Best ND Filters for Sony ZV-1 II (2026): Built-in 3-Stop ND + 52mm Adapter
The Sony ZV-1 II already has a three-stop ND in the 18–50mm f/1.8–4 lens. Sony lists it as 1/8 ND. That is enough for a lot of Product Showcase in open shade. It is on or off, not a variable, and it is short of f/1.8 at 18 mm in hard sun at 1/50. Sony’s spec sheet does not list a filter thread. The 2026 first extra buy is a 52 mm adapter (JJC / NiSi / Ulanzi) plus the NiSi True Color ND-VARIO 1–5 Stop in 52 mm.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Updated September 2026 · ZV-1 II · ZV-1M2 · 1.0-type · 18–50mm f/1.8–4 · built-in 1/8 ND · 4K30 · S-Log3 · no listed thread · 52 mm adapter
NIR-TCVND0.3-1.5-52. Built-in ND is 3 stops, on/off. Variable 1–5 is the missing control. Not an 82 mm GM.
Check Price at Amazonat AmazonRead full review ↓52 mm Nano-X ND2–32. Same adapter as NiSi. 2-stop floor — turn the built-in ND off first.
Check Price at Amazonat AmazonRead full review ↓Official 1/8 ND. Zero extra glass, zero adapter. Add 52 mm later when f/1.8 noon still clips.
Check Price at Amazonat AmazonRead full review ↓Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate affiliate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Comparison Table
| Filter | Range | Mount | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NiSi True Color 1–5 52mm + adapter | 1–5 stops (plus built-in 3) | 52 mm on adhesive/clamp adapter | f/1.8 18 mm when 3 built-in stops are short | Check Price |
| K&F Nano-X ND2–32 52mm | 2–5 stops (ND2–32) | 52 mm on adapter | Cheaper 52 mm variable | Check Price |
| Built-in 1/8 ND (3 stops) | 3 stops (built-in) | In-lens (on/off) | Product Showcase before buying an adapter | Check Price |
How We Picked
Three official facts decide the glass. Everything else is a pairing.
- Built-in 1/8 ND is official (three stops). Sony lists ND (1/8 ND) on ZV-1M2. Marketing copy: three stops in the 18–50mm f/1.8–4 lens. On/off, not a wheel. (Sony ZV-1M2 specifications)
- No filter thread on the spec sheet. Focal length 6.9–17.6 mm, 1.0-type sensor, ISO 125–12800, 4K30, S-Log3. Diameter is not listed. 52 mm adhesive adapters are the aftermarket path — confirm fit on ZV-1 II, not only RX100. (Sony ZV-1 II full specifications)
- 4K30, S-Log3, Active Mode crop. 4K is 30p; 120p is HD slow-mo. Active Mode is not available at 120p and is a crop, not ND. (Sony UK ZV-1 II — built-in ND / Active Mode notes)
Detailed Reviews
NiSi True Color ND-VARIO 1–5 Stop (52mm) + ZV-1 II 52mm adapter View on Amazon View on B&H
| Range | 1–5 stops (plus built-in 3) |
|---|---|
| Mount | 52 mm on adhesive/clamp adapter |
| Best for | f/1.8 18 mm when 3 built-in stops are short |
The ZV-1 II is not an empty filter mount. The 1/8 ND is real. NiSi 52 mm is what you add — on an adapter — when three stops and f/1.8 still clip 4K.
Sony’s ZV-1M2 specification: 1.0-type Exmor RS, stills about 20.1MP, ISO 125–12800, built-in ND (1/8 ND), 18–50mm equivalent f/1.8–4, 4K up to 30p, S-Log3 / S-Gamut3.Cine. The same pages do not list a screw-in filter diameter. Aftermarket 52 mm adhesive adapters (JJC, NiSi, Ulanzi) are the usual path. Do not force a 55 mm “native thread” listing — Sony did not publish one.
Sunny-16 at ISO 125, f/1.8, 1/50 is more than three stops. The built-in ND leaves a remainder. A 1–5 variable covers it. Turn the internal ND off when the NiSi is on if the histogram is already there — three plus five is eight, too much for ISO 125 talking-head.
