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The Sony ZV-1 was designed from scratch for content creators, not for classic photographers. While mirrorless cameras require a lot of technical knowledge and big, chunky accessories, the ZV-1 focuses on ease of use, quick setup, great video quality, and good autofocus, which will be especially appealing for YouTubers, vloggers, streamers, educators, and podcasters who are solo creators.

Why the Sony ZV-1 Matters in 2026

Even years after release, the Sony ZV-1 remains among the top recommended compact cameras simply because it really cuts a fine line between professional-grade imaging and creator-friendly automation. In this review, we’ll go over what the Sony ZV-1 does well, where it falters, and who should- and shouldn’t- buy it.

Build Quality & Design: Compact, Creator-Centric & Travel-Friendly

The camera body of the Sony ZV-1 is lightweight and compact at a mere 294 grams. This is easily portable in a small bag pocket or even the pocket of a jacket. Despite being compact and lightweight, the Sony ZV-1’s body appears quite rugged, featuring a matte finish that resists fingerprints and reflections.

Important Design Elements:

• Mobile design is very well-suited for YouTubers and travel videography
• Functional with one hand for solo entrepreneurs
• “Record button for video content”: Recording videos just got easier
• “Mode Dial” for easy switching between still image and video recording
• MI Shoe (Multi-Interface Shoe) – for microphone or accessory attachment

It is not fully weather-sealed. However, in terms of functionality and handling, it is quite good.

Sensor & Image Quality: Sensor Size: 1-Inch Sensor Still Has the Capability

In the Sony ZV-1, there is a 20.1 MP stacked back-illuminated 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor along with the BIONZ X image processor.

Why This Sensor Matters:

• Considerably larger than smartphone cameras
  Sensors
• Improved night visioncapabilities
• More natural background blur (bokeh)
• Better dynamic range in highlights and shadows

Image Quality in Real-World Use:

• The images are clear and colorful.
• Skin colors appear natural, particularly in faces
• Superb contrast without oversharpening

RAW support allows professional editing flexibility. The quality of this camera’s images is remarkably better compared to that of smartphones, especially in indoor and night lighting conditions.

Lens Performance: ZEISS 24–70mm f/1.8–2.8

Of course, one of the most significant selling points for the ZV-1 is its fixed lens: the ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T*.

Lens Advantages:

• 24mm wide-angle: Perfect for vlogging and group shots
• 70mm zoom: Perfect for product shots, portraits
• Fast aperture (f/1.8–2.8): Great for low light and bokeh
• Sharp optical quality across the range

While you cannot change lenses, Sony deliberately chose this focal range because it will cover most creators’ needs.

Limitation:
The lens is not well-suited for wildlife or sports work, given the limited zoom range.

Autofocus: Industry-Leading, Even by Today’s Standards

Sony’s Fast Hybrid Autofocus system features:

• 315 phase-detection points
• 425 contrast detection points
• Real-time Eye AF (Human)
• Real-Time AF Tracking

Why Autofocus Matters for Creators:

• Keeps face Sharp while moving.
• Works well when walking or while vlogging.
• Locks eyes for photos and videos
• Seldom hunts or loses focus

This is one of the major reasons creators trust cameras manufactured by Sony, thanks to their autofocus system.

Video Performance: 4K HDR Made Simple

The Sony ZV-1 records:

• 4K UHD (3840×2160) video

• Full pixel readout without pixel binning
• 4K @ up to 30fps
• HLG forInstant HDR Streaming
• S-Log2 & S-Log3: Professional color grading

Video Quality Highlights:

• Outstanding sharpness without artificial appearance
• Smooth color transitions
• Good highlight retention
• Excellent performance in indoor lighting

Limitations to Know:

• No 4K 60
• 11.06 – Rolling Shutter effect in fast pans
• Overheating may happen during long 4K recordings (although unlikely)

FLIP Screen & Touch Display: For Self-Shooting

“The presence of a 3-inch side flip-out LCD screen is quite a boon to creators.”

