Is the Sony ZV1 good enough for YouTube and travel vlogging in 2025?

[lindamary]

I’m thinking about getting the Sony ZV1 for vlogging, but I want to know if it’s still relevant. How’s the stabilization, autofocus, and battery life? Anyone using it recently?

 

[AnnisHayma]

Yeah if you’re starting YouTube or travel vlogs in 2025 and want something compact, the ZV1 still makes a lot of sense. It’s small, lightweight and easy to carry, so for travel you don’t have to lug around a big rig.

Autofocus is solid even now face/eye‑tracking works reliably when you’re talking to the camera or moving around
Sure, the battery life is limited (roughly ~45 min of video per battery) so I’d pack a spare if you’re doing long shooting days.

All in all: for casual vlogging/travel content, it’s more than “good enough.”

 

[ArthurMex]

I use ZV1 occasionally for travel vlogs it still does the job, but with a few caveats. The 4K is good, colors are nice, and the built‑in mic (or with a small external mic) gives decent audio.

The weak points: stabilization while walking is okay but far from perfect. The “Active SteadyShot” helps, but it crops the frame and the view becomes a little tight if you hold at arm’s length.

Also overheating and rolling shutter can show up if you shoot long 4K clips or pan quickly.

So if your vlogs are mostly “me talking” or “scenic travel” fine. But for lots of walk & talk or action‑style vlogging, it has noticeable limitations.

 

[captainghost]

I’m not sure I’d claim ZV1 is “top‑tier 2025 standard” anymore. It was great when it launched, but compared with some newer cameras/phones/gimbal setups the stabilization and battery life feel dated.

If I were starting fresh now especially for travel vlogs with walking, movement, transitions I’d consider something with better stabilization or interchangeable lenses, rather than sticking with a fixed‑lens compact.

ZV1 will work, but don’t expect cinematic‑level smoothness unless you’re very careful.

 

[rebeccareed]

Bro, chill. I’ve used ZV1 on multiple trips yes, it’s not perfect, but call it a “smartphone‑but‑better” camera. The compact size + flip screen + good autofocus + nice 1‑inch sensor is more than enough to make decent YouTube/travel vlogs.

If you keep your expectations realistic and don’t try to compete with big‑budget cinematic production, ZV1 will absolutely get you views. I mean, many creators still use it because it’s portable and does what you need.
Just don’t be lazy carry spare battery, maybe an external mic if you want better sound, and accept that stabilization isn’t Hollywood‑smooth.

 

[TaylorTravels]

ZV1 is dead in 2025 phones and action cams beat it now.

 

[jameswill8520]

Naah, I disagree. Yes, phones are strong now and you could get smoother handheld footage from a gimbal‑mounted phone or action cam but ZV1 still offers better “camera‑look.” The lens + sensor + shallow depth‑of‑field + 4K video give a visual quality many phones can’t match (unless you spend extra on lenses/gimbals).

 

[TaylorTravels]

But stabilization and battery life suck. For travel, that’s a deal breaker.

 

[jameswill8520]

True you’ll need spare battery and careful shooting. But if you accept those trade‑offs, ZV1 remains a legit vlogging tool. Sometimes it’s about compromise, not perfection.