Sooo, just catching up on this thread. I've been shooting with Sony for a decade and honestly, I learned the hard way that a giant flash on a tiny camera like the ZV-1 is a recipe for a sore wrist. I once mounted a massive pro-level flash on a small body and the balance was just... bad. Since you're looking for value, here's what I've found works after years of testing:

• Godox TT350S Mini Thinklite TTL Flash for Sony
• This is basically the best bang for your buck at $85. It's small, has TTL, and fits the ZV-1 perfectly.
• Meike MK-320S Mini TTL Speedlite for Sony
• If youre on a super tight budget, this one is around $70. It's tiny, though it feels a bit more budget than the Godox.
• Godox V350S Rechargeable Li-Ion Flash for Sony
• I would suggest this if you hate buying AA batteries. It costs more upfront - around $160 - but saves money on batteries over time. Lesson learned: Be careful with the hot shoe mount! These small cameras arent built like tanks, so try not to bang the flash against anything while it's attached. Tbh, stick with the TT350S and you'll be set. gl!!

• Godox TT350S ($85): Best features.
• Meike MK-320S Mini TTL Speedlite for Sony ($75): Cheapest option.
• Sony HVL-F20M Flash ($150): Pricey.

The Godox is basically the best value. It's worked well for years!

Like someone mentioned, having a huge flash on such a small camera can be a total nightmare. I learned that the hard way when I first started out. I used a heavy unit I already had, and honestly, I was constantly worried about snapping the hot shoe off because the weight was so lopsided. Tbh, it felt like the camera was going to tip over every time I set it down. Since then, I've stuck to a much smaller setup that fits the camera better. My current one is pretty basic and doesnt have all the fancy automatic features, but it's been super reliable for indoor shots. One thing I learned is to watch the recycle times on those tiny units. If you're firing away too fast, they can get kinda hot or just fail to fire right when you need the shot. I've had a few moments where the flash didn't pop during a perfect family moment because I was rushing it, which was a huge bummer. Nowadays, I just make sure to use high-quality batteries and give it a second to breathe between shots so I dont fry anything... it's just safer that way.

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