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Sony has recently launched a new product called the Sony ZV-E1, which is the latest addition to its ZV model series. This product is designed to cater to the needs of content creators, vloggers, and YouTubers who require high-quality videography equipment. The ZV-E1 ($2,199.99, body only) manages to incorporate a stabilized full-frame sensor — a defining feature for higher-end premium cameras — into a remarkably compact body. Suffice to say, it’s a badass camera that packs a punch.

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Sony ZV-E1 Review

Sony ZV-E1 Review

This Sony masterpiece features a high-quality microphone that captures crisp audio alongside AI features that allow creators to expand their repertoire without requiring a crew. Thanks to its stabilized sensor, the ZV-E1 proves to be a great asset for handheld shooting. With the added benefit of a high-quality microphone, you’re sure to achieve impressive results without the need for a multitude of accessories. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Sony ZV-E1, its design, features, and performance, and how it’ll help you on your content creation journey.

Best For:

  • Solo content creators
  • Vloggers
  • YouTubers
  • Content creators that aren’t conversant with video editing
  • Content creators looking to make high-quality 4k videos in subpar lighting
  • Professional videographers working on a budget

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Sony ZV-E1 Specifications & Features

SpecificationsFeatures
Dimensions2.8″ X 4.8″ X 2.1″
Weight1.1 lb
TypeMirrorless
Display Size3 inches
Display Resolution1.04 million dots
ViewfinderN/A
Video Resolution4K
Sensor Resolution12 MP
Stabilization5-Axis IBIS
Battery TypeSony NP-FZ100
ConnectivityBluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro HDMI, USB-C,
Headphones (3.5mm), Microphone (3.5mm)
Memory Card Slots1
Memory Card FormatSDXC (UHS-II)

Design and Build

For vloggers who value portability and ease of use, the Sony ZV-E1 checks all the right boxes. This camera is not only lightweight but also boasts in-body image stabilization(IBIS), making it Sony’s smallest full-frame camera that offers this feature. Its form factor is similar to the Sony A7C, providing users with a durable plastic body and a decent grip that is comfortable to hold. Plus, the button layout is straightforward, much like other Sony ZV cameras. This includes a handy defocus button, as well as a photo/video/S&Q mode switch for greater flexibility.

Super intuitive Integrated touch support

The very first thing that we noticed in the ZV-E1 camera is the glaring lack of Sony’s trademark viewfinder. Instead, the camera is equipped with a 3-inch vari-angle touch screen. It’s worth mentioning that the screen is relatively small, and users may need to get closer to it for a clear view. On the plus side, the screen integrates perfectly with the camera’s full touch function, a qualitative upgrade from the earlier generation of the product series — the ZV-E10.

The ZV-E1 allows you to control all aspects of your filming experience through the touch screen. With only a few external controls, you will find yourself using the touch screen extensively. Fortunately, the touch screen is very responsive. With this full-suite touch-screen enclave, you can easily adjust exposure settings by touch and smoothly navigate the main menu options with just a swipe. Suffice to say, this design choice was made with vloggers in mind. Users will now be able to see a clear and unobstructed view of the live image at a glance more than ever before.

Smart Microphone

The ZV-E1 features a three-capsule microphone array mounted on the top. This is similar to what we’ve seen on previous ZV models. Also present is a wind-blocking attachment that helps reduce wind noise when filming outdoors. The mic design is versatile, able to adapt to different shooting scenarios including selfie shooting, interviews between the camera operator and the subject, and ambient audio to mention but a few. With the option to prioritize rear or front audio, or to simply use auto mode, you can easily choose the best audio setting for your needs.

The Zoom Rocker

The ZV-E1 comes with a handy zoom rocker around the shutter button. With the zoom rocker, you can control Clear Image Zoom, which allows you to digitally extend the lens focal length up to 1.5x for 4K video or 2x for Full HD video without losing detail quality. It’s an excellent feature to have when you need to get closer quickly.

