The Sony ZV-E10 is a perfect vlogging camera. Its 24MP APS-C mirrorless interchangeable lens and an effective selfie screen with touch ability makes it perfect for capturing some amazing videos. Moreover, the features like 4K video capture, the headphone and microphone ports, and different accessories has made it the first choice of every vlogger. Dive into the blog to know more about the Sony ZV-E10.
Sony ZV-E10 Build
It’s so evident that the ZV- E10 is a Sony camera, especially when you poke the touchscreen to engage with the menus. The top of the camera possesses a Multi-Interface hot shoe mount that supports digital audio devices, with a grille that covers a three-capsule microphone.
There’s a toggle under the power switch to cycle across Video, Photo, and Sony’s S&Q (Slow and Quick) mode for time-lapses. Also, there’s a unique movie record button and a Bokeh Switch button (also works as C1). At the top, there is a shutter release button, a zoom toggle, and a wheel that controls aperture by default, and it’s operated by a thumb, a shutter release button, and a zoom toggle.
The back of the camera displays the effective screen, and to the right are Fn, menu, delete buttons, and playback. There is a rotating wheel that works as a four-way pad. The entire body of the camera is magnesium. At the right side of the buttons, there’s a soft-touch grip for the thumb to nuzzle into, and material wraps around the camera’s side to the front grip too.
If you carefully look at the ZV-E10s undercarriage, you’ll discover a spring-loaded door that covers the single SD card and battery slots, and there’s a tripod thread fitting. There’s a USB-C port, headphone jack, and micro-HDMI, and under one door, at the port-side of the camera, alongside a microphone port under a different flimsy flap.
The ZV-E10 weighs 393g, and it’s about 1.5cm thinner, having a depth of 44.8mm. Handling suits its purpose in shooting video for the most part, although the lightweight struggles to counterbalance heavier lenses sometimes.
The screen is incredible for vlogging and feels firm. The screen is protected if the screen isn’t facing outwards. For video shooters who aren’t vloggers, there’s a debate to be made for the typical tilting screen on other Sony cameras and the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro, as it makes for a less uncomfortable grip when holding the camera at a low, steadied angle. However, the ZV-E10’s excellent articulating screen is certainly more versatile.
For photography, the ZV-E10 doesn’t keep up with viewfinders cameras when it comes to ergonomics. Although, the great screen does the job, albeit in a simple way. With the similar 921k, 3-inch panel on the A6100, its aspect ratio is optimized for photos instead of video. The camera has a touch-to-focus and Sonys trademark eye and object tracking.
Sony ZV-E10 Video and Audio quality
When tested with different lenses, the Sony ZV E10 delivered some great shots with appealing depth, detail, and contrast in bright to dark scenes.
Image noise is adequately controlled throughout the sensitivity range on the ZV-E10, even if you go for high sensitivities like ISO 6400. If you’re shooting JPEGs, we’d suggest you change the camera’s High ISO NR (noise reduction) setting to low, as the ‘Normal’ setting can be slightly heavy-handed.
Video quality is incredible when holding the camera still, with footage from the ZV-E10 (shot with 8-bit color depth and 4:2:0 sub-sampling) offering lots of detail, while motion is pleasant and smooth. The audio quality is also fantastic. Adding the three-capsule microphone found on the Sony ZV-1, together with the bundled windshield, is acceptable for top-quality backup audio. But you can include some external audio, especially for the interview-type shoot.
Managing noise when shooting video isn’t good and isn’t up to the full-frame competition. For an APS-C sensor, it is at the right place, with usable footage at about ISO 6400 when downsampling from 4K to FullHD. If not, you’d be better off keeping footage at a max of about ISO 4000 based on our experience.
ZV-E10’s Amin problem is that it’s video-centric, so that the video features will be judged severely, unlike the A6100. Even as the photo-focus A6100 may get away with a fine trippy rolling shutter, it’s less excusable on the Zv-E10 camera. Its distortion is much worse than that of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera and comparable to Panasonic and Canon cameras at the same price.
If you’re a studio shooter or you’re planning to keep the camera on a tripod, then the ZV-E10 is good. For run-and-gun out-and-about videographers who are passionate about an aggressive pan every time, it could be a dealbreaker.
Sony ZV-E10 Performance
With the 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor, the Sony ZV-E10 brings back tried-and-true imaging hardware. Having a maximum ISO of 32,000 and a shutter speed as fast as 1/4000, there isn’t anything new about its imaging features.
Also, the camera offers three degrees of SteadyShot electronic stabilization: Active, Standard, and off. When connected with the Optical SteadyShot on most of the lenses we tested with the ZV-E10, hand-shake was adequately compensated for, and pans looked pleasant and smooth.
As the video is captured at 4K, it is shot with 6K oversampling, and this is made possible due to the sensor pixel count. Unfortunately, the Sony ZV-E10 4K footage caps out at 30fps, like other 4K cameras at this price range. But, Full HD video can be shot at100fps max, which can increase to 120p when shooting in Sonys S&Q mode.
The ZV-E10 can shoot in S-Log 2, 3, and HLG (hybrid log gamma) picture profiles. Go through the settings, and you’ll have lots of control over granular video controls, ranging from Zebra display settings to AF transition speed.
The ZV-E10 is powered by an NP-FW50 battery (1020mAh), and Sony stated that it can go for 80 minutes of continuous recording or 440 stills. During our test, we could get a few full-res stills but a little more Full HD video. However, our 4K tests aren’t up to what Sony stated. The camera can be charged through the USB-C port, so you can make do with power banks when shooting instead of buying spare batteries.
The major disadvantage of the ZV-E10 as regards daily use is its obsolete menu system. It would be better to support touch interaction; going through rigorous scrolling and button pressing to make a change in the setting is stressful, particularly when outdoors mid-shoot.
Sony ZV-E10 Ports and Connectivity
The ZV-E10 possesses mic and headphone jacks, USB-C and HDMI ports. With the USB, you can live stream and use the ZV-E10 as a webcam. The camera supports UVC/UAC standards, implying that it can transmit high-quality video and audio to a smartphone (Android 11 only, for now) or PC (Windows or macOS) without needing any special software or a video capture card. Also, the ZV1 is up to UVC/UAC standards due to a post-release firmware update.
Sony ZV-E10 Battery Life
The ZV-E10’s battery life is slightly better than the A6100 (80 minutes to 75 minutes of video) and better than the ZV1 (45 minutes). Well, these cameras provide less battery life than the A6600, which is 150 minutes because of the camera’s bigger battery. And bigger battery means an enormous camera body, so there’s a compromise there.
Concerning compatibility, the ZV-E10 works well with Sony’s Bluetooth grip, which provides control over different camera functions.
Conclusion
The ZV-E10 has a lot to offer vloggers. It shoots oversampled 4K/24p video using the sender’s full width, a tremendous built-in directional microphone, headphone and microphone ports, a selfie touchscreen, and top-notch video autofocus. Also, battery life is fantastic, and the camera is Livestream prepared.
Sad, 4K video capture results in a distracting ‘jello effect’ for footage with movement and fast action. And Full HD video displays poor detail capture compared to other cameras in this price range.
