Sony Releases ZV-E1 – A Compact Mirrorless Camera Designed for Vloggers
Geared towards vloggers, content creators and videographers, the Sony ZV-E1 is a compact mirrorless camera with a ton of features like an incorporated AI processing unit, 15+ stops of latitude, internal 4K recording at 60p in 4:2:2 10-bit all-intra, and the same 12MP full-frame back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R sensor used in the a7s III.
Weighing 483g/1,06lbs, measuring only 121mm wide and 72mm high, the Sony ZV-E1 is extremely compact and easy to fit into any camera bag, making it ideal for solo video shooters and videographers always on the go. The standard ISO range goes from 80 to 102400 for both video-recording and photos.
According to Sony, the camera has 15+ stops of latitude, which should give camera operators the same low light capabilities and dynamic range as the A7s III. The ZV-E1 is an E-Mount full-frame camera, with a Vari-angle touchscreen LCD in the back. It comes with a 3.5mm audio input, headphone jack, SDHC/SDXC card slot, USB-C port for charging, and a micro HDMI output (which unfortunately does not support RAW output).
The Sony ZV-E1 has a dedicated AI (Artificial Intelligence) processing unit uses AI human recognition. According to Sony, this enables (for example) the camera to lock and track subjects even when they're not facing the camera. Besides humans and animals, the AI processing unit can also recognize things/objects such as trains, cars, airplanes, birds, insects, as well as multiple face recognition.
Other Artificial Intelligence video features include the AI based Auto Framing mode, which crops the frame to the camera operator’s desired level and keeps subjects in a prominent position. Framing Stabilizer keeps the subject in the center of the frame while using dynamic active mode image stabilization, ideal for when video shooters needs to follow and track a subject while walking/moving. Dynamic active mode is said to deliver up to 30% more stabilization efficacy than active mode. Sony also claims the ZV-E1 can achieve up to 5.0-step stabilization with its built-in 5-axis image stabilization (IBIS).
Some other key features included in the ZV-E1 are Focus-breathing compensation, Extended ISO 80-409,600, in camera Time-Lapse, the classic S-Log 3/S-Cinetone including four different looks (Clean, Fresh, Chic, and Mono), and product showcase mode, which as opposed to face detection allows YouTubers, videographers and video content creators to focus priority on items held close to the camera instead of the presenter’s face.
All in all, the Sony ZV-E1 seems to be a great option not only for vloggers and videographers, but also smaller camera crews who need to be more flexible and mobile on their video production shoots. The camera is packed with tons of other features we didn’t mention in this article, you can read much more about the camera and its shooting capabilities directly at Sony’s website here.
The Sony ZV-E1 is available for pre-order and will cost $2,199.99 body only. There is also a kit option (body + 20-60mm zoom lens) for $2,499.99.
