Zend Framework 2: Disable layout rendering

In ZF1.x we have method for disabling layout rendering that looks like:

$this->_helper->layout()->disableLayout(); 

Of course in ZF2 this method doesn't work but there are some other ways how it is possible to do:

1. Set viewModel as standalone model in controller action:

public function someAction() {
    $viewModel = new ViewModel(array(
        'foo' => 'bar'
    ));

    $viewModel->setTerminal(true);

    return $viewModel;
}

2. Create empty layout and use it in controller action:

Create almost empty layout: module/MyModule/view/layout/empty.phtml with only content:

<?php echo $this->content; ?>

Then use this layout in controller action:

$this->layout('layout/empty');

3. Use response object for output content:

$response = $this->getResponse();
$response->setContent("Some content"); 
return $response;

That's all. May be there are some other ways to do this. As for me I prefer the first way, it looks simple and clean.