Connectivity

The port doors on the ZV-E1 have a rigid design that stays open and out of the way. Unlike flexible doors that flap around and need to be moved every time you plug something in, these doors tend to be more convenient. The camera features three doors that reveal a single SD card slot, mic input, a headphone jack, a mini HDMI port, and a USB-C lightning charging port.

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Sony ZV-E1 Performance and Features

Sony is well-known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, and the ZV-E1 is no exception. This camera boasts an impressive range of features and delivers outstanding performance that will leave us impressed. The ZV-E1 is designed to provide users with a camera that can capture professional-looking video even without the skills of an experienced camera operator. Its various modes and features are tailored towards this goal.

Auto framing

Heavily underpinned by artificial intelligence (AI), the ZV-E1’s auto-framing feature is one of the camera’s strongest selling points. The ZV-E1 benefits from Sony’s impressive autofocus system, which includes advanced subject recognition capabilities. This feature was first introduced in the a7R V and has been carried over to the ZV-E1 for both stills and video shooting. 

The AI-powered autofocus system can recognize and track subjects ranging from people to bumblebees. This sets the stage for the auto-framing feature. Empowered by intuitive autofocus, the ZV-E1’s auto-framing feature offers an extensive range of crop sizes – small, medium, and large – that can be applied to the full image area. After selecting a crop, the camera uses its tracking capabilities to follow the subject as they move within the full image frame.

As a result, even though the camera is static, you get the impression that a human-operated camera is tracking a subject. It is worth mentioning though that while the effect is convincing, it is not foolproof. In low-light situations, the subject recognition feature can be less accurate, but it performs flawlessly outdoors. The resulting footage is engaging and professional-looking audio-visual content that can potentially cut down your post-production time by 100%. An interesting feature of the ZV-E1 is the ability to output uncropped footage over HDMI while simultaneously recording the cropped footage to the memory card. 

However, it’s important to note that both outputs are always in the same resolution. In other words, if you’re recording in 4K, you can’t save a 1080 crop to the memory card while outputting the full 4K signal over HDMI. This limitation may be a consideration for some users who want the flexibility to record different versions of the footage simultaneously.

Dynamic stabilization with framing stabilization

For videographers who prioritize capturing footage on the go, having reliable image stabilization is crucial for producing smooth, professional-looking shots without the need for a bulky gimbal. ZV-E1’s framing stabilizer features cater to this in full. The feature keeps the subject centered or positioned off-center for self-recorded video, ensuring steady footage. 

However, this comes at a cost of a slight crop, but it’s worth it for the stabilizing effect. While in-body stabilization is great, it can’t provide the same level of stabilization as digital stabilization when you’re on the go. The ZV-E1 incorporates digital cropping to enhance its stabilization capabilities. It provides two levels of stabilization: Active and Dynamic Active. 

The Active mode is already available in Sony cameras and crops the frame slightly to reduce any shakes or bumps from hand-held footage. On the other hand, the Dynamic Active mode is unique to the ZV-E1, which leverages AI subject detection to deliver more effective stabilization, particularly when used with longer lenses.

Product showcase focus

There’s also a Product Showcase focus mode ensuite, which is particularly beneficial for YouTubers who review products. This feature enables users to direct focus on subjects in the foreground, so they can easily showcase products to their audience. 

In our test, once we pulled the product out of frame, the focus jumped back to the user’s face. Combining Product Showcase with Auto Framing can add dynamism to presentations by introducing angle changes. It is worth experimenting with these two features together to make your videos more engaging.

CineVlog mode

The ZV-E1’s CineVlog mode is a simple solution for those who want a more cinematic look without the hassle of learning advanced camera settings. With just one touch of a button, you can achieve a film-like aesthetic with higher contrast, deeper shadows, and richer colors. 