PolarPro Edition II is not sold in 52 mm. That is why NiSi is Overall on this compact and PolarPro is not the first ring.
- 52 mm matches the common ZV-1 II adapter
- 1–5 fills the gap after the official 3-stop ND
- True Color next to S-Cinetone / S-Log3 on a 1-inch sensor
- Requires a 52 mm adapter — the lens has no Sony-listed thread
- Stacking this on the internal 3-stop ND in shade is too much
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
K&F Concept Nano-X Variable ND2–32 (52mm) + adapter View on Amazon View on B&H
| Range | 2–5 stops (ND2–32) |
|---|---|
| Mount | 52 mm on adapter |
| Best for | Cheaper 52 mm variable |
A 52 mm ND2–32 when NiSi’s SWIFT price is the blocker. Still needs the adapter. Still not 82 mm.
K&F’s 52 mm Nano-X ND2–32 is the Value pick because this camera cannot use the 67/82 mm SKUs from the a7C / ZV-E1 articles. The 2-stop floor is high if the internal 3-stop ND is also on — turn the built-in ND off first. Stay off the last ½ stop; a tiny 1-inch 4K frame still shows an X.
- Real 52 mm compact SKU
- ND2–32 matches the extra-stop job
- 2-stop minimum vs NiSi’s 1-stop floor
- Still needs the adapter
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
Sony built-in ND (1/8) — no extra glass View on Amazon View on B&H
| Range | 3 stops (built-in) |
|---|---|
| Mount | In-lens (on/off) |
| Best for | Product Showcase before buying an adapter |
The cheapest correct ND on a ZV-1 II is already in the lens. Buy an adapter only when three stops run out.
If the job is Product Showcase at f/4, or 4K30 at f/2.8 in open shade, Sony’s three-stop ND is the Budget pick. It is not variable. Active Mode adds a crop and is not ND. S-Log3 on this 1-inch sensor still sits at a higher exposure — that is when the 52 mm ring earns its keep.
- Official 3-stop ND — no adapter, no extra glass
- Always on the camera
- Not variable — 3 stops or zero
- Not enough for wide-open 18 mm in hard sun at 1/50
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
If You Need Something Else
JJC / NiSi / Ulanzi 52 mm ZV-1 II adapter View on Amazon View on B&H
buy this before the VND. Retracting-lens cameras do not like a filter left on at power-down; follow the adapter maker’s note.
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52 mm CPL View on Amazon View on B&H
shop-window talking-head. Not a 180° substitute.
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PolarPro Edition II View on Amazon View on B&H
not in 52 mm. Do not step an 82 mm ring down onto this lens.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the ZV-1 II already have an ND filter?
Yes. Sony specifies 1/8 ND (three stops) in the 18–50mm lens. It is on or off. External 52 mm glass is for variable control or more than three stops.
Is there a native filter thread?
Sony’s specification does not list one. Plan on a 52 mm adapter made for ZV-1 II. Ignore random 55 mm “native thread” listings unless Sony adds a diameter to the spec sheet.
Should the built-in ND stay on with a VND?
Only if the histogram still needs it. Three plus five is eight stops — too much for ISO 125 vlog. Default: internal off, VND on, or internal on and no VND.
Is this the same article as ZV-E1?
No. ZV-E1 is full-frame interchangeable-lens, 82 mm, 6–9, no built-in ND. ZV-1 II is a 1-inch compact with a 3-stop ND already inside.
Will an a7C 82 mm PolarPro fit?
Do not. Wrong system, wrong size, retracting lens.
Does Active Mode replace ND?
No. Active Mode is digital stabilization with a crop. Sony also notes it is unavailable at 120p.
Final Verdict
The ZV-1 II already has a three-stop (1/8) ND. The first extra glass is a 52 mm variable on an adapter, not an 82 mm Sony ILCE. Start with NiSi True Color 1–5 52 mm when f/1.8 noon runs out of three stops. Use K&F 52 mm ND2–32 as the cheaper ring. Use the built-in ND until that day. Do not stack eight stops by default.