Upgrade Guide

Sony ZV-1 II→Sony FX3

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Sony

ZV-1 II

£649

2023

→

Upgrade to

Sony

FX3

£3799 (+£3,150)

2021

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the ZV-1 II. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the FX3

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	ZV-1 II	FX3
Price	£649	£3,799
Released	2023	2021	↓
Sensor	20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS	12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS (same as A7S III)
Resolution	20MP	12MP	↓
Video	4K/30p, 1080p/120p	4K/120p, 4K/60p 10-bit, 12-bit RAW output, S-Log3, S-Cinetone
Autofocus	Phase-detect + contrast, 315 points, Real-time Eye AF	Real-time tracking with subject recognition (human, animal)
Stabilisation	Optical SteadyShot (OIS)	5-axis IBIS — 5 stops
Burst Rate	15fps	10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic	↓
Battery Life	~260 shots (CIPA)	~640 shots (CIPA)	↑
Weight	292g	715g body only (with XLR handle)	↓
Weather Sealed	No	Yes	↑
Viewfinder	None	None — monitor/external EVF use only
Screen	3.0" fully tilting touchscreen	3.0" touchscreen, fully articulating
Mount	Fixed zoom — 18–50mm f/1.8–4.0 equiv	Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards	Single SD UHS-I slot	Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots

Compare side-by-side

See ZV-1 II and FX3 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

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Other upgrades from the ZV-1 II

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Camera family history