Specifically, the CineVlog mode sets the camera to shoot in the S-Cinetone color profile with a low-contrast, cinematic look. Changing the shooting format to 23.98fps and applying a 2.35:1 widescreen crop with black bars, while the output footage remains in 16:9 UHD format.

In addition to its other features, the ZV-E1’s CineVlog mode allows you to adjust the speed at which the camera pulls focus when you tap on a different subject. This adds an extra layer of control to your footage, allowing you to create more nuanced shots with ease.

Image and Video Quality

The ZV-E1 shares many image and video quality characteristics with the A7S III. The ZV-E1 sports a full-frame sensor with a 12MP resolution, which may seem low compared to newer models but still delivers exceptional image quality with impressive dynamic range, even in low-light conditions. 

For those who primarily share their photos online or view them on small screens, the resolution is more than sufficient. The individual pixels themselves are of high quality, which is a major contributing factor to the camera’s satisfactory image performance. When it comes to video quality, the camera delivers premium value, offering outstanding 4K video quality with low noise, thanks to its dual native ISO 640 and ISO 12,800. Even better, you have the option to load your own LUT profile to achieve a palatable color grading. On the face of it, it seems that Sony is undercutting its premium cameras by offering the same 12MP full-frame sensor in the more affordable ZV-E1. 

However, the A7S III and FX3 have some additional features that set them apart, such as the ability to shoot raw video and 4K 120p All-intra video. In contrast, the ZV-E1 can only shoot 4K 60p at the review time. Sony promises a firmware update that will introduce 4K 120p in long-GOP format scheduled for June 2023.

Battery

Despite its smaller size, the ZV-E1 manages to retain Sony’s larger ‘Z’ type battery, the NP-FZ100, which has a capacity of 16.4Wh. With this battery, the camera is rated to last for approximately 570 shots per charge,

Typically, users tend to achieve double the rated battery life of 570 shots per charge. One of the convenient features of the ZV-E1 is its versatile charging options. You can charge the camera via USB or use USB power to operate it. 

Additionally, the camera has UVC/UAC compatibility. The implication is you can easily connect it to a computer as a USB device and operate it without any coupling software. Notably, the ZV-E1 is one of the first cameras to offer up to 4K/30 when used in this way.

Pros and Cons of the Sony ZV-E1

Pros:

  • Compact camera body featuring a stabilized full-frame sensor
  • User friendly
  • Widescreen cinematic vlog mode for immersive content creation
  • Includes S-Cinetone and S-Log3 picture profiles for enhanced color grading options
  • Produces impressive 10-bit 4K60 video with exceptional image quality
  • Boasts an excellent stabilization system for steady footage
  • Excellent battery life
  • Delivers top-notch in-camera audio quality for added convenience.

Cons:

  • Relatively expensive
  • Micro HDMI port is fragile and prone to damage
  • May experience overheating issues when shooting in 4K60
  • Does not feature a mechanical shutter

Frequently Asked Questions on the Sony ZV-E1

Is Sony ZV-E1 waterproof?

No, the ZV-E1 dedicated vlog camera is not waterproof. However, third-party vendors sell dedicated water-resistant housing that allows you to use your ZV-E1 underwater.

How long does the Sony ZV-1 battery last?

According to CIPA, the ZV-E1 continuous video recording time and actual time (when the camera is intermittently turned off and on) are rated at 140 minutes and 95 minutes, respectively. But you can expect to enjoy twice as much uptime in practice.

Does Sony ZV-1 shoot 4K?

Yes the Sony ZV-E1 shoots 4K quality video but only in 4K 60p resolution. That said, Sony promises a firmware upgrade to 4k 120p in long-GOP format come June 2023.

Conclusion: Sony ZV-E1 Review

The ultra-compact Sony ZV-E1 stands out as one of the most advanced camera vloggers, offering exceptional 4K video quality, reliable in-body image stabilization, and advanced autofocus technology. While it may be more than enough for most content creators, its capabilities also make it an attractive option for serious video productions.


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