Screen Features:

• Articulating fully (side flip)
• Moves up and down
• There is a Touch autofocus
• Brightness: Bright enough for outdoor applications:
• 921,600-dot resolution

This screen design supports the following functionalities:

• Easy framing for self-portraits

• No interference with microphones

• Comfortable tripod or handheld operation

Audio Quality: One of the Best in a Compact Camera

Video cameras do not always include audio support—until now.

Built-In Audio Features:

• Forward-directional built-in microphone
• Including a detachable windscreen
• 3.5mm Micro
• MI Shoe for digital microphones

Real-World Audio Performance:

• Clear voice capture indoors
• Wind noise was reduced significantly outdoors
• Great for the price and MUCH better than smartphone audio
• Great for novice content creators who do not have external microphones.

Special Creator Features: What Makes the ZV-1 Unique

1. Background Defocus Button

Instantly switches between:

• Sharp background (f/5.6)
• Blurred background (f/1.8)

Very useful for anyone new to camera aperture.

2. Product Showcase Mode

• Automatically switches attention from face to object
• Great for product reviews or unboxing videos!
• No need to block your face

3. Face-Priority Auto Exposure

• Keeps Faces Properly Exposed
• Prevents overly exposed or dark skin tones
• Highly beneficial for solo entrepreneurs

Image Stabilization: Hybrid Stabilization Explained

The Sony ZV-1 uses Hybrid Image Stabilization:

• Optical stabilization

• Electronic stabilization (Active Mode)

Stabilization Performance:

• Smooth handheld shots while walking

• Reduced micro-jitters

• Not gimbal-level, but usable

For serious walking vlogs, a small gimbal is still recommended.

Webcam & Live Streaming Capabilities

The ZV-1 works as a plug-and-play webcam via USB.

Webcam Benefits:

• No capture card needed

• Works with Zoom, OBS, Teams

• Superior quality vs webcams

• Excellent autofocus during calls

This makes it ideal for:

• Online teaching

• Live streaming

• Podcasts

• Business meetings

Battery Life & Storage

Battery:

• Approx. 260 shots

• Around 45–60 minutes of 4K video

• USB charging supported

Storage:

• SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I)

• One memory card slot

Tip: Carry spare batteries for long shoots.

Who Should Buy the Sony ZV-1?

Ideal For:

• YouTubers

• Vloggers

• Instagram & short-form creators

• Online educators

• Product reviewers

• Beginners who want professional quality

Not Ideal For:

• Sports & wildlife photographers

• Cinematic filmmakers need interchangeable lenses

• Users needing 4K 60fps

Pros & Cons Summary

Pros:

• Excellent autofocus

• Compact and lightweight

• High-quality 4K video

• Great built-in audio

• Creator-focused features

• Reliable skin tone reproduction

Cons:

• No interchangeable lenses

• Limited battery life

• No 4K 60fps

• Can heat up during long 4K sessions

Is the Sony ZV-1 Worth Buying?

The Sony ZV-1 remains one of the best compact cameras ever made for content creators. It is not about specs alone—it’s about how effortlessly it helps you create better content.

If you want:

• Better quality than a smartphone

• Minimal learning curve

• Reliable autofocus

• Excellent video and audio

Then the Sony ZV-1 is still a smart, practical, and trustworthy choice.

FAQs

Is the Sony ZV-1 good for beginners?

Yes. It is one of the most beginner-friendly creator cameras available.

Can the Sony ZV-1 replace a smartphone?

Yes, especially for video quality, autofocus, and audio.

Does the Sony ZV-1 support external microphones?

Yes, via 3.5mm jack and MI shoe.

Is the Sony ZV-1 good for live streaming?

Yes, it works as a high-quality webcam.

Is it still worth buying in 2026?

Yes, especially for creators who value simplicity and reliability.

The Alpha ZV-E10 is Sony’s newest addition to its lineup of mirrorless cameras. At $799.99 with Sony’s 16-50 lens ($699.99 for just the body), it is the company’s second attempt at making a vlogging-oriented camera and the successor to last year’s ZV-1. It adds a headphone jack, more battery life, a larger sensor, and most importantly, an interchangeable lens design.

