Sony has been the leading manufacturer of compact cameras for a long time. Perhaps that’s because it has its fingers in other pies, too. In recent years we’ve seen a barrage of new Sony cameras with different focuses, from action cams to pro-level shooters and everything in between.
Furthermore, the company has made its presence known with hybrid cameras like the RX100 and RX10 models that have brought together two camera types in one body.
Further still, the Z series is perfect for those who love taking photos on their phone. It could be said that there are very few niches left unoccupied by Sony, but they might just have left a gap when they didn’t make an alternative camera for their products!
Fortunately, numerous brands have picked up the slack with alternatives to some of Sony’s most popular cameras.
Read on for our recommendations for some of the best alternatives to the Zv1.
Table of Contents
Sony ZV-1 Alternatives
Below are the most competitive alternatives to Sony ZV1:
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Canon M5 | See Price |
 | Canon M1 | Price |
 | Fujifilm X100F | Price |
 | Fujifilm X-T30 | Price |
 | Panasonic Lumix ZS50 | Price |
 | Canon M5 | Price |
 | Fujifilm X70 | Price |
 | Nikon Coolpix P300 | Price |
 | Olympus TG-5 | Price |
 | Samsung NX Mini | Price |
Canon M5
The Canon M5 was recently updated to the M10, but the M5 is still a great option for those who want a Sony Zv1 alternative camera.
It’s a 24MP model with a large, bright touchscreen display and a 28-84mm zoom lens. What’s great about it is that it’s an extremely capable camera that won’t break the bank.
It has all the quality of a much more expensive model but with a much lower price tag. The M5 also has great connectivity, so you can easily transfer your photos to your phone or computer.
Overall, it’s an excellent option if you’re looking for a cheaper camera that’s still packed full of advanced features.
Canon M10
If you want to go for the newer camera version above, you can’t go wrong with the Canon M10. It’s a similar camera but with a few extra features, such as an improved autofocus system and a higher resolution touchscreen.
This is a great camera for beginners who want to get into the world of photography and those who want to take their hobby to the next level.
The M10 is a very easy camera to use and has plenty of modes that allow you to get creative and take stunning pictures.
Thus, it is a good all-rounder that is great for both beginners and more advanced photographers alike.
Fujifilm X100F
If you’re looking for something a little different, you could do much worse than the Fujifilm X100F. This compact camera has a retro design and some modern functionality, too.
There’s a 24MP sensor that allows the camera to shoot at a maximum resolution of 6,400 ISO, which is perfect for low-light conditions.
It also has an APS-C sensor to make the most of the resolution. The X100F boasts a hybrid viewfinder and extremely fast autofocus. It’s also fully weather-sealed, making it a great outdoor and travel photography option.
It’s a relatively expensive camera, but it’s a great alternative to the Zv1 if you want something a little different.
Fujifilm X-T30
Another great option from Fujifilm is the X-T30, a more versatile version of the X100F. It boasts the same APS-C sensor and hybrid viewfinder, but it has a 24-megapixel sensor that allows you to shoot up to ISO 16,000.
It also has a much higher burst rate, so it’s great for fast-paced action photography. The X-T30 has all the same features as the X100F but with a few added extras that make it a much more versatile camera.
Therefore, it can be considered a great all-rounder for photographers of all levels, whether they are beginning or advanced.
Panasonic Lumix ZS50 / TZ80 and TZ81
Panasonic has some great compact cameras that are perfect for photographers who want something a little different. The Lumix ZS50 is a cheaper alternative to the Zv1, whereas the TZ80 and TZ81 are more advanced versions of the ZS50.
As well as having an integrated optical image stabilization system, the ZS50 has a 16.1-megapixel sensor. It can also shoot in 4K and has a touchscreen display that tilts so you can get creative with your photography. The ZS50 has a 14-42mm zoom lens with a maximum aperture of f/3.3, which is not as impressive as the Zv1’s f/2.8.
However, it’s still a great all-rounder for indoor and outdoor photographers.
