Sony has announced the ZV-E1, their latest 35mm interchangeable-lens camera targeted towards Vloggers and creators.
The ZV-E1 will be available from early April 2023, with pre-sales beginning on March 30th. It will cost around $2,198 US / £2,349 / €2,699 body only, and around $2,498 / £2,599 / €2,999 with the 28-60mm F4-5.6 zoom lens.
The ZV-E1 utilizes the same 12MP sensor as the popular a7S III and FX3 cameras providing it with very strong video foundations.
This sensor allows users to shoot 4K 60p without cropping, this will be upgradable up to 4K 120p through Sony’s Creators Cloud. A free license must be downloaded from Sony’s camera upgrade website and installed in the camera. This is expected to be released in June 2023 or later. Visit the following URL for details: https://creatorscloud.sony.net/cameraupgrade/4k120p/.
The camera has a ‘dedicated AI processing chip’ that has already made an appearance in the a7R V, helping the camera to be more effective at running machine-learning-derived algorithms.
One such AI feature of the ZV-E1 is the AI-based Auto Framing for video. Using AI-based subject recognition technology, the Auto Framing feature automatically crops the frame to keep the subject in a prominent position when shooting video.
Key Features
- 12MP full-frame CMOS sensor with no mechanical shutter
- UHD 4K video at up to 60p without crop
- Full HD (1080) footage at up to 120p
- 4K/120p and 1080/240 will be added later (a paid upgrade in some regions)
- 5-axis image stabilization
- UVC 4K/30p video stream when plugged in as USB device
- Unlimited 4K/30p, 30 minutes 4K/60p (at 25°C)
- Single UHS-II SD slot
- Micro HDMI slot
- 483g including battery
Early Reviews
Here’s a collection of early reviews worth a watch.
DPReview
Gerald Undone
Jason Vong
Tony & Chelsea
Gordon Laing
Comparison with FX3 and A7S III
| Sony ZV-E1 | Sony FX3 | Sony a7S III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2300 US | $3899 US | $3499 US |
| Sensor | 12MP BSI CMOS | 12MP BSI CMOS | 12MP BSI CMOS |
| IBIS rating | 5.0EV | 5.5EV | 5.5EV |
| Mech. shutter? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | No | No | 9.44M dots 0.9x magnification |
| Max video res/rate | 4K/60 1080/120 (4K/120, 1080/240 via f/w) | 4K/120 1080/240 | 4K/120 1080/240 |
| Recording time, (8-bit, 25°C, therm. limit high) | 4K/60 – 30 min 1080/60 – 90 min | 4K/60 – 90 min 1080/60 – 120 min | 4K/60 – 90 min 1080/60 – 120 min |
| Built-in fan | No | Yes | No |
| Raw video out? | No | Yes | Yes |
| XLR audio inputs? | Optional | Yes | Optional |
| Dials | Rear shoulder Rear face | Front Rear shoulder Rear face | Front Rear shoulder Rear face |
| Media | Single UHS-II SD slot | Twin UHS-II / CFe Type A slots | Twin UHS-II / CFe Type A slots |
| HDMI port | Type D (Micro) | Type A (Full) | Type A (Full) |
| Dimensions | 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.7 x 2.8 x 2.1″) | 130 x 78 x 85mm (5.1 x 3.1 x 3.3″) | 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1 x 3.8 x 3.2″) |
| Weight | 483g (17oz) | 1015g (35.8 oz) w/XLR handle 715g (25.2 oz) without | 699g (24.7 oz) |
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