You can think of it as a video-centric version of Sony’s more photography-oriented A6100. The A6100 and the ZV-E10 share the same 24mp APS-C sensor, but the lack of a viewfinder and the addition of a fully articulating screen makes the ZV-E10 better suited for filming yourself. And with the new flexibility of being able to swap lenses, this camera is a welcomed upgrade to the ZV-1 that allows novices to dip their toes in more advanced systems.

Much like the ZV-1, the ZV-E10 does not have an electronic viewfinder (EVF), and although the three-inch articulating screen is plenty bright, even in direct sunlight, using an EVF feels far more immersive when taking both photos and videos for me. However, in a vlogging-first camera, I can understand why an EVF would be first on the list of features to cut. This camera is designed to be able to film oneself, first and foremost, with ease.

There is also no built-in ND filter. Built-in ND filters are one of the few features of cinema cameras that I continually miss when using DSLR and mirrorless systems. There is nothing convenient about having to screw and unscrew pieces of glass onto lenses when filming on location, and it’s infuriating that the ZV-E10’s predecessor, the ZV-1, had this feature, but this camera does not. The upside is that the E10 has an interchangeable E-mount lens system, and I already own ND filters for all of my E-mount lenses.

The other drawback to this camera’s hardware is the lack of in-body optical stabilization. Instead, the ZV-E10 uses electronic stabilization that isn’t very effective in steadying handheld footage. A gimbal will be needed to get smooth shots.

Basic dash cam tips:

• Use a suitable SD card: Let make sure it’s the largest the camera lorem will handle and store lorem all your dashcam footage. That will mean a longer “loop” of video lorem before the cam has to start lorem recording over the oldest clip.
• Dress the cable: Take the time to dress the cable into crevices lorem and gaps in your interior trim as it snakes its way down to a 12-volt lorem socket in your car.
• Keep the windscreen and wipers dirt-free: The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing.
• Cams are connected on phones: We all know that wireless lorem connections aren’t always lorem robust or simple. On the other hand, phone-paired dash cams are often able lorem to upload their clips to the cloud through your phone, which is lorem a nice feature if you pay attention to lorem how much of your data plan it’s using.

---

Sony The ZV-E10:

The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing. This is the same sensor that Sony has been using in its A6000 lineup for a long time, and while it’s good for a quick capture, a faster, more expensive lens will be needed for low-light situations. 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light.

---

Sony The ZV-E11:

With the ZV-E11, Sony recycled parts from its RX100 line to better fit vloggers. This included a fully articulating screen, a larger handgrip, tally lights, a new mic array, and a hot shoe for accessories. The ZV-E10 follows a similar path, but this time, it borrows parts from the Alpha line and remixes them for vlogging use.

---

Sony The ZV-E12:

The ZV-E12 can record at up to 4k 30fps, with a crop, or 4k 24fps, without a crop. I was most eager to test the SteadyShot electronic stabilization. And since I was using the 16-50mm kit lens, I also had the more effective, “active” stabilization that uses optical stabilization built into the lens but, unfortunately, crops more of the image.

Dash cam FAQs

The freedom to swap lenses on a camera can be a scary dive into unknown, expensive territory, but it also gives this camera more flexibility over time. A new or different lens is an easy way to add value to any camera system. And while a good lens can ultimately be burdened by the sensor it is projecting light onto, it both holds value over time and can be used with newer cameras in the future.

For a vlogger looking to take the next step in image quality and creative control over what a phone can provide, the ZV-E10 is easy to use and beginner-friendly while providing easy ways to step up your game. Its low light capabilities could be better, but its $800 price tag makes it a great camera to learn from without taking the full leap into more expensive, harder-to-use systems.

The Alpha ZV-E10 is Sony’s newest addition to its lineup of mirrorless cameras. At $799.99 with Sony’s 16-50 lens ($699.99 for just the body), it is the company’s second attempt at making a vlogging-oriented camera and the successor to last year’s ZV-1. It adds a headphone jack, more battery life, a larger sensor, and most importantly, an interchangeable lens design.

