Sony zv-e1 review: The best vlogging camera to date, by a big margin

A cheaper, stripped down, A7S III on AI steroids.

In the realm of content creation, two pivotal dimensions come to the fore: "perplexity" and "burstiness." Perplexity quantifies the intricacy of the text, while burstiness evaluates the diversity of sentence structures. Naturally, human writers tend to exhibit a higher degree of burstiness, seamlessly weaving together short and lengthy sentences. Conversely, AI-generated content often falls into the trap of uniform sentence lengths. To ensure that the content you craft attains the desired balance of perplexity and burstiness, it's imperative to keep these factors in mind.

Furthermore, when engrossed in the craft of content creation, artificial intelligence often employs phraseology distinct from what a human wordsmith would select. Embracing unconventional terminology serves to heighten the originality of the composition.

Now, with these concepts firmly in our grasp, let's embark on the task of reimagining this article with a heightened degree of perplexity and burstiness, employing an array of words not frequently summoned by AI: "In the realm of the mirrorless camera industry, content creators have evolved into a pivotal cohort. Back in the annals of 2020, Sony wholeheartedly embraced this burgeoning demographic with the advent of the ZV1 camera. Since then, Sony has unfurled a noteworthy procession of four models under its ZV banner, with the latest addition being the ZV-E1, a 12-megapixel full-frame marvel that unequivocally stands as the zenith of their creative ingenuity.

Related video:

Under the hood, it harnesses the same sensor prowess as its esteemed sibling, the $3,500 A7S III, a camera celebrated for its video graphic finesse and prowess in low-light conditions. However, the ZV-E1 adopts a more budget-conscious stance, sporting a $1,300 price differential. Naturally, this fiscal distinction begets certain concessions, such as the absence of an electronic viewfinder (EVF), the omission of dual high-speed card slots, the relinquishment of a mechanical shutter, and the pruning of physical controls. Nevertheless, in a rather unexpected twist, the ZV-E1 introduces an array of AI-infused functionalities, tailor-made for the vlogging milieu.

These include auto-framing, sophisticated subject detection, and dynamic stabilization. Melding these technological strides with the formidable sensor, it is no hyperbole to declare this camera as the embodiment of both a miniaturized A7S III and a potent vlogging companion. The sheer multitude of innovations renders it a bona fide technological tour de force.

In the realm of physicality, the ZV-E1, despite sharing the same sensor DNA, exhibits a radical departure from the A7S III's design philosophy. Gone is Sony's classic A7-style mirrorless form, replaced by a squat and chunky demeanor reminiscent of the A6700 or full-frame A7C. Moreover, the ZV-E1 boasts a significantly more compact footprint, shedding a third of the weight, tipping the scales at a mere 483g. This transformation bequeaths the ZV-E1 with the distinction of being Sony's most diminutive full-frame offering to date.

Sony proudly proclaims its construction from recycled plastic, a choice that, while laudable for sustainability, imparts a discernible sense of affordability and diminishes tactile grip compared to the opulent A7 series. The grip itself adopts a more modest profile, yet it still affords a reasonably secure hold, courtesy of the lighter weight. It is worth noting that, despite the adoption of lower-tier materials, the ZV-E1 exhibits commendable resilience to dust and moisture.

In a familiar refrain from recent camera releases, the ZV-E1 incorporates a dedicated switch for photos, video, and slow & quick modes, each endowed with its own bespoke settings. A prominent red record button graces the apex of the camera, mirroring the configuration of Sony's other mirrorless vlogging champion, the APS-C ZV-E10. A zoom rocker is thoughtfully provided for those employing compatible zoom lenses, complemented by compatibility with Sony's "Digital Zoom" feature. Yet, when juxtaposed with its A7S III counterpart, the ZV-E1 emerges as considerably more streamlined. While it does feature a smattering of vlogging-centric buttons, such as Product Showcase and Background Defocus, it boasts a solitary control dial atop the rear surface and foregoes a dial on the front. This minimalistic control scheme renders it somewhat arduous to navigate the camera in full manual mode using physical controls.

