The Sony Alpha ZV-E1 is a full-frame camera with a 12.1-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R image sensor powered with Sony’s advanced BIONZ XR image processing engine. It’s one of the most compact and lightweight full-frame cameras with interchangeable lenses. The camera supports multiple image formats, including JPEG, HEIF, and 14-bit RAW.
Sony ZV-E1 Sensor
You’ll find the Sony ZV-E1 has a full-frame 12.1-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor optimized for 4K video along with exceptional sensitivity and speed. It’s the same high-quality sensor found in Sony’s A7S III and FX3 models, delivering stunning image results that rival these more expensive cameras. The ZV-E1’s sensor has an optical low-pass filter and an anti-dust function for clean and sharp images. It supports a color temperature range of 2,500 K to 9,900 K, allowing you to capture accurate colors in various lighting conditions.
The flexible ISO in S-Log3 shooting mode allows the ISO sensitivity to change based on the scene’s brightness while you manually set the aperture and shutter speed. You can set the ISO to AUTO or manually adjust it between 640 and 102400. The S-Log3 profile enhances the reproduction of shadow to mid-tone gradations, offering a wider dynamic range. You also have access to different color spaces:
- S-Gamut3: Provides even better color reproduction than S-Gamut
- S-Gamut3.Cine: Designed to give a look similar to scanned cinema film
Sony ZV-E1 Design and Build Quality
This full-frame camera is very portable and lighter than its predecessors, including the FX3. The ZV-E1’s design prioritizes convenience without compromising on essential features. Despite its small form factor, it still accommodates the Z100 batteries used in other Sony full-frame cameras. When paired with Sony’s smaller, lighter lenses like the 16-35 F/4, the overall feel of the ZV-E1 is quite satisfying. The grip and ergonomics feels really comfortable. The build quality of the ZV-E1 reflects its focus on portability and affordability. The camera body is constructed using recycled materials. While this approach makes the ZV-E1 ideal for travelers and underwater photographers.
User Interface and Controls
The Sony ZV-E1’s user interface and controls offer a streamlined experience for both photo and video shooting. The ZV-E1 has a single control dial and a rear D-pad style controller. This design choice aligns with the camera’s focus on touch-based controls. The absence of a joystick for focus selection is due to Sony prioritizes touch-focus functionality.
On the top of the camera, you’ll find a simplified layout. Instead of a traditional mode dial, there’s a Still/Movie/S&Q switch for quickly changing between shooting modes. The generously-sized red record button is easily accessible, along with a dedicated button for background defocus control.
The 3-inch LCD screen is your primary interface, featuring 1.04 million dots and full touch sensitivity. It’s side-hinged, allowing you to flip it out to face you, adjust it up and down, or fold it back for protection. Sony has introduced a new set of touch-based shortcut icons, accessed by swiping in different directions. These provide quick access to various filming options, from defocus level to microphone direction settings.
Key controls and features include:
- MENU button: Accesses the main menu for in-depth settings
- Fn (function) button: Quick access to frequently used settings
- C (custom) buttons: Customizable for your preferred functions
- DISP (Display Setting) button: Toggles on-screen information
- Control wheel: Navigates menus and adjusts settings
- Touch panel: Enables touch operations throughout the interface
Sony ZV-E1 Video Quality
The camera can make 4K video at up to 120 fps when upgraded through Sony’s Creators’ Cloud to access the 120 fps option. The 4K video quality is excellent along with the sharp and detailed footage in controlled lighting conditions. The camera also performs extremely well in low light by maintaining minimal noise and preserving detail in the shadows.
The ZV-E1 offers various video stabilization settings:
- Standard mode: Uses in-body image stabilization
- Active mode: Applies a 1.12x crop and combines digital stabilization with sensor-shift stabilization
- Dynamic Active mode: Applies a 1.45x crop and uses digital stabilization alongside sensor-shift stabilization
For 1080p video recording, the ZV-E1 has its internal recording capability. You can capture 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally without a recording time limit, and overheating is less likely at this resolution.
The ZV-E1 supports various video formats and modes, including:
- XAVC HS 4K (H.265 codec)
- XAVC S 4K and HD (H.264 codec)
- XAVC S-I 4K and HD (Intra-frame compression)
These formats offer different compression efficiencies and editing flexibility. The XAVC S-I format, using Intra compression, is particularly suitable for editing, while Long GOP compression in other formats provides better compression efficiency.
The ZV-E1 also introduces new features:
- Product Showcase Mode: Shifts focus to objects held in front of the camera
- Multiple-Face Recognition: Adjusts aperture to bring multiple faces into focus
- Focus Breathing Compensation: Ensures smooth, clean transitions between focus points
Vlogging-Specific Features For Content Creators and YouTubers
The Sony Alpha ZV-E1 is a high-end vlog camera loaded with great features specifically for vloggers and content creators.
The Framing Stabilizer technology automatically keeps your subject’s position constant in the frame when you’re walking alongside them. It combines advanced AI-based subject recognition with the camera’s Dynamic Active Mode image stabilization keeps your subject in frame even during handheld shooting while you’re on the move.