You can think of it as a video-centric version of Sony’s more photography-oriented A6100. The A6100 and the ZV-E10 share the same 24mp APS-C sensor, but the lack of a viewfinder and the addition of a fully articulating screen makes the ZV-E10 better suited for filming yourself. And with the new flexibility of being able to swap lenses, this camera is a welcomed upgrade to the ZV-1 that allows novices to dip their toes in more advanced systems.

Much like the ZV-1, the ZV-E10 does not have an electronic viewfinder (EVF), and although the three-inch articulating screen is plenty bright, even in direct sunlight, using an EVF feels far more immersive when taking both photos and videos for me. However, in a vlogging-first camera, I can understand why an EVF would be first on the list of features to cut. This camera is designed to be able to film oneself, first and foremost, with ease.

There is also no built-in ND filter. Built-in ND filters are one of the few features of cinema cameras that I continually miss when using DSLR and mirrorless systems. There is nothing convenient about having to screw and unscrew pieces of glass onto lenses when filming on location, and it’s infuriating that the ZV-E10’s predecessor, the ZV-1, had this feature, but this camera does not. The upside is that the E10 has an interchangeable E-mount lens system, and I already own ND filters for all of my E-mount lenses.

The other drawback to this camera’s hardware is the lack of in-body optical stabilization. Instead, the ZV-E10 uses electronic stabilization that isn’t very effective in steadying handheld footage. A gimbal will be needed to get smooth shots.

Basic dash cam tips:

• Use a suitable SD card: Let make sure it’s the largest the camera lorem will handle and store lorem all your dashcam footage. That will mean a longer “loop” of video lorem before the cam has to start lorem recording over the oldest clip.
• Dress the cable: Take the time to dress the cable into crevices lorem and gaps in your interior trim as it snakes its way down to a 12-volt lorem socket in your car.
• Keep the windscreen and wipers dirt-free: The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing.
• Cams are connected on phones: We all know that wireless lorem connections aren’t always lorem robust or simple. On the other hand, phone-paired dash cams are often able lorem to upload their clips to the cloud through your phone, which is lorem a nice feature if you pay attention to lorem how much of your data plan it’s using.

---

Sony The ZV-E10:

The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing. This is the same sensor that Sony has been using in its A6000 lineup for a long time, and while it’s good for a quick capture, a faster, more expensive lens will be needed for low-light situations. 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light.

---

Sony The ZV-E11:

With the ZV-E11, Sony recycled parts from its RX100 line to better fit vloggers. This included a fully articulating screen, a larger handgrip, tally lights, a new mic array, and a hot shoe for accessories. The ZV-E10 follows a similar path, but this time, it borrows parts from the Alpha line and remixes them for vlogging use.

---

Sony The ZV-E12:

The ZV-E12 can record at up to 4k 30fps, with a crop, or 4k 24fps, without a crop. I was most eager to test the SteadyShot electronic stabilization. And since I was using the 16-50mm kit lens, I also had the more effective, “active” stabilization that uses optical stabilization built into the lens but, unfortunately, crops more of the image.

Dash cam FAQs

The freedom to swap lenses on a camera can be a scary dive into unknown, expensive territory, but it also gives this camera more flexibility over time. A new or different lens is an easy way to add value to any camera system. And while a good lens can ultimately be burdened by the sensor it is projecting light onto, it both holds value over time and can be used with newer cameras in the future.

For a vlogger looking to take the next step in image quality and creative control over what a phone can provide, the ZV-E10 is easy to use and beginner-friendly while providing easy ways to step up your game. Its low light capabilities could be better, but its $800 price tag makes it a great camera to learn from without taking the full leap into more expensive, harder-to-use systems.

The Alpha ZV-E10 is Sony’s newest addition to its lineup of mirrorless cameras. At $799.99 with Sony’s 16-50 lens ($699.99 for just the body), it is the company’s second attempt at making a vlogging-oriented camera and the successor to last year’s ZV-1. It adds a headphone jack, more battery life, a larger sensor, and most importantly, an interchangeable lens design.

