Why I Won't Buy Another Sony Camera
There are few things more frustrating than poor customer service and support. Unfortunately, that's exactly what I got when I contacted Sony camera support recently for an issue with my ZV-1.
Updating My Sony ZV-1 Review
Last year I published a video review of the Sony ZV-1, a camera that I was very impressed with. It has helped me make some of my favourite videos over the last twelve or so months. However, a good product isn’t just the sum of its specifications and components. For me, knowing that the item is backed by great customer support is also part of the buying decision.
Unfortunately, a recent experience with Sony camera support has left me with a poor opinion of Sony cameras. So much so that I wouldn’t buy another Sony camera. Given that I published a positive review of the ZV-1, and that I expect that some people that watch that review will also want to take into account customer support as part of that buying decision, I have decided to publish this video.
I hope some of you find it useful.
Sony ZV-1 - The Best Vlogging Camera for Photographers?
Is the Sony ZV-1 the perfect vlogging camera for your photography channel? In my latest video I will tell you the best features of the ZV-1 and show you how it could help you make amazing photography videos.
An Update to My Review
I’ve now published an update to my Sony ZV-1 review. Please read this blog post for my latest thoughts on this camera.
Why I Bought the Sony ZV-1
YouTube is awash with Sony ZV-1 reviews. In fact, even before the camera become commercially available to the public there were plenty of videos describing its capabilities. I know this because I watched a great many of them! I did this because I was very interested in getting this camera.
When I first started vlogging for my YouTube channel I used a Sony RX100 M5. That was until I got bored of having to use an external audio recorder. The RX100 (at the time) didn’t have a mic port so I was forced to choose a different camera. Switching to the Panasonic G80 was fantastic. It was newer, had more features, and more importantly had a microphone port. However, I really missed that compact body of the RX100. You really could fit it in your pocket.
When Sony released the Sony RX-100 M7 with a microphone port I must admit I was tempted but I couldn’t justify the steep price tag just to downsize. Then along comes the ZV-1. Not just a cheaper RX100 but a video-focused camera as well. Looking at all the preview videos on YouTube I knew it wasn’t going to be the perfect vlogging camera, but it met most of my requirements. I knew enough to pre-order the camera.
Now that I have ZV-1 in my hands, and I’ve spent time with it, I’m happy to share with you all the things I love about this camera (and some of the things I don’t). I don’t often do “gear reviews” and when I do, I try to keep it to bits of equipment that I personally own and think my readers/viewers would be interested in. Even less frequently will I talk about the video gear that I use but with an increasing number of you considering starting your own channel or you might already have one, I thought this review might be useful.
While my video review will still go over many of the same features as other video reviews, I will be looking at this camera with the viewpoint of how good it is for those of you who might be considering one to document your own photography adventures. My main photography genre is outdoor/landscape but I’m sure my requirements aren’t unique and will apply to other genres of photography like street photography.
I hope you enjoyed the video and it proves useful. No worries if this blog post doesn’t float your boat as I’ll be back next week with my normal service of landscape photography adventures and photographs.