Ready to Level Up From Smartphone Photos? This Is the Best Camera Under $900 I've Reviewed
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If you've outgrown your smartphone's camera and want to make an upgrade, there's never been a better time. High-end digital cameras get better each year, and even low- and mid-tier options make it easier than ever to capture high-quality images and videos.
While your smartphone is a veritable supercomputer, images tend to fall flat and lack the nuance and detail. Their small sensors, fixed lenses, and computational processing struggle to compare with a camera's ability to excel in low light, fast action, and true optical zoom. The best step up is the Sony ZV-1 and it's on sale for $800. I reviewed it for the 2026 Men's Journal Tech Awards and gave it the best overall accolade.
Why Sony ZV-1 Is the Best Camera Overall
Courtesy Image
Sony markets the pocket-sized ZV-1 to content creators and vloggers, but don’t feel like you need to have a YouTube channel to get value from this well-rounded evolution of the classic point-and-shoot. Yes, it shoots 4K video and 20.1 megapixel images, and this dual skill set appeals to people used to a smartphone camera that does both fairly well. But at a price point under $900 (often on sale for hundreds less) with a quality built-in Zeiss lens that ranges from 24 to 70mm (a pretty standard zoom range that covers most photography situations), it’s hard to beat the value if you want to gain more control over your images without spending thousands on an interchangeable lens system from a big camera brand.
It also shoots up to 24 frames per second to better capture fast-moving scenes—a situation where most phone cameras come up short. Sony’s excellent autofocus is also rewarding for amateur photographers and videographers; the more manual focus controls allow you to achieve shallow depth of field and highlight specific subjects in frame. There’s a newer version of this camera out now—Sony ZV-1 II—but it’ll run you $200 more. Plus, it has a wide-angle lens range and loses optical image stabilization so the original may be a better choice if you’re focused on stills over video.
Related: I Spent Months Testing Headphones. I Didn’t Expect This Pair to Win Best Overall
Sony ZV-1 is a great camera for almost anyone. Beginners can experiment with manual controls and build their skills with a capable camera for a more modest initial investment. Pros will like the camera as a more portable auxiliary option when toting a camera bag with lenses and a full-size body isn’t practical without feeling too limited by the specs or options.
Sony ZV-1 II Specs
- Sensor: 1.0-type Exmor RS CMOS, 20.1 MP effective
- Lens: 18–50 mm (35 mm equiv.), f/1.8–4.0 zoom
- Video: UHD 4K up to 30 fps, Full HD up to 120 fps
- Display: 3.0″ articulating touchscreen
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g), Bluetooth; hot shoe; micro-USB-C; 3.5 mm mic input
Why You Should Trust Me
I’m a lifelong journalist and video producer who started shooting video and photos professionally more than 20 years ago when digital was taking over the camera world. I’ve shot video for PBS and commercial clients, such as Reebok, and had photos published in magazines and newspapers. I’ve followed the evolution of cameras and own interchangeable lens models from Sony, Canon, Panasonic; I also use 360 and action cameras extensively in my video work.