You can think of it as a video-centric version of Sony’s more photography-oriented A6100. The A6100 and the ZV-E10 share the same 24mp APS-C sensor, but the lack of a viewfinder and the addition of a fully articulating screen makes the ZV-E10 better suited for filming yourself. And with the new flexibility of being able to swap lenses, this camera is a welcomed upgrade to the ZV-1 that allows novices to dip their toes in more advanced systems.

Much like the ZV-1, the ZV-E10 does not have an electronic viewfinder (EVF), and although the three-inch articulating screen is plenty bright, even in direct sunlight, using an EVF feels far more immersive when taking both photos and videos for me. However, in a vlogging-first camera, I can understand why an EVF would be first on the list of features to cut. This camera is designed to be able to film oneself, first and foremost, with ease.

There is also no built-in ND filter. Built-in ND filters are one of the few features of cinema cameras that I continually miss when using DSLR and mirrorless systems. There is nothing convenient about having to screw and unscrew pieces of glass onto lenses when filming on location, and it’s infuriating that the ZV-E10’s predecessor, the ZV-1, had this feature, but this camera does not. The upside is that the E10 has an interchangeable E-mount lens system, and I already own ND filters for all of my E-mount lenses.

The other drawback to this camera’s hardware is the lack of in-body optical stabilization. Instead, the ZV-E10 uses electronic stabilization that isn’t very effective in steadying handheld footage. A gimbal will be needed to get smooth shots.

Basic dash cam tips:

• Use a suitable SD card: Let make sure it’s the largest the camera lorem will handle and store lorem all your dashcam footage. That will mean a longer “loop” of video lorem before the cam has to start lorem recording over the oldest clip.
• Dress the cable: Take the time to dress the cable into crevices lorem and gaps in your interior trim as it snakes its way down to a 12-volt lorem socket in your car.
• Keep the windscreen and wipers dirt-free: The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing.
• Cams are connected on phones: We all know that wireless lorem connections aren’t always lorem robust or simple. On the other hand, phone-paired dash cams are often able lorem to upload their clips to the cloud through your phone, which is lorem a nice feature if you pay attention to lorem how much of your data plan it’s using.

---

Sony The ZV-E10:

The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing. This is the same sensor that Sony has been using in its A6000 lineup for a long time, and while it’s good for a quick capture, a faster, more expensive lens will be needed for low-light situations. 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light.

---

Sony The ZV-E11:

With the ZV-E11, Sony recycled parts from its RX100 line to better fit vloggers. This included a fully articulating screen, a larger handgrip, tally lights, a new mic array, and a hot shoe for accessories. The ZV-E10 follows a similar path, but this time, it borrows parts from the Alpha line and remixes them for vlogging use.

---

Sony The ZV-E12:

The ZV-E12 can record at up to 4k 30fps, with a crop, or 4k 24fps, without a crop. I was most eager to test the SteadyShot electronic stabilization. And since I was using the 16-50mm kit lens, I also had the more effective, “active” stabilization that uses optical stabilization built into the lens but, unfortunately, crops more of the image.

Dash cam FAQs

The freedom to swap lenses on a camera can be a scary dive into unknown, expensive territory, but it also gives this camera more flexibility over time. A new or different lens is an easy way to add value to any camera system. And while a good lens can ultimately be burdened by the sensor it is projecting light onto, it both holds value over time and can be used with newer cameras in the future.

For a vlogger looking to take the next step in image quality and creative control over what a phone can provide, the ZV-E10 is easy to use and beginner-friendly while providing easy ways to step up your game. Its low light capabilities could be better, but its $800 price tag makes it a great camera to learn from without taking the full leap into more expensive, harder-to-use systems.

The Alpha ZV-E10 is Sony’s newest addition to its lineup of mirrorless cameras. At $799.99 with Sony’s 16-50 lens ($699.99 for just the body), it is the company’s second attempt at making a vlogging-oriented camera and the successor to last year’s ZV-1. It adds a headphone jack, more battery life, a larger sensor, and most importantly, an interchangeable lens design.

