not being a household name, the OnePlus 9 is rated as one of the best smartphones to come out of 2020 and partly due to its impressive camera qualities. The OnePlus 9 has a 48-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. These cameras give users the ability to capture an impressive amount of detail with almost zero distortion. The ultrawide camera can be used for macro shots and as a whole, the phone takes very good macro images; however, the camera cannot get as close to the subject as some digital cameras are able to.
The OnePlus 9 comes with a nightscape mode that helps dark lighting situation images look excellent with good detail, exposure, and colour. It also has a 16-megapixel fixed focus snapper on the front which provides a nice level of detail, decent colour performance, and an adequate dynamic range during the day. This assists users to take high-quality everyday photos.
In terms of video ability, the ultrawide camera can also record 8k footage though it may seem like the video has been upscaled from a lower resolution image – in short the 8k video with this camera looks worse than the 4k version so you should just stick with the lower resolution. As far as the 4k video is concerned it was great from both cameras and there was plenty of detail good dynamic range.
Aside from the 3 cameras and various automatic modes that the phone provides, the OnePlus 9 lacks real professional camera functions that would help it compete with more professional alternatives on the market.
Comparison and Decision
The Sony ZV-1 may differ from the other cameras that we have looked at in this series, but it has proved an exceptionally impressive option – particularly for those who wish to purchase a camera for video/vlogging purposes. It has a range of features and is a great compact option for those looking at acquiring a reliable carry round. The OnePlus 9 may not be a well-known name but has been found as a great product by critics over the past year. However, after analysing the camera details it may be popular due to its function as a smartphone rather than photographic ability.
It was therefore decided that the Sony ZV-1 digital camera prevailed the winner of this particular battle. It is a really exciting product and one that we recommend for those needing a start in the vlogging world.
Thanks for Reading!
Keep an eye out for Battle Series #4 coming soon.
