Sony Unveils the ZV-E10, a 4K APS-C Mirrorless Camera Aimed at Vloggers
Sony has announced the ZV-E10, the first Alpha-series APS-C camera that targets vloggers. With a larger sensor and the ability to swap lenses, Sony believes this camera steps up what the ZV-1 started.
While the ZV-1 was largely based on the RX100 pocket cameras, this new ZV-E10 takes many aspects of the Alpha 6100 and reconfigures them to primarily support video creation. Among the modifications are a swing-out screen to self-monitor from in front of the lens, the removal of the electronic viewfinder to make the camera even more lightweight and compact, a directional three-capsule microphone for good audio pickup without adding an external microphone, and a one-touch mode button that replaces the dial to switch from stills for video.
“With the introduction of Sony’s first interchangeable lens vlog camera, the ZV-E10, we are excited to meet the growing needs of today’s creators,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “The new ZV-E10 pairs the versatility and excellent image quality of a large-sensor interchangeable lens camera with user-friendly features that are specifically designed for vlogging, making it an ideal tool for video creators looking to transition to a more advanced setup.”
At its core, the ZV-E10 features the same 24.2-megapixel APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor used in the a6100 and BIONZ X image processing engine to produce high-quality imagery with high sensitivity, detailed texture depiction, and beautiful natural bokeh. The camera does not have sensor-shift image stabilization, but it does have digital stabilization for video by way of a small crop. The lens mount accepts any of Sony’s 50-plus E-mount lenses, not to mention countless third-party offerings. Additionally, the ZV-E10 includes the acclaimed vlogging-specific features favored in the popular ZV-1 digital camera including “Background Defocus” that can smoothly switch between a blurred (bokeh) and sharp background, as well as the “Product Showcase Setting” mode that allows the camera to automatically shift focus from the subject’s face to an object being highlighted.
The ZV-E10 can record video up to 4K 30p and also do slow motion in camera in 1080p up to 120 frames per second. Both of these do a maximum bitrate of 100 Mbps. There’s also Real-time Eye AF, face detection, and touch tracking while recording video. On the stills side, there’s subject recognition for humans and animals. The camera supports HDR video by way of HLG capture and Sony’s S-Log 3 gamma profile. Together with this announcement, Sony will host their second Sony Vlog Challenge Contest that encourages entrants to create a vlog that highlights something that they are the most passionate and enthusiastic about. The entry period is July 27 – September 27, 2021, and is open to video creators in the U.S. (excl. terr.) and Canada (excl. Quebec).
Users can also live stream directly through a computer or smartphone, and the camera can act as a webcam.
There’s a large movie record button on top of the ZV-E10 as well as a button to quickly toggle between still, movie, and S&Q (slow and quick) modes. A front tally lamp and a red frame marker on the screen make it easy to see when recording is in progress. Dedicated microphone and headphone jacks are included for audio recording and monitoring when shooting video. Sony claims the camera can record up to 125 minutes of video or capture a CIPA-rated 440 images on a single charge. It can also be powered through its USB-C port for continuous use.
The new mirrorless camera uses the Sony NP-FW50 battery and takes a single UHS-I SD memory card through the battery door. Connectivity options include also a USB-C port for file transfer and charging, and a micro HDMI port out.
The Sony ZV-E10 will be available in either black or white and be priced at $700 for the body only. There is a kit option available that comes with the Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens that will cost $800.
More info on Sony’s website.
