The vlogging world has just been revolutionized! Sony has just announced its latest and most powerful vlogging camera yet, the ZV-E1. This full-frame, 12-megapixel beast is designed specifically with vloggers in mind, offering incredible low-light performance, 4K recording at up to 120 fps, and groundbreaking AI features like auto-framing. And the best part? It’s priced at a cool $2,200, making it a more affordable alternative to the $3,500 A7S III, while still providing many of its top-of-the-line features.
Now, let’s dive into the juicy specs. The ZV-E1’s full-frame sensor allows for beautifully blurred backgrounds, making your subjects pop even more than with cameras using smaller APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensors. It also offers 4K video recording at 24/30/60/120 fps with no binning in all modes, and easy-to-edit All-I modes with data rates up to 600Mbps.
Sony claims that the 12-megapixel BSI sensor, with its ISO range up to 409,600 (expanded), delivers the best high ISO performance in the Alpha series. This means you can now shoot in almost complete darkness, opening up a world of creative possibilities.
The ZV-E1 is a pioneer in Sony’s full-frame camera lineup, with a vlogging-style body that makes it significantly lighter and more compact than its counterparts. Despite its smaller size, it still uses the same Z-batteries as larger Sony models, allowing you to capture up to 570 shots or record 4K 60p video for 95 minutes (though, be aware that 4K 60p is temperature-limited to approximately 30 minutes).
While an electronic viewfinder is notably absent, the ZV-E1 compensates with its fully articulating touchscreen display, making self-shooting and high/low angle framing a breeze. The menu system, borrowed from the A7R V, is also relatively user-friendly.
The ZV-E1 introduces some exciting features not found in other Sony cameras, including 5-axis in-body stabilization and an “Active” optical mode for enhanced shake reduction while walking. The “Dynamic Active” mode offers even more smoothing for rapid movements, albeit with some extra cropping.
But wait, there’s more! The ZV-E1’s AI-based auto framing mode is a game-changer for solo creators. Using subject recognition tech, the camera automatically crops the frame to keep the subject in a prominent position, even when mounted on a tripod. This camera also features multiple face recognition, a bokeh switch, a product showcase button, and several subject recognition modes.
On the audio front, the ZV-E1 is equipped with a built-in 3-capsule mic that adjusts directionality based on the situation. If you prefer to use your own mic, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack and a digital audio interface on the hotshoe. Other features include UVC/UAC webcam capability, a single SD UHS-II card slot, a microHDMI output, and USB-C. Oh, and it’s a pretty decent photo camera too, shooting 12-megapixel RAW photos at up to 10fps!
Pre-order for the ZV-E1 begins tomorrow, with shipping set to start in early April. So, if you’re a vlogger looking to up your game, the ZV-E1 might just be the camera you’ve been waiting for! Keep an eye out for a full review coming soon.
Written by Robert D