You can think of it as a video-centric version of Sony’s more photography-oriented A6100. The A6100 and the ZV-E10 share the same 24mp APS-C sensor, but the lack of a viewfinder and the addition of a fully articulating screen makes the ZV-E10 better suited for filming yourself. And with the new flexibility of being able to swap lenses, this camera is a welcomed upgrade to the ZV-1 that allows novices to dip their toes in more advanced systems.

Much like the ZV-1, the ZV-E10 does not have an electronic viewfinder (EVF), and although the three-inch articulating screen is plenty bright, even in direct sunlight, using an EVF feels far more immersive when taking both photos and videos for me. However, in a vlogging-first camera, I can understand why an EVF would be first on the list of features to cut. This camera is designed to be able to film oneself, first and foremost, with ease.

There is also no built-in ND filter. Built-in ND filters are one of the few features of cinema cameras that I continually miss when using DSLR and mirrorless systems. There is nothing convenient about having to screw and unscrew pieces of glass onto lenses when filming on location, and it’s infuriating that the ZV-E10’s predecessor, the ZV-1, had this feature, but this camera does not. The upside is that the E10 has an interchangeable E-mount lens system, and I already own ND filters for all of my E-mount lenses.

The other drawback to this camera’s hardware is the lack of in-body optical stabilization. Instead, the ZV-E10 uses electronic stabilization that isn’t very effective in steadying handheld footage. A gimbal will be needed to get smooth shots.

Basic dash cam tips:

• Use a suitable SD card: Let make sure it’s the largest the camera lorem will handle and store lorem all your dashcam footage. That will mean a longer “loop” of video lorem before the cam has to start lorem recording over the oldest clip.
• Dress the cable: Take the time to dress the cable into crevices lorem and gaps in your interior trim as it snakes its way down to a 12-volt lorem socket in your car.
• Keep the windscreen and wipers dirt-free: The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing.
• Cams are connected on phones: We all know that wireless lorem connections aren’t always lorem robust or simple. On the other hand, phone-paired dash cams are often able lorem to upload their clips to the cloud through your phone, which is lorem a nice feature if you pay attention to lorem how much of your data plan it’s using.

---

Sony The ZV-E10:

The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing. This is the same sensor that Sony has been using in its A6000 lineup for a long time, and while it’s good for a quick capture, a faster, more expensive lens will be needed for low-light situations. 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light.

---

Sony The ZV-E11:

With the ZV-E11, Sony recycled parts from its RX100 line to better fit vloggers. This included a fully articulating screen, a larger handgrip, tally lights, a new mic array, and a hot shoe for accessories. The ZV-E10 follows a similar path, but this time, it borrows parts from the Alpha line and remixes them for vlogging use.

---

Sony The ZV-E12:

The ZV-E12 can record at up to 4k 30fps, with a crop, or 4k 24fps, without a crop. I was most eager to test the SteadyShot electronic stabilization. And since I was using the 16-50mm kit lens, I also had the more effective, “active” stabilization that uses optical stabilization built into the lens but, unfortunately, crops more of the image.

Dash cam FAQs

The freedom to swap lenses on a camera can be a scary dive into unknown, expensive territory, but it also gives this camera more flexibility over time. A new or different lens is an easy way to add value to any camera system. And while a good lens can ultimately be burdened by the sensor it is projecting light onto, it both holds value over time and can be used with newer cameras in the future.

For a vlogger looking to take the next step in image quality and creative control over what a phone can provide, the ZV-E10 is easy to use and beginner-friendly while providing easy ways to step up your game. Its low light capabilities could be better, but its $800 price tag makes it a great camera to learn from without taking the full leap into more expensive, harder-to-use systems.

The Alpha ZV-E10 is Sony’s newest addition to its lineup of mirrorless cameras. At $799.99 with Sony’s 16-50 lens ($699.99 for just the body), it is the company’s second attempt at making a vlogging-oriented camera and the successor to last year’s ZV-1. It adds a headphone jack, more battery life, a larger sensor, and most importantly, an interchangeable lens design.