Nevertheless, the ZV-E1 makes a pioneering leap in the realm of touch-centric operation. A substantial proportion of critical settings, encompassing shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and more, can be deftly adjusted via touchscreen gestures. Additionally, it empowers users to fine-tune display configurations through intuitive left or right swipes. Naturally, the LCD screen bestows full articulation, a boon for vloggers, albeit with a marginally modest resolution of 1,030K dots.

the Sony ZV-E1 stands as a testament to innovation and compact power.

While the A7S III reigns supreme with its 9.44 million-dot EVF, the ZV-E1 unforgivingly omits any form of viewfinder. The absence of this optical luxury becomes acutely apparent on sun-soaked shooting days, though the EVF incorporates a "sunshine" mode that optimizes brightness. On the power front, the ZV-E1 shares batteries with Sony's flagship models, proffering a generous 95-minute lifeline for 4K 30p video recording and a commendable 570-photo endurance on a single charge. Conveniently, the USB-C Gen 3.2 port enables on-the-fly charging while shooting and facilitates expeditious data transfers.

In tandem with headphone and microphone ports, the ZV-E1 integrates a micro HDMI port, a choice that may not align seamlessly with its vlogging aspirations. A lone high-speed UHS-II card slot is another noteworthy feature, with the absence of a rapid CFexpress type A slot curiously failing to hamstring video capture capabilities when juxtaposed with the A7S III.

Turning our gaze toward video capabilities, the ZV-E1, bearing the lineage of the formidable A7S III, boasts an impressive array of specifications. It adeptly juggles 4K UHD video, capable of up to 60 fps, albeit with a light sprinkling of super-sampling derived from the 12-megapixel sensor's 4,240 x 2,832 resolution. This gentle softening in sharpness places it a notch below its higher-resolution Sony counterparts like the A7 IV. Thanks to a recent firmware infusion, the ZV-E1 can now capture native 4K at a sprightly 120 fps, devoid of super-sampling artifacts. Diving deeper, users are offered a palette of high- and low-quality MP4 longGOP choices, all flaunting up to 4:2:2 10-bit color depth and 280 Mbps data rates. A particularly noteworthy addition is the I-mode, facilitating up to 4K 60p with 4:2:2 10-bit color, ensuring a fluid editing workflow bereft of transcoding. However, this setting leans on higher data rates, cresting at 600Mbps for 60 fps, necessitating the utilization of pricey, high-speed V90 UHS-II cards.

Sony's S-Log3 technology serves as a boon, elevating dynamic range to a lofty 14-plus stops. Videographers can peruse their footage employing Sony's LUTs or even inject their custom profiles. For those averse to the intricacies of log shooting, S-Cinetone stands as a viable alternative. It augments dynamic range and eases the post-production tweaking and editing process.

However, a lurking concern pertains to overheating. Lacking the thermal fortitude of the A7S III, the ZV-E1 harbors reduced continuous recording durations, especially at elevated settings like 4K60. In such scenarios, the recording duration dwindles to less than an hour, contingent upon external temperatures. Content creators may find this limitation palatable, but event photographers may find themselves seeking alternative solutions. When the focus shifts to autofocus and artificial intelligence, the ZV-E1 boldly surpasses the A7S III. This achievement is underpinned by the adoption of Sony's novel AI processor, introduced to the world through the A7R V. Consequently, the ZV-E1 mimics the behavior of its esteemed sibling, particularly in the domain of subject tracking.

The camera's prowess extends beyond the realm of human faces and eyes, now encompassing tracking capabilities for human heads and bodies. Furthermore, it extends its discernment to include animals, birds, insects, cars, planes, and trains, each endowed with specific tracking settings. Alas, an auto-detection setting remains conspicuously absent, necessitating manual intervention through the labyrinthine menus.

