Earlier this year, Sony announced the ZV-E1 4K camera, essentially an A7SIII in a more compact, vlog-centric form factor. One thing that content creators were clamoring for, was the ability to capture 4K video at higher frame rates. Now with a new camera update, users get their wish.
As a bit of a reminder, the Sony ZV-E1 has the same basic circuitry as both the A7SIII and the Sony FX 3. With a compact, mirrorless form factor the ZV-E1 has an E-mount interchangeable lens mount and a flip-out, articulating LCD touchscreen.
The camera captures 10-bit 4:2:2 4K video with full pixel readout through the camera’s 12 MP full-frame image sensor and BIONZ XR Image processor.
Image Credit – SONY
The new camera update unlocks the ZV-E1’s hidden menu feature to access what Sony refers to as “Slow motion/QuickMotion mode” to capture high frame rates of up to 120 fps, and 1080p HD at up to 240 fps. The 4K/120 fps frame rate can be enabled using the Long GOP interframe compression option in menu settings.
From the installation notes, it seems that the ZV-E1 has had the capability to capture high frame rate all along, and it was only now that Sony has chosen to enable the feature through a special license. The free upgrade license has no expiration date and can be used on up to 10 cameras.
Users are instructed to download the necessary license information directly from Sony’s Creators Cloud website, where users are directed to sign in to download it.
Image Credit – SONY
There is also an option to download the license without signing in, but Sony indicates that by signing into a Sony user account, the camera’s serial number will then be linked to the account. What benefit that may offer is anyone’s guess.
To download, users have to enter the serial number of the ZV-E1, which unlocks the license download link. Once downloaded, users copy the RQ_LC.DAT file onto a memory card and then follow instructions on the camera to install it through the Setup Menu.
To verify installation, go to MENU, Setup, Setup Options, and then “Manage Licenses” to verify the installation has been successful.
More detailed instructions can be found on the license download page.
[source: Sony]
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