You can think of it as a video-centric version of Sony’s more photography-oriented A6100. The A6100 and the ZV-E10 share the same 24mp APS-C sensor, but the lack of a viewfinder and the addition of a fully articulating screen makes the ZV-E10 better suited for filming yourself. And with the new flexibility of being able to swap lenses, this camera is a welcomed upgrade to the ZV-1 that allows novices to dip their toes in more advanced systems.

Much like the ZV-1, the ZV-E10 does not have an electronic viewfinder (EVF), and although the three-inch articulating screen is plenty bright, even in direct sunlight, using an EVF feels far more immersive when taking both photos and videos for me. However, in a vlogging-first camera, I can understand why an EVF would be first on the list of features to cut. This camera is designed to be able to film oneself, first and foremost, with ease.

There is also no built-in ND filter. Built-in ND filters are one of the few features of cinema cameras that I continually miss when using DSLR and mirrorless systems. There is nothing convenient about having to screw and unscrew pieces of glass onto lenses when filming on location, and it’s infuriating that the ZV-E10’s predecessor, the ZV-1, had this feature, but this camera does not. The upside is that the E10 has an interchangeable E-mount lens system, and I already own ND filters for all of my E-mount lenses.

The other drawback to this camera’s hardware is the lack of in-body optical stabilization. Instead, the ZV-E10 uses electronic stabilization that isn’t very effective in steadying handheld footage. A gimbal will be needed to get smooth shots.

Basic dash cam tips:

• Use a suitable SD card: Let make sure it’s the largest the camera lorem will handle and store lorem all your dashcam footage. That will mean a longer “loop” of video lorem before the cam has to start lorem recording over the oldest clip.
• Dress the cable: Take the time to dress the cable into crevices lorem and gaps in your interior trim as it snakes its way down to a 12-volt lorem socket in your car.
• Keep the windscreen and wipers dirt-free: The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing.
• Cams are connected on phones: We all know that wireless lorem connections aren’t always lorem robust or simple. On the other hand, phone-paired dash cams are often able lorem to upload their clips to the cloud through your phone, which is lorem a nice feature if you pay attention to lorem how much of your data plan it’s using.

---

Sony The ZV-E10:

The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing. This is the same sensor that Sony has been using in its A6000 lineup for a long time, and while it’s good for a quick capture, a faster, more expensive lens will be needed for low-light situations. 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light.

---

Sony The ZV-E11:

With the ZV-E11, Sony recycled parts from its RX100 line to better fit vloggers. This included a fully articulating screen, a larger handgrip, tally lights, a new mic array, and a hot shoe for accessories. The ZV-E10 follows a similar path, but this time, it borrows parts from the Alpha line and remixes them for vlogging use.

---

Sony The ZV-E12:

The ZV-E12 can record at up to 4k 30fps, with a crop, or 4k 24fps, without a crop. I was most eager to test the SteadyShot electronic stabilization. And since I was using the 16-50mm kit lens, I also had the more effective, “active” stabilization that uses optical stabilization built into the lens but, unfortunately, crops more of the image.

Dash cam FAQs

The freedom to swap lenses on a camera can be a scary dive into unknown, expensive territory, but it also gives this camera more flexibility over time. A new or different lens is an easy way to add value to any camera system. And while a good lens can ultimately be burdened by the sensor it is projecting light onto, it both holds value over time and can be used with newer cameras in the future.

For a vlogger looking to take the next step in image quality and creative control over what a phone can provide, the ZV-E10 is easy to use and beginner-friendly while providing easy ways to step up your game. Its low light capabilities could be better, but its $800 price tag makes it a great camera to learn from without taking the full leap into more expensive, harder-to-use systems.

The Alpha ZV-E10 is Sony’s newest addition to its lineup of mirrorless cameras. At $799.99 with Sony’s 16-50 lens ($699.99 for just the body), it is the company’s second attempt at making a vlogging-oriented camera and the successor to last year’s ZV-1. It adds a headphone jack, more battery life, a larger sensor, and most importantly, an interchangeable lens design.

