Another Odd Comparison: Two Tiny Overachievers – ZV-1 & GRIIIx.

Another Odd Comparison: Two Tiny Overachievers – ZV-1 & GRIIIx.

Please note I said “&” and not “vs”.

This is not about picking a “winner” or which is “better”… I think I have used today’s allotment of quotes so I will cut it out.

What this is intended to do is point out what these cameras have in common, and what is different, and perhaps they could help a rational one-camera person decide between the two.

I will use an approach I often use at work. Short version and long winded version.

Short version.

If low cost is your main concern and/or you mainly intend to shoot video get the ZV-1.

If stills quality is your main concern get the GRIIIx.

Thank you and good day or good night.

Still there? Ok. You could have saved yourself. On to the…

Long-winded version.

For starters, the use case for these two cameras is more alike than I had previously realized. This became apparent last Sunday when I used the ZV-1 at an event the chorus I sing with… sang at.

Scenes Seen: Sony ZV-1… The Companion Camera.

That day I used the ZV-1 like I would use the GR I had in the past for stills. This was broken up with fits of shooting video. But when shooting stills I mostly had the screen folded to the back of the camera so I could be more discrete. All was well. I was taking pics. My favorite JPEG B&W profile.

They were looking good. Low light? No big deal, right? Then I did it. I zoomed in after taking a pic…

Dang it. Mushy. Flipping tiny sensor.

That is the exact moment the GR popped into my mind.

Let me back up.

Many compare the GR line to the X100 line. I do not think this is an accurate comparison. Other than their cult like followings they are not much alike. The X100 is a wonderfully versatile camera. Especially that latest version VI. As equally adept at video as it is for stills from what I read. Add to that stylistic flair.

The GR does not bother with any of that. It’s CV is pretty narrow,

The smallest camera possible to get quality stills. The X100VI is a behemoth compared to the GRIIIx.

But, guess what is about the same size.

This is pretty amazing when you think about it. There is quite a size difference between the sensors at the heart of these two cameras.

An amazing feat of packaging with the GR. Now the ZV-1 can take a nice pic.

But light is your friend. Low light can suffer. The advantages of a larger sensor are pretty obvious. So what does the ZV-1 offer above the GR?

• A little video monster.
• Has a flip screen.
• Better mics.
• Mic jack.
• Stellar AF.
• Fast burst rates to go along with the stellar AF.
• Video product showcase focus mode.
• A zoom lens that achieves wider and narrower focal lengths than the GR.
• Lower price, especially used.
  • GRs hold their value well used, but ZV-1s drop like a rock.

All in line with the video intentions of the ZV-1.

They also share what some call shortcomings. I call those strategic compromises.

• No EVF.
• No flash.
• PEZ or Chiclet (Young ‘uns may have to Google these old timey candies.) sized batteries = buy more batteries immediately.

All in service of the small size. They also share some good traits also.

• Obviously… the small size.
  • Both easily slide in any pocket, including a front shirt pocket.
• Light weight.
• Quick to power on and be ready to go.
• Discrete image capturing devices that draw little attention at all.
• Hotshoe with TTL flash compatibility.
  • As crazy as it sounds both can pull off a mean little portrait with on and off camera flash.
• Bult in ND filters.

I suppose this is where I rattle off a list of reasons why the GR is preferred for stills. I will comply.

• Yes,,, the APS-C sensor.

It is cuss word amazing admittedly.

But there is much more to the GR than a large sensor stuffed into a tiny camera body.

• Snap focus over stellar AF.
  • I could write a whole post about snap focus but it is really not that complicated. It is high fallutin’ zone focusing. Just now that once you get the hang of it you will miss not having it. And I did with the ZV-1.
• Ergonomics.
  • A true one hander. With the ZV-1 you rely a lot on automation, but the GR has a true two dial (one dial and a toggle as a second wheel) set up along with a button for everything. And a dedicated mode dial is preferred.
• Customizability.
  • You can reprogram every button. You can even turn off the power button light.
• Prime > zoom for stills.
  • The ZV-1 ‘s ZEISS lens pulls a lot out of that 1″ sensor, but the lens on the GR is better to my eyes.
• Smaller size.
  • Yes, they are about the same size powered off. But powered up the GR lens is smaller.

But a reminder. This is not a this is better than that. Like the X100 I also think these cameras are different enough, size set aside, that they can coexist. Mainly because of video.

I would and have used the ZV-1 to create video that I would put up against any of my other cameras.

The GR… I would stick with stills. No more to say. My thinking is this.

If I were to travel cargo pants stuffed with both of these and some batteries and I could cover most any situation I came across.

If you have to choose one, I point you to the short version at the top.

Regardless of whatever you decide to do you will not go wrong.

Happy capturing.

-ELW