Sony
NEX-7
Historic 24MP APS-C NEX flagship with tri-dial controls and built-in EVF.
$1,349
Launch priceReleased Oct 2011
Sony
ZV-1
The original Sony vlogging compact with a 1-inch stacked sensor, 24–70mm f/1.8–2.8 ZEISS lens, Real-time Eye AF, and side-flip screen.
$749
Launch priceReleased May 2020
ZV-1 is 8.6 years newer.
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Wins
NEX-7
Wins
ZV-1
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- ANEX-7 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZV-1 has higher Burst (mechanical) (24 fps vs 6 fps)
- ANEX-7 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 260 shots)
- ANEX-7 has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 315)
- ANEX-7 has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 12,800)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareNEX-7
120 × 67 × 43 mm
400 g (0.88 lb / 14.11 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
ZV-1
106 × 60 × 44 mm
294 g (0.65 lb / 10.37 oz)
NEX-7 is 1mm thinner than ZV-1 but it is also 14mm wider and 7mm taller.
NEX-7 is 106 g heavier than ZV-1.
Depth (front-to-back): 43mm NEX-7 · 44mm ZV-1
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
NEX-7
120 × 67 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
ZV-1
106 × 60 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
NEX-7
120 × 43 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
ZV-1
106 × 44 mm
Sensor size, to scale
NEX-7
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
ZV-1
13.2 × 8.8 mm · 1″
116 mm² area
3.2× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
NEX-7
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
ZV-1: mount data unavailable
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
NEX-7
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 119.9, 66.9, 42.6
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 260 shots — higher is better
AF points / zones
759 vs 315 — higher is better
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 12,800 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Reasons to choose
ZV-1
Codecs
Adds XAVC S, AVCHD
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 105.5, 60, 43.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I, Memory Stick Duo
Burst (mechanical)
24 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
24 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Weight
294 g vs 400 g — lower is better
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 94 % — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
NEX-7
Pros
- ✓Historic NEX flagship
- ✓Tri-dial controls
- ✓Built-in EVF
- ✓24MP for era
Cons
- –Very old AF
- –No 4K
- –Superseded long ago
ZV-1
Pros
- ✓1-inch stacked Exmor RS sensor with DRAM
- ✓24–70mm f/1.8–2.8 ZEISS zoom
- ✓Real-time Eye AF and Product Showcase
- ✓Side vari-angle LCD for vlogging
- ✓4K oversampled video and HFR slow-mo
Cons
- –Fixed 24–70mm zoom (no telephoto reach)
- –No built-in ND filter (unlike ZV-1 II)
- –No EVF
- –Short battery life for long shoots
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the NEX-7 and ZV-1 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, NEX-7 or ZV-1?
NEX-7 scores 7.5/10 versus 3.5/10 for ZV-1 — 400g — ultralight for all-day carry.
What's the resolution difference between the NEX-7 and ZV-1?
NEX-7 is 24.3 MP and ZV-1 is 20.1 MP, so the NEX-7 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the NEX-7 and ZV-1 have in-body image stabilization?
NEX-7 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while ZV-1 uses Optical SteadyShot + Active electronic (electronic).
Which shoots faster bursts — the NEX-7 or the ZV-1?
NEX-7 reaches 15 fps electronic. ZV-1 reaches 24 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the NEX-7 and ZV-1?
NEX-7 weighs 400 g and ZV-1 weighs 294 g, so the ZV-1 is 106 g lighter.
Do the NEX-7 and ZV-1 record 4K video?
NEX-7: 4K up to 60p. ZV-1: 4K up to 30p.
Are the NEX-7 and ZV-1 weather sealed?
NEX-7: No. ZV-1: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the NEX-7 and 260 shots for the ZV-1, giving the NEX-7 the edge.
How much does each cost?
NEX-7 launched at $1,349 and ZV-1 at $749. The ZV-1 is $600 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way NEX-7 vs ZV-1 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed August 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.