Sony has just announced a new addition to the ZV lineup, the Sony ZV-E1 Camera. This is the world’s smallest and lightest full frame, interchangeable lens camera and is great for content creators — especially professional vloggers. With unparalleled exposure latitude and amazing high sensitivity, the ZV-E1 is capable of full pixel readout and no pixel binning. Lets take a closer look at the ZV-E1’s features and use cases.
Key Features of the Product
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- 12 MP Full frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor
- ISO up to 409,600
- Full frame 4k with full pixel readout and no pixel binning
- FHD 240p and 4k 120p (coming with firmware update)
- Cinematic vlog setting, S-Cinetone, S-Log3, S-Gamut3
- 5-axis optical in-body stabilization
- Ai-based dynamic active mode stabilization w/ framing stabilizer
- Ai based AF: real time recognition and tracking for stills and movies
- Movie support functions: AF assist, breathing compensation, focus map
- Product showcase setting
- Vari-angle LCD screen with intuitive touch operation
- Dust and moisture resistant
- UVC/UAC USB streaming up to 4K 30p
- Intelligent 3-capsule mic with AI auto, and manual directivity
What’s New About the Sony ZV-E1 Camera?
Full Frame E-Mount
Sporting a 12 MP full frame, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, the ZV-E1 is a creative’s dream camera. It is capable of shooting up to ISO 409, 600 with minimal grain and class-leading dynamic range. The fact that it is an E-mount camera means you have access to Sony’s lineup of 72 E-Mount lenses. The sensor is capable of full pixel readout without pixel binning. This allows you to capture incredibly detailed and sharp content. This 12 MP sensor can also capture 15+ stops of dynamic range, so grading your video will be effortless. You’ll appreciate details in the darkest shadows and the brightest highlights.
AI Processor
The ZV-E1 sports the next generation of AI-based subject recognition, autofocus, auto framing, and stabilization. The AI-framing stabilizer allows you to fix the subject in any position within the frame (not just in the center) to give the creator more compositional freedom. The dynamic active mode stabilization provides rock-solid stability while walking. This feature will be indispensable to vloggers and those who love to create content on the go. The AI-based subject recognition will lock on to your subject and follow it with incredible accuracy and precision. This will work for a variety of subject matters, including, people, animals, birds, and vehicles.
Exceptional Video Quality
The ZV-E1’s 12 MP sensor able to capture FHD at 24/30/60/120/240p frame rates. It will eventually be capable of capturing 4K footage at 24/30/60/120p after a firmware update (which is said to be released by Sony soon). This is a versatile creative tool for professional videographers and YouTubers, allowing you to film smooth, cinematic and ultra-slow motion videos effortlessly. You can also record at up to 600mbps with a 10-bit depth of 4:2:2 color sampling. This means you’ll be able to create movies with rich, accurate colors and the highest possible details. The ZV-E1 also allows you to apply specific LUTs in camera so your personal look is captured in-camera. This translates to minimal or no color corrections in post-processing.
Next Generation Autofocus
Class-leading autofocus has always been a hallmark feature of any Sony camera. The ZV-E1 continues that legacy with a fast, accurate and fully customizable autofocus system. The camera can compensate for focus breathing that occurs with certain lenses as you rack focus from near to far objects. Focus mapping is another very useful tool for the videographer. When shooting a video, areas that are in focus and areas that are out of focus are displayed so that you can visually distinguish them. Areas behind the in-focus region are indicated by dots in a cool color and those in front of the in-focus region are indicated by dots in a warm color.
Useful Controls
A tally lamp is integrated into the Sony ZV-E1 Camera. It is a physical light that is visible from the top and front of the camera and is an easy way to let the subject know when the camera is recording. A red frame is also present around the LCD when recording. The product showcase button is another incredible useful feature, especially for YouTubers who frequently create product review videos. As a bonus, turn on image stabilization and produce stable product review videos with little camera shake even while walking. A physical switch for Still/Movie/S&Q allows you to instantly switch from one mode to another.
Who Should Buy This Product?
Vloggers
First and foremost, this camera was built for professional vloggers, especially those creating content for YouTube or other social media channels. It is the lightest and smallest full-frame interchangeable lens camera, so you no longer have to choose between quality and portability. A full-frame sensor that is back-illuminated and capable of ISO values up to 409,600 and 15+ stops of dynamic range means you can create videos in incredible difficult lighting conditions such as candle-lit scenes and outdoors at night. Also, take advantage of the AI-based technology built into the ZV-E1 to ensure stable, properly framed content — even while walking and talking.
Product Reviewers
If you perform product reviews, the product showcase button will be indispensable. Imagine holding up a product in front of the lens and having the camera smoothly transition focus onto that object without you having to put a hand over your eyes. When you put the product down, the camera will then transition back to your face/eyes equally, smoothly, and effortlessly.
Hybrid Shooters
The ZV-E1 is a great tool for the hybrid shooter who needs to capture rich photos and engaging movies. You’ll have access to Sony’s incredible lineup of 72 e-mount lenses for a vast array of creative freedom. With the latest BIONZ XR processing engine, all features will be lightning quick and you won’t have to wait for the system to catch up with you. With built-in AI tools such as subject recognition, autofocus, auto framing, and stabilization, you can concentrate on your creative vision rather than getting bogged down with the technical details. For example, with the AI-framing stabilizer, you can place your subject in any position within the frame (not just the center) and capture steady footage while walking.
Comparable Sony Cameras
The Sony ZV-1 Compact 4K HD Camera boasts a 20 MP 1” type sensor, but uses a 24-70mm f/1.8 – 2.8 fixed lens. It is incredibly portable and makes a capable, pocketable vlogging tool. However, for truly professional content creating the ZV-E1 — with its full-frame sensor and interchangeable lens system — is in a league by itself.
The next step from the ZV-1 is the ZV-E10. It sits in between the ZV-1 and ZV-E1. The ZV-E10 is an APSC-sensor camera with 24 MP CMOS sensor. It also supports interchangeable lenses and is more portable than the ZV-E1. However, the ZV-E1 has superior AI technology and image/video quality.
Finally, there is the Sony a7S III which is also a full frame, 12 MP interchangeable lens camera. The imaging and video capabilities are very similar to the ZV-E1. However, the ZV-E1 is more compact, has AI-based capabilities, and supports the product showcase setting.
Sony ZV Cameras – Comparison Chart
| Specification | Sony ZV-1 Camera | Sony ZV-E10 Camera | Sony ZV-E1 |
| Camera Size | 105.5mm x 60.0mm x 43.5mm | 124.0mm x 75.1mm x 71.1mm | 121mm x 71.9 mm x 54.3 mm |
| Lens Mount | Fixed Lens (ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T*) | Sony E-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Sensor | 20 MP Exmor RS CMOS Sensor | 24 MP APS-C Exmor CMOS Sensor | 12 MP Full-frame Exmor R CMOS Sensor |
| Video | 4K | 4K oversampled from 6K | 4K (full-pixel readout without binning) |
| Screen Type | Flip-out LCD | Vari-angle LCD | Vari-angle LCD |
| ISO Range | Up to 12,800 (native) | Up to 32,000 (native) | Up to 409,600 (native) |
| Price | $748 | $798 | $2198 |
Conclusion
With the ZV-E1, Sony has changed the game for professional vloggers and YouTube content creators. It’s the lightest, most compact full frame interchangeable camera you can buy. With features such as product showcase button, AI based AF, framing, and tracking, it is a hybrid shooter’s dream come true. You no longer have to choose between portability and content quality with the Sony ZV-E1 Camera.
