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Sony · ZV vlogging cameras

ZV-E1

Released April 2023

A full-frame interchangeable-lens vlogging camera with sensor-shift stabilisation, AI subject tracking and 10-bit 4K recording.

Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Full frame
Megapixels: 12.1
Lens: Sony E
Video: 3840 × 2160 at 119.88 fps
Body weight: 399 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praised low-light image quality, reliable autofocus and stabilisation in a small body. They considered it useful for solo video creators, but criticised the single card slot and limited sustained recording. PhotographyBlog found the screen bright in most conditions; TechRadar struggled to see recording indicators outdoors and recommended an external monitor.

From photographyblog.com and techradar.com

Product links

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type: Mirrorless
Sensor format: Full frame
Sensor type: Exmor R CMOS
Sensor dimensions: 35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution: 12.1 MP
Largest image: 4240 × 2832
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 80–102400
Sensor detail: Back-illuminated full-frame sensor; approximately 10.1 million effective pixels for movies; optical low-pass filter and anti-dust function
Image formats: JPEG, HEIF and RAW (Sony ARW 4.0); 14-bit RAW; RAW+JPEG and RAW+HEIF
ISO detail: Standard ISO 80–102400; Sony's current specification lists expanded ISO 40–409600 for stills and movies, while its launch announcement gave the movie expansion as ISO 80–409600
Image processor: BIONZ XR with a dedicated AI processing unit for subject recognition

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: Sony E
Stabilisation: Sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst: 10 fps
Lens detail: Sony E-mount; compatible full-frame and APS-C lenses
Autofocus: Fast Hybrid AF; up to 759 phase-detection points for stills and 627 for movies; EV −6 to 20 at ISO 100 with an F2 lens; human, animal, bird, insect, car, train and airplane recognition with Real-time Tracking
Shutter: Electronic shutter only; stills 30 seconds to 1/8000 second; flash sync 1/30 second full-frame or 1/60 second APS-C
Burst detail: Full-resolution Hi+ up to approximately 10 fps; over 1000 JPEG or compressed RAW images under Sony's test conditions; 85 uncompressed RAW or 57 uncompressed RAW+JPEG images
Stabilisation detail: Five-axis sensor-shift mechanism; up to five stops for stills, CIPA pitch/yaw test with FE 50 mm F1.2 GM. Movie Standard, Active and Dynamic active modes; Dynamic active narrows the angle of view more than Active
Flash: No built-in flash; compatible external flashes through the Multi Interface Shoe
Exposure controls: 1200-zone evaluative metering; ±5 EV compensation; Product Showcase, Background Defocus, Creative Looks, Cinematic Vlog, Auto Framing and Framing Stabiliser

Video

Highest video resolution: 3840 × 2160 at 119.88 fps
Video detail: Launch recording up to 59.94 fps NTSC or 50 fps PAL at 3840 × 2160. Free installed 4K 120p licence available from 28 June 2023 adds 119.88/100 fps XAVC S/HS 4K, including 4:2:2 10-bit at 280 Mbit/s, with approximately 10% image crop and regional restrictions. All-Intra 4K up to 59.94 fps at 600 Mbit/s; no RAW video output. Upgraded Full HD 240 fps S&Q reads 1420 × 804 sensor pixels, so it is not native Full HD detail
Audio: Intelligent three-capsule stereo microphone with Auto, Front, All Directions and Rear directivity; windscreen; microphone and headphone sockets; digital audio through the Multi Interface Shoe

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: None
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 1,036,800
Touchscreen: Yes
Tilting screen: Yes
Display detail: Side-opening LCD opens approximately 176° and rotates approximately 270°; full touch controls; dots count colour subpixels