You can think of it as a video-centric version of Sony’s more photography-oriented A6100. The A6100 and the ZV-E10 share the same 24mp APS-C sensor, but the lack of a viewfinder and the addition of a fully articulating screen makes the ZV-E10 better suited for filming yourself. And with the new flexibility of being able to swap lenses, this camera is a welcomed upgrade to the ZV-1 that allows novices to dip their toes in more advanced systems.

Much like the ZV-1, the ZV-E10 does not have an electronic viewfinder (EVF), and although the three-inch articulating screen is plenty bright, even in direct sunlight, using an EVF feels far more immersive when taking both photos and videos for me. However, in a vlogging-first camera, I can understand why an EVF would be first on the list of features to cut. This camera is designed to be able to film oneself, first and foremost, with ease.

There is also no built-in ND filter. Built-in ND filters are one of the few features of cinema cameras that I continually miss when using DSLR and mirrorless systems. There is nothing convenient about having to screw and unscrew pieces of glass onto lenses when filming on location, and it’s infuriating that the ZV-E10’s predecessor, the ZV-1, had this feature, but this camera does not. The upside is that the E10 has an interchangeable E-mount lens system, and I already own ND filters for all of my E-mount lenses.

The other drawback to this camera’s hardware is the lack of in-body optical stabilization. Instead, the ZV-E10 uses electronic stabilization that isn’t very effective in steadying handheld footage. A gimbal will be needed to get smooth shots.

Basic dash cam tips:

• Use a suitable SD card: Let make sure it’s the largest the camera lorem will handle and store lorem all your dashcam footage. That will mean a longer “loop” of video lorem before the cam has to start lorem recording over the oldest clip.
• Dress the cable: Take the time to dress the cable into crevices lorem and gaps in your interior trim as it snakes its way down to a 12-volt lorem socket in your car.
• Keep the windscreen and wipers dirt-free: The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing.
• Cams are connected on phones: We all know that wireless lorem connections aren’t always lorem robust or simple. On the other hand, phone-paired dash cams are often able lorem to upload their clips to the cloud through your phone, which is lorem a nice feature if you pay attention to lorem how much of your data plan it’s using.

---

Sony The ZV-E10:

The ZV-E10 can take 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light. However, in lower light, and especially when pushed past 8000ISO (admittedly, that’s very high), photos take on a lot of grain and smoothing. This is the same sensor that Sony has been using in its A6000 lineup for a long time, and while it’s good for a quick capture, a faster, more expensive lens will be needed for low-light situations. 24.2-megapixel photos, and when paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the photos are crisp in good light.

---

Sony The ZV-E11:

With the ZV-E11, Sony recycled parts from its RX100 line to better fit vloggers. This included a fully articulating screen, a larger handgrip, tally lights, a new mic array, and a hot shoe for accessories. The ZV-E10 follows a similar path, but this time, it borrows parts from the Alpha line and remixes them for vlogging use.

---

Sony The ZV-E12:

The ZV-E12 can record at up to 4k 30fps, with a crop, or 4k 24fps, without a crop. I was most eager to test the SteadyShot electronic stabilization. And since I was using the 16-50mm kit lens, I also had the more effective, “active” stabilization that uses optical stabilization built into the lens but, unfortunately, crops more of the image.

Dash cam FAQs

The freedom to swap lenses on a camera can be a scary dive into unknown, expensive territory, but it also gives this camera more flexibility over time. A new or different lens is an easy way to add value to any camera system. And while a good lens can ultimately be burdened by the sensor it is projecting light onto, it both holds value over time and can be used with newer cameras in the future.

For a vlogger looking to take the next step in image quality and creative control over what a phone can provide, the ZV-E10 is easy to use and beginner-friendly while providing easy ways to step up your game. Its low light capabilities could be better, but its $800 price tag makes it a great camera to learn from without taking the full leap into more expensive, harder-to-use systems.