SonyZV-E1 | Mirrorless Replaceable Full Frame Lens to Vlog Camera (Compact and Lightweight, 4K60p, 12.1 Megapixel, 5-axis and Digital Stabilization System, Large Battery Capacity)

I was sent his camera to review and put it through its paces. I have used a friends Sony ZV-E10 before and was keen to see what improvements had been made since that was released.Pros:Compact and Lightweight: The ZV-E1 retains its compact and lightweight design, making it an ideal for on-the-go vlogging. It's perfect for capturing candid moments without lugging around heavy gear, which is a major plus if you’re capturing video for weddings in really random locations like I do.4K60p Video: One of the most significant improvements from the E10 I tried is the ability to shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second. This means smoother and detailed footage, which is brilliant for creating high-quality content – the results pre-edit are far superior to any other camera I have owned or borrowed.12.2 Megapixels Sensor: While the megapixel count hasn't changed from the ZV-E10, the sensor has been optimised to deliver better overall image quality, especially in low light conditions – this has held up well in the low light settings I have tested it out in.5-Axis and Digital Stabilisation: The combination of in-body 5-axis stabilization and advanced digital stabilisation is a great feature and basically means you can shoot handheld and still get great results.Improved Autofocus: The ZV-E1 features enhanced autofocus capabilities, which did a great job of tracking everything and keeping things in sharp focus. This is a definite improvement on the previous version I tried out.Vari-Angle Touchscreen: The touchscreen is perfectly designed for vloggers and videographers – it just makes everything easy to access and set up. It's a step up from the fixed screen on the ZV-E10 and I’m really happy this was included.Cons:Limited Lens Compatibility: Like its predecessor, the ZV-E1 only supports APS-C lenses. While this keeps the camera compact, it might limit your options if you're looking for specific lenses.Battery Life: While the battery life is decent, you might want to keep an extra battery handy for longer shooting sessions.No view finder: On very bright days outdoors this becomes a problem.Overall, the Sony ZV-E1 is a fantastic choice for vloggers, content creators and videographers looking for a compact and lightweight camera with impressive video capabilities and stabilisation. It has so many features it would be difficult to cover them all - while it shares similarities to previous releases, the upgrades in video quality, stabilisation, make this worth the upgrade, imo.

This Sony ZV-E1 is very similar to the FX3 but is for about half the price. It has the same processor and sensor as the A7S III & FX3 so produces and very similar image quality. The rolling shutter and dynamic range are both the same, while the 4K24 performance are about identical as well. It also the same Dual ISO’s. It does not however have EVF or Cine EI mode capabilities, and its log shooting is limited to Flexible ISO. It also does not have a mechanical shutter so is designed more for video than photos as it has fewer photo-centric functions. The main differences between this camera and the FX3 is the size, ports, and heat disbursement, as well as the fact that it only has one memory card slot. However, it does contain a 3.5mm headphone jack, the USB port supports charging and live streaming, and the HDMI port is a micro-Type-D.The microphone is directional which means it can be set to record from the front, sides or rear which is quite useful, as I’ve been able to avoid unwanted sounds with that feature along with the included dead cat to help against wind and outside noise. It also has an AI auto-mode which is omnidirectional and will change automatically to focus for the best sound. The AI chip in this ZV-E1 is the same as the A7R5, making the subject detection features very dynamic, while the autofocus is very similar as well. The stabilisation and the clear image zoom (digital zoom) have both been vastly improved, and the camera has been upgraded to track main points so to not lose focus while recording. The new dynamic active feature makes stabilisation even better however it does crop 30% of the view but is still some of the best in camera stabilisation I’ve seen in a Sony camera. I am very impressed by the improved stabilisation feature which allows the upgrade of lens by simply just attaching them to the camera and pressing zoom. The improved clear imagine zoom is also very impressive, as I can now zoom into things while recording, without losing my video focus and maintaining a clear and vivid focused detective tracking and stabilisation.The LCD screen does have some new features from the previous models including swipe from the side to bring up extra control buttons and you can control exposure and white balance using touch. This ZV-E1 is small but designed with a smooth finish and functions just as well, while also being an eco-friendly high-tech device. The FX-100 battery is great and works best in temperatures below 22 degree Celsius, as I experienced a bit of overheating when I used the ZV-E1 in Spain versus in the UK as it does not have the same thermal capabilities as the other model. I’d say the biggest difference I have noticed is the heat disbursement. Forgetting the chance of overheating, this is the smallest full frame camera that Sony currently makes, and it is perfect for VLOGing on the go, as it has a small portable hand-held design.Overall, there are too many features to list but this Sony ZV-E1 definitely one of the best cameras I’ve used lately, and it is an almost perfect VLOGing camera. The main thing I see that requires improvement is the heat dissipation over long use. When I use it for videos of about 20 to 30 mins, I have no issues at all, and have found that the main heating issues happen when using the camera for over 90mins in hot temperatures. It is a great camera at a very good price, and I would surely recommend.

This is an incredible camera but plagued with reliability problems. On my first camera the USB port and microphone port stopped working after a few months, I thought maybe I wasn't being gentle enough with it.On the second one (brand new), I was EXTREMELY careful, I used a small-rig battery with USB-C to avoid using the built in USB-C for charging, I used the microphone maybe 4-5 times and... it has failed after 4 months or so, nothing at all from the microphone ports or the USB-C port. Booked a repair with Sony :(Edit: Sony fixed it under warranty saying it was a loose ribbon cable, they said it’s not a common problem. Hopefully the repair will last.

I got this camera with the intention of using it as a point and shoot camera with the occasional video thrown in, but it is very advanced from the old camera we use at the moment.The camera is lightweight, with loads of features I probably won't know how to use, but I am really liking the dynamic stabilization so all videos are smooth to watch back without the jittery look to them.It has an AI chip installed for great vlogging as it keeps the person being filmed in shot and in focus, an improvement on most cameras.I haven't really tried all its functions as I am going through the manual slowly, but from what I have seen so far it is an amazing piece of kit which would really suit a serious vlogger.At £2,149.00 at the time of writing this review, it is a very expensive camera, which I think is a great buy for someone who has a good grasp of the way technology and cameras are evolving, with the world of vlogging and such.