Canon M50
Canon M50 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera announced in October 2016. Like Sony Zv1, Canon M50 uses the same sensor and lens mount as Sony Z1 but has different features. For example, it has a better viewfinder than Sony Z1 and can shoot 4K videos at 60 FPS.
The main advantage of the Canon M50 is that it is cheaper than Sony Zv1 and offers decent image quality and performance at a lower price point. If you want a mirrorless camera to replace your DSLR, then Canon M50 could be a good choice.
It has good image quality and performance at a low cost. You also get some extra features compared to Sony Z1, like 4K video recording and touch screen LCD.
Fujifilm X70
Fujifilm X70 is currently the only camera in its category. In essence, it’s a mirrorless bridge camera that has a lot of similarities to Sony’s Z series cameras. X70 and Z are compact, have APS-C sensors, and have a hybrid viewfinder with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) and optical viewfinder (OVF).
They also both have electronic shutter options, tilting LCDs, and Wi-Fi. However, some key differences between the two cameras should be noted before deciding: There’s also no EVF on the Z1.
Regarding image quality, X70 has respectable ISO performance but a slightly worse dynamic range than the Z bodies. This makes it better for shooting backlit subjects in low-light situations but may not be as good for shooting scenes with contrasting light sources like foliage in the foreground and sky in the background.
Z1 has a larger sensor than X70, so its dynamic range will be better at capturing detail in backlit scenarios, but it also means that images will look flatter and less detailed compared to those from X70.
Nikon Coolpix P300
The Sony Zv1 is the successor to the popular ZR1 compact camera. It’s a small, lightweight camera that uses an image sensor based on the same technology as the company’s full-frame cameras. It offers good image quality and low noise at higher sensitivities.
The Zv1 is also a lightweight, compact camera that uses an image sensor based on the same technology as the company’s full-frame cameras. It offers good image quality and low noise at higher sensitivities.
However, it’s also much smaller and lighter than the P300, so it might be more suitable for people who want a small, lightweight camera but want to take more pictures.
It also has several other features that make it stand out compared with other cameras in this class:
A large, tilting LCD screen that lets you view both photos and video simultaneously
A touchscreen interface gives you quick access to your most commonly used settings and Automatic scene recognition, so you can select various shooting modes based on conditions like lighting or location.
Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-5 is the latest mirrorless camera from Olympus. It has many new features compared to its predecessor, the TG-4, such as a larger sensor with an improved image processor, built-in Wi-Fi, and 4K video recording.
No doubt, it’s a great all-around camera that will appeal to both photography and videography enthusiasts. However, there is one major downside to the TG-5: it’s quite expensive.
The body alone costs around $1,000. However, if you want a camera that’s equally capable of photo and video shooting, then the TG-5 is an excellent choice.
It’s also worth noting that the ZV1 is a direct competitor to the TG-5. While the two cameras have some aspects in common (such as size and image quality), they are very different in other respects (such as battery life). So while the ZV1 may be similar to the TG-5 on paper, it’s not a good replacement for it.
Samsung NX Mini
If you love the look of the Zv1 but want a more versatile camera, then you could do worse than the Samsung NX Mini. It’s a stylish camera with a range of features that make it perfect for a whole range of photography.
There’s a 20.8MP sensor that can shoot up to ISO 6400 and a built-in pop-up flash. The camera has a 24-100mm f/3.3-5.9 lens, which isn’t quite as impressive as the Zv1’s f/2.8.
The NX Mini also has an APS-C sensor, making it a great all-rounder for various photography.
There’s no doubt it is a great alternative to the Zv1 if you’re looking for something more versatile.
Conclusion
The Zv1 is a great camera, and it’s perfect for beginners. However, consider other compact cameras if you’re looking for something different. The cameras we’ve recommended above are excellent alternatives to the Zv1. Whether you want something cheaper, more advanced, or more versatile, we’re sure you’ll find something that suits your needs.
Other sony alternatives:
Sony RX100 Alternatives