Which is the best camera for vlogging and content creation while you travel: a full-frame mirrorless camera, a compact vlogging camera or the phone already in your pocket? In this video I compare the Sony A7C vs ZV-1 II vs iPhone 14 Pro Max for vlogging, testing focal lengths, how each one looks when you film yourself, stabilisation, the built-in microphones and autofocus.
The three cameras
The Sony A7C is a 24-megapixel full-frame mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. You can vlog with a wide lens, then swap to something like a G Master prime for portraits. For this test I used the 28-60mm f/4-5.6 kit lens it originally came with.
The Sony A7C with the 28-60mm kit lens.
The Sony ZV-1 II is a small fixed-lens camera with a 20-megapixel 1-inch sensor, made for vlogging. It's lightweight enough to have with you all the time.
The Sony ZV-1 II.
And the iPhone 14 Pro Max, because let's face it, lots of people create content on their phones now. It's arguably the easiest to travel with because it's already in your pocket.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Sony A7C vs ZV-1 II vs iPhone 14 Pro Max specs
| Sony A7C | Sony ZV-1 II | iPhone 14 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 24MP | 1-inch, 20MP | 12MP (48MP main camera in RAW) |
| Lens (full-frame equivalent) | 28-60mm f/4-5.6 kit, interchangeable | 18-50mm f/1.8-4 | 13mm, 24mm, 77mm + 23mm selfie |
| Stabilisation | In-body (IBIS) | Electronic (SteadyShot) | Optical + electronic |
| Price at launch | US$2,099 with kit lens | US$899 / A$1,499 | From US$1,099 |
Focal length comparison
First I compared the widest and most zoomed-in focal lengths on each camera from a tripod. The ZV-1 II's 18-50mm equivalent is a much more useful range for vlogging than the original ZV-1, and the iPhone gives you three cameras, including an ultra-wide. At similar focal lengths all three look pretty similar side by side, but I love that the iPhone has a wide camera built in. On the A7C you'd need to buy a wider lens for that look.
Wide-angle comparison: A7C, ZV-1 II and the iPhone's main and wide cameras.
Vlogging test: framing and image quality
For the vlogging test I held each camera on the same mini tripod, all on auto white balance. At 28mm the A7C kit lens is quite tight: even with my arm fully stretched out you can't see much of the background. The good thing is you can swap lenses, and an 18mm makes a big difference.
The A7C with an 18mm lens (left) and the 28mm kit lens (right).
The ZV-1 II is wide enough that you don't have to stretch your arm out completely, which makes longer vlogs much more comfortable. On the iPhone, the selfie camera isn't the highest quality, so I often film with the rear cameras without seeing myself. Here's how each option looks.
The ZV-1 II and the iPhone's main camera have the most similar image quality, but I prefer the ZV-1 II because the iPhone over-sharpens. The A7C is superb and sharp, with a little depth of field even on the kit lens, though its auto white balance was consistently cooler.
ZV-1 II (left) vs iPhone 14 Pro Max main camera (right).
Image stabilisation
For walking and talking, the iPhone wins for me. The footage is buttery smooth, even when I switch hands. The ZV-1 II is very stable too, but SteadyShot adds a crop and you can see a little jitter when the camera jolts. At 28mm the A7C shows every footstep, so a wider lens helps, although I love its natural-looking motion blur. Watch the walking test to judge for yourself.
ZV-1 II with SteadyShot off and on.
Built-in microphone test
All three cameras work with external microphones, but I tested the built-in mics next to a busy road, facing the camera and facing away. The ZV-1 II has a clever directional audio mode, though it didn't behave quite as expected on location. You really need to hear this one, so jump to the microphone test.
Testing the built-in microphones.
Autofocus
All three are very snappy with autofocus. They shift focus from my face to something I hold up to the camera and back again without any problems, so the real differences come down to image quality and usability.
The ZV-1 II and the A7C.
Photos from the A7C and iPhone 14 Pro Max
These two also take great stills. Here are samples from my full Sony A7C review and iPhone 14 Pro Max camera review.
Sony A7C, edited with my Amalfi preset.
iPhone 14 Pro Max, edited with my Hazel preset.
2026 update: what I'd buy now
I made this comparison in 2023, and all three have since been replaced. The A7C II now has the A7 IV's sensor in the same compact body (see my guide to every Sony camera). The ZV-1 II is getting old, and for vlogging today I'd look at a DJI Osmo Pocket 4 instead, with its built-in gimbal. On the phone side, see my iPhone 18 Pro Max camera review. The A7C and iPhone 14 Pro Max are now mostly found second-hand, and the ZV-1 II sells for around A$995 in Australia.
A7C vs ZV-1 II vs iPhone FAQ
Is the Sony ZV-1 II good for vlogging?
Yes. Its 18-50mm equivalent lens is wide enough to vlog without stretching your arm out, and the image quality looks realistic without being over-sharpened. Its electronic stabilisation can show a little jitter when the camera jolts.
Is the Sony A7C good for vlogging?
The A7C has excellent image quality and interchangeable lenses, but the 28-60mm kit lens is quite tight for vlogging at arm's length. A wider lens, like an 18mm, works much better.
Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max good for vlogging?
It has the smoothest stabilisation of the three and an ultra-wide camera built in. The downsides are over-sharpened, compressed footage and a lower-quality selfie camera, so I often film with the rear cameras.
Which has the best stabilisation for vlogging?
In my walking tests the iPhone 14 Pro Max was the smoothest, followed by the ZV-1 II. The A7C with the 28-60mm kit lens showed the most shake.
Can you use an external microphone with these cameras?
Yes, the A7C, ZV-1 II and iPhone 14 Pro Max all work with external microphones.
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