Sony Announces the ZV-E1 – a New Vlog-Centric Video Camera

Sony has just announced the ZV-E1 full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens vlogging camera that’s designed specifically for video content creators looking to capture themselves within their vlog-centric content.

The ZV-E1 is the latest camera in their ZV vlog camera lineup and utilizes a full-frame 12 mp image sensor with a new BIONZ XR image processor and dedicated AI processing unit.

Image Credit – SONY

“The ZV-E1 has been designed to deliver a premium content creation tool for video creators who want to elevate their content,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “with more sophisticated video features, a streamlined user experience and an extremely compact design, the ZV-E1 offers a whole new way for today’s creators to create top-level video content.”

After listening to content creators looking for more production value in their camera rigs, Sony has upgraded the latest ZV camera with eight times more processing power for more accurate color reproduction, low noise, and high sensitivity in low light.

The camera is capable of capturing 4K video in 10-bit 4:2:2 color with full pixel readout and minimum rolling shutter.

The unit also enjoys over 15+ stops of dynamic range, providing natural-looking images in low light without clipping in extreme light or shadows, and offering more detail in the process.

The standard ISO range is 80 to 102400 which can be expanded to up to 409600 for both stills and video, with stills going down to 40 at the low end, and video at 80.

Image Credit – SONY

The ZV-E1 also has a custom Cinematic Vlog Setting, which gives selfie-style image framing a more cinematic look of feature films, with special settings for look, mood, and autofocus transition speeds.

Users can set a Cinemascope style aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and can set their frame rate to the traditional 24 frames per second for that solid movie style.

The ZV-E1 also features S-Cinetone color science which is based on Sony’s professional-grade Cinema Line technology for capturing natural skin tones and mid-range colors.

There are also Creative Look presets which can be customized on the fly with the touch of a button.

Sony also includes the My Image Style setting, which enables adjustment of background bokeh, brightness, and color tone settings in the camera, rather than taking time to dial it in in post.

Image Credit – SONY

Image Credit – SONY

Moreover, the AI processing unit offers multiple face recognition, auto framing, image stabilization, and even auto microphone directional settings when shooting selfie-style videos that can be difficult to frame when shooting as a one-man crew.

The facial recognition can track multiple faces and automatically adjusts the bokeh and focus so that every subject within the frame is in focus without losing the depth of field with the background or dealing with focus breathing as the camera decides which range to set or which subject to keep in focus.

The ZV-E1 also has a special Bokeh Switch, for one tough background enhancement that can work with Sony’s Dynamic active mode to keep the subject position in frame and constant.

This makes it ideal for switching focus smoothly from subject to subject, for interviews, product reviews, and other content where the focus needs to adjust as the camera angle switches from one subject to another.

Users can also activate real-time AI-based tracking for video when recording interviews, performances, and other content which does not allow for manual adjustments while shooting.

The ZV-E1 can also use AI Auto Framing to crop the frame to a desired level, and keep the subject in a prominent frame, continually adjusting it for the optimum position, even when the camera is locked down on a tripod.

Image Credit – SONY

The camera also enjoys a compact 5-axis in-body stabilization design with gyro sensors and algorithms that offer up to 5.0 steps of image stabilization.

The camera also has a 3-inch side wide opening 1.07 million dot articulating LCD touchscreen, high capacity Z battery, and fast charging USB PD port.

There is also an optional handle that can double as a tripod and has camera control functions including a record button,  Zoom control, and other features.

Pricing and Availability

The new Sony ZV-E1 will be available in May 2023 for a preorder retail price of $2,199 (USD) body only and comes in either black or white colors.

There is also a ZV-E1 kit that includes a compact 28-60mm F4.5-5.6 e mount zoom lens for $2,499.

[source: Sony]

Order links:

  • Sony ZV-E1 Mirrorless Camera (B&H)
  • Sony ZV-E1 Mirrorless Camera with 28-60mm Lens (B&H)

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