The Cinematic Vlog Mode is another noteworthy addition. This feature replicates a wider aspect ratio by adding black bars at the top and bottom of the frame, instantly giving your footage a more cinematic look. It automatically sets the camera to 24 frames per second, aligning with the “cinematic standard.” To further enhance your creative options, this mode offers preconfigured creative looks including S-Cinetone, Clean, Chic, Fresh, and Mono. These preset options allow you to instantly transform your footage’s dynamics, contrast, and saturation.
For product reviewers, the Product Showcase Mode is a game-changer. When you hold up items in front of you, the camera will shift focus to them instead of staying locked on your face, as it would in normal Face-Tracking mode. This feature ensures your audience gets a clear view of the products you’re shooting.
If you’re after that sought-after blurred background effect, you’ll appreciate the one-button Background Defocus Mode. With a single press, the camera expertly adjusts settings to achieve the desired visual blur, adding depth to your shots.
The ZV-E1 also introduces Multiple-Face Recognition. In auto modes, this feature adjusts the aperture to bring multiple faces into focus instead of choosing just one. This is particularly useful for interviews or group vlogs.
By automating certain aspects of videography, the ZV-E1 helps to create professional-looking vlogs.
Autofocus
The advanced AI-enabled autofocus technology is the best ever. This camera employs a hybrid phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus system. The ZV-E1 boasts impressive speed, performance, and accuracy across various environments and scenarios. It tracks fast-moving objects and subjects along with handling tricky lighting conditions.
Subject Detection Modes
- Human pose estimation: Recognizes various body parts and accurately detects eyes, even when partially obscured.
- Animal/Bird detection: You can choose to focus on either or set it to ‘auto’ for both.
- Insect detection
- Car/Train detection
- Airplane detection
For each mode, you can fine-tune settings. For instance, in animal/bird mode, you can prioritize focusing on the eye, head, or body.
Performance and Customization
The autofocus tracking performs quite well as it maintains focus on moving subjects even in busy scenes and with unpredictable movements. You have numerous settings to customize the AF performance:
- Tracking sensitivity
- Transition speed
- ‘Locked-on’ setting for subjects moving out of the focus area
The camera offers a touch tracking feature to select subjects by tapping the screen.
Audio Recording and Features
The camera’s built-in microphone records quite clearly. You have the flexibility to attach an external microphone manufactured by Sony. The ZV-E1 comes with a wind screen that reduces wind noise. To use it, simply attach the wind screen to the multi-interface shoe on top of the camera. Suppose you still notice wind noise after attaching the wind screen. In that case, you can further mitigate it by navigating to MENU → (Shooting) → Audio Recording → Wind Noise Reduct. and setting it to On.
The ZV-E1 offers adjustable microphone directivity through the function menu. Depending on your recording environment, you can set the direction of sound pickup to Auto, Front, All Directions, or Rear. This feature allows you to optimize audio capture based on your specific shooting scenario. To fine-tune your audio, you can adjust the recording volume by selecting MENU → (Shooting) → Audio Recording → Audio Rec Level.
Battery Performance
The Sony ZV-E1 camera is powered by the NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery, which has a capacity of 2280mAh. This battery comes included with the camera when purchased new. You can leave the NP-FZ100 battery inside the ZV-E1 and connect it to a power source via USB-C. This takes approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes to fully charge a battery. Sony recommends using a USB-PD device compatible with an output of 9V/3A or 9V/2A for optimal charging.
You can make around 570 still images on a single charge, based on CIPA standards. For video recording, the battery life varies depending on your shooting mode:
- Actual movie shooting: Approximately 95 minutes
- Continuous movie shooting: Approximately 140 minutes
Connectivity and Sharing Features
The camera supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. To get started, you’ll need to pair your camera with your smartphone using the Creators’ App. Once paired, you can transfer images directly from the camera to your phone. Here’s how to do it:
- Display the image you want to transfer on the camera’s playback screen.
- Go to MENU → (Network) → [Cnct./PC Remote] → [Select on Cam & Send] → [Send] → [This Image].
- Launch the Creators’ App on your smartphone.
- Select [OK] on your phone when prompted.
The ZV-E1 has several options to customize your image transfers:
- Size of Sending Image: Choose between original size or 2M-equivalent JPEG/HEIF files.
- RAW+J/H Send Target: Select which file type to transfer when shooting in RAW & JPEG or RAW & HEIF formats.
- Sending Target: Decide whether to transfer proxy movies or original high-bit-rate files.
For vloggers, the ZV-E1 introduces an exciting feature of 4K 30fps streaming over USB-C. The camera also offers a unique Movie with Shot Mark feature to cut and transfer specific sections of a movie based on Shot Marks you’ve set during recording or playback. You can choose to transfer 15, 30, or 60-second clips centered around these marks.
To enhance your connectivity options further, the ZV-E1 supports:
- Wired LAN (USB-LAN)
- USB-LAN/Tethering
- Bluetooth Remote Control