Connections and design

Wi-Fi: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
Battery life (maker's claim): 570 photographs
Body weight: 399 g
Release detail: Sony's UK announcement specifies April 2023 availability; month precision retained
Recording media: Single SD memory-card slot with UHS-I and UHS-II support; V90 card required for XAVC S-I
Ports: USB-C with SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbit/s, Micro HDMI, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, and Multi Interface Shoe; USB webcam streaming up to 4K 30 fps
Wireless connections: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz, subject to regional restrictions; Bluetooth 4.2; smartphone remote control and PC Remote
Battery life detail: NP-FZ100; CIPA claim approximately 570 photographs, 95 minutes actual movie operation or 140 minutes continuous recording using the LCD
Charging: USB charging and power supply with USB Power Delivery; battery must be installed for USB power
Dimensions: Approximately 121.0 × 71.9 × 54.3 mm (width × height × depth, grip to monitor)
Weight detail: Approximately 399 g body only; 483 g including battery and memory card
Materials: Dust and moisture resistant design; Sony does not guarantee complete dust or moisture protection
In the box: NP-FZ100 battery, shoulder strap, windscreen, windscreen adapter, body cap and accessory shoe cap

Pros and cons

Pros

Five-axis sensor-shift stabilisation
4K recording up to 119.88 fps with the free upgrade licence
Microphone and headphone sockets and USB Power Delivery

Cons

No viewfinder or mechanical shutter
Single memory-card slot and no RAW video output

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
CanonEOS R8	Mirrorless	Full frame	24.2	Canon RF	3840 × 2160 at 59.94 fps	414 g	Apr 2023
NikonZ f	Mirrorless	Full frame	24.5	Nikon Z mount	3840 × 2160 at 60 fps	630 g	Oct 2023
NikonZ 8	Mirrorless	Full frame	45.7	Nikon Z mount	8256 × 4644 at 59.94 fps	820 g	May 2023

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

Sony ZV-E1: Body terminal side with covers open: sony.jp/products/picture/ZV-E1_terminal.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black camera with optional FE 20–70mm F4 G lens and windscreen: sony.jp/products/picture/original_ZV-E1_SEL2070G.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black camera with optional FE PZ 16–35mm F4 G lens and windscreen: sony.jp/products/picture/original_ZV-E1_SELP1635G.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black camera with optional FE 24mm F1.4 GM lens and windscreen: sony.jp/products/picture/original_ZV-E1_SEL24F14GM.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black camera with optional FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens and windscreen: sony.jp/products/picture/original_ZV-E1_SEL35F14GM.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black camera with optional FE 50mm F1.4 GM lens and windscreen: sony.jp/products/picture/original_ZV-E1_SEL50F14GM.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black camera with FE 28–60mm kit lens, windscreen and screen showing photograph: sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/202303/23-0329/images/img_001.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: White camera with FE 28–60mm kit lens, windscreen and optional shooting grip: sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/202303/23-0329/images/img_002.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black body front and sensor close-up: sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/202303/23-0329/images/img_004.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black body front with windscreen and articulated screen extended: sony.jp/products/picture/ZV-E1_front_tilt_jammer.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black body from rear: sony.jp/products/picture/ZV-E1_rear.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: White camera with FE 28–60mm kit lens and windscreen from front-right: sony.jp/products/picture/ZV-E1_white_front_right_jammer.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: White body front with windscreen and articulated screen extended: sony.jp/products/picture/ZV-E1_white_front_tilt_jammer.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: White body from rear: sony.jp/products/picture/ZV-E1_white_rear.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black body from grip side: sony.jp/products/picture/ZV-E1_leftside.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black body from above: sony.jp/products/picture/ZV-E1_top.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Black body underside: sony.jp/products/picture/ZV-E1_bottom.jpg
Sony ZV-E1: Zoom rocker, shutter switch and record button close-up: sony.scene7.com/is/image/sonyglobalsolutions/03_Column_2-1
Sony ZV-E1: Front body, windscreen and kit lens close-up: sony.scene7.com/is/image/sonyglobalsolutions/FeatureBenefit_26_Mobile-6

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