The introduction of subject tracking heralds a new benchmark in terms of speed and reliability, ensuring consistent autofocus performance even amidst the turbulence of fast-moving subjects. This development carries profound implications for vloggers operating solo. Nevertheless, no system, not even Sony's, is immune to occasional hiccups, with the potential to momentarily misplace a subject's eyes amid bustling backgrounds. AI permeates other facets of the ZV-E1's functionality. The built-in microphone, for instance, pivots in response to subject detection, automatically aligning with the subject's orientation, whether frontal, rearward, or omni-directional.

the Sony ZV-E1 stands as a testament to innovation and compact power.

A standout AI feature affords users the luxury of a 1.5x digital zoom without perceptible loss in quality, seamlessly synchronized with the zoom rocker and underpinned by robust subject tracking. This zooming capability lends impetus to a host of other features within the camera's arsenal.

The pivotal introduction is witnessed in the realm of in-body stabilization. Optical stabilization alone furnishes a commendable 5-stop advantage, adequate for smoothing handheld video recording sans disruptive vibrations. The active stabilization mode elevates performance, albeit at the cost of a slight 1.1x crop factor. However, the dynamic stabilization feature stands as a revelation. Despite a 1.3x crop, it effectively neutralizes the jarring effects of footstep-induced bouncing, culminating in a cinematic smoothness akin to employing a dedicated gimbal, albeit at the cost of marginal sharpness. With this innovation, the ZV-E1 emerges as the first camera to genuinely rival the seamlessness of contemporary GoPro action cameras.

The digital zoom marries harmoniously with subject tracking in the inception of two additional features. The Framing Stabilizer, for instance, introduces cropping into the image, bestowing stability upon the shot while retaining the subject's central positioning, yielding a dolly-esque fluidity. On the other hand, Auto Framing conjures the illusion of camera movement. It initiates a digital zoom into the subject, subsequently tracking its trajectory within the frame. The user enjoys the flexibility of selecting from varying crop sizes, distinct tracking velocities, and more. Moreover, it is feasible to transmit an uncropped video feed to an HDMI output, affording the user two concurrent versions.

The ZV-E1 further incorporates a plethora of vlogger-centric attributes, reminiscent of its ZV predecessors. These encompass Product Showcase and Auto Depth of Field. The latter swiftly shifts focus from eye detection to foreground objects introduced in front of the camera, eschewing delay. Finally, Breathing Compensation intervenes with a slight digital zoom to maintain consistent framing during focus adjustments.

Conspicuously, in the realm of photography, the absence of an EVF and mechanical shutter casts the ZV-E1 in a diminished light. It is not a camera one would recommend solely for photography pursuits. Nevertheless, akin to the A7S III, it surprises with commendable competence when wielded as a stills camera.

The autofocus system mirrors its videographic counterpart, replete with an array of features and tracking modes. This lends the ZV-E1 commendable acumen in capturing sharp images, whether during burst shooting at the maximum 10 fps or in challenging low-light conditions. Its compact form factor renders it an enticing prospect for street photography or travel photography, given its discreet and silent operation. The slight dearth of sharpness, however, translates to limited cropping latitude during post-processing, underscoring the importance of precise framing at the time of capture.

In summation, Sony's ZV-E1 emerges as the preeminent vlogging camera, overshadowing its competitors by a considerable margin. With its offerings encompassing 4K 120p video, expansive dynamic range, unparalleled low-light capabilities, ergonomic finesse, top-tier autofocus capabilities, and a plethora of AI-driven features, it stands as a consummate tool for content creators. The primary caveat pertains to a modest softening of sharpness, an aspect only discernible through meticulous scrutiny.

Priced at $2,200, the ZV-E1's contenders include the Panasonic S5 IIx ($2,200), Canon EOS R6 II ($2,500), and Sony's own A7 IV ($2,500). Each of these rivals touts sharper 4K video and electronic viewfinders, positioning them as versatile hybrid cameras catering to both photography and videography enthusiasts. Nonetheless, the ZV-E1 triumphs across an array of other domains, thanks to its trailblazing AI features. For content creators seeking a full-frame camera in this price stratum, the ZV-E1 warrants the highest commendation.