ZV-E1

Sony's cutting-edge technologies answer the demands of vloggers for uncompromising image expression. The CMOS Exmor R™ full-frame sensor delivers wide latitude, low noise, gorgeous full-frame bokeh, and high sensitivity. And with up to 8x more processing power⁰, the latest BIONZ XR™ performs extremely fast real-time image processing and supports 4K 60p, 120p-upgradable¹ recording, with improvements in gradation rendering, colour reproduction and low-noise imaging.

Because it features Sony’s E-mount, the ZV-E1 can be used with all E-mount lenses including the superlative G Master series with stunning resolution and world-class bokeh. A choice of focal lengths ranging from 12 mm to 1200 mm⁰ gives users comprehensive creative control.

The colours and textures of human skin and foliage are rendered consistently, even in challenging lighting conditions. Improved gradation rendering produces better skin tones and highlight roll-off in portraits, while the Soft Skin Effect smoothes out small wrinkles and blemishes and adds clarity around the eyes and mouth. When you want to emphasise your main subject, a press of the Bokeh Switch creates impressive full-frame bokeh in the background.

Cinematic Vlog Setting⁰ provides an intuitive way to create scenes that look like feature movies. By choosing a Look, Mood¹ and AF transition speed, anyone can create cinematic vlog footage that ideally matches the scene and creative intent. The Cinematic Vlog Setting includes "Look" options such as S-Cinetone that can enhance skin tones, "Mood" options that can emphasise specific colours, and the AF transition speed that determines how quickly autofocus will switch between subjects. The overall cinematic feel is further enhanced by the use of a 24 fps² frame rate and the widescreen Cinemascope aspect ratio (2.35:1)³ with black bands above and below the image.

A high-precision stabilisation unit and gyro sensors built into the camera, plus optimised image stabilisation algorithms, allow advanced electronic stabilisation to work in conjunction with the camera’s 5-axis optical in-body image stabilisation system in a new Dynamic active Mode. The Dynamic active Mode is approximately 30% more effective than the Active Mode⁰ provided in previous models. This makes it easier than ever to shoot smooth, stable vlog footage while moving around for bold, dynamic expression.

The Framing Stabilizer⁰ feature automatically keeps the subject's position in the frame constant, which can be particularly useful when walking alongside the subject. Advanced AI-based subject recognition technology works with the camera's Dynamic active Mode¹ image stabilisation to reliably keep the subject in the frame during handheld shooting.

Using AI-based subject recognition technology, the Auto Framing feature automatically crops the frame to keep the subject in a prominent position when shooting movies. The framing is continually adjusted so that the recorded footage looks like the subject was being followed by an experienced camera operator, even though the camera is mounted on a tripod. In addition to the camera automatically recognising a subject and initialising tracking, any other subject can be selected for tracking by touching it on the camera’s monitor or the Creators' App on a smartphone.

With its innovative AI processing unit, the ZV-E1 can accurately recognise a subject to focus on. In addition to people, animals and birds, the AI unit now makes it possible to recognise insects, cars, trains, and airplanes⁰ as subjects. With Real-time Tracking, the recognised subject can be tracked in real time at high speed.

The ZV-E1's AI-based Real-time Tracking will leave you free to concentrate on framing and composition. Subject recognition performance has improved greatly, offering higher tracking reliability from the moment the function is initiated and making it more useful in a wider range of shooting situations⁰. Even people wearing helmets or masks, or animals facing away from the camera, can be accurately detected and tracked in real time¹.

The ZV-E1 includes a Breathing Compensation⁰ function that minimises focus breathing – changes in angle of view caused by changes in the lens's focus – that can occur when focusing while recording movies. Sony's original Clear Image Zoom technology is used to automatically maintain a consistent angle of view when focusing, making it possible to achieve smooth, dramatic focusing effects.

The Product Showcase Setting makes it easy to shoot product review videos. The camera will smoothly switch focus from your face to a product held in front of the lens and then back to your face when the product is moved away. Product Showcase Setting can be turned on or off simply by pressing the dedicated button provided.

With this feature the camera will automatically adjust bokeh and focus on multiple recognised faces in group shots, so you don't have to worry that only people in the foreground are in focus while the faces of people in the back are out of focus. No manual aperture adjustment is required, so you can go with the flow of the moment to capture natural expressions.

The zoom lever located on top of the grip not only controls compatible powered zoom lenses, but also allows Clear Image Zoom to be used with unpowered zoom and prime lenses with less image degradation. Real-time Recognition AF, Real-time Tracking, and focus area settings remain active while zooming digitally or with Clear Image Zoom, ensuring that the full precision and speed of the camera’s phase-detection AF system is realised even during digital zoom operations.⁰

For astonishing slow motion, S&Q modes⁰ record every detail using bit rates up to 600 Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit, XAVC S-I 60p)¹, or up to 240 fps capture (Full HD)² for 10x slower playback. S&Q modes let you capture fresh new perspectives on dynamic sport and other action.

The ZV-E1 features a high-performance 3-capsule microphone with variable directivity that is capable of picking up clear audio in outdoor situations where wind and environmental noise can be a problem. The microphone is designed to clearly capture the voice of your main subject, and depending on your shoot you can set the microphone's directivity to Front, Rear, All Directions or Auto⁰.

The ZV-E1 can record 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally when using Long GOP or All Intra compression, making it possible to grade for fuller, more natural gradations while providing greater editing freedom.

S-Log3 offers enhanced reproduction of shadow to mid-tone (18% grey) gradations. Colour spaces include S-Gamut3, with even better colour reproduction than S-Gamut, and S-Gamut3.Cine, a colour space that has been designed to provide a look similar to scanned cinema film. The combination of S-Gamut3.Cine, which has a slightly wider colour gamut than DCI-P3 digital cinema, and S-Log3 allows easier colour grading for the DCI-P3 or 709 video colour space.

Custom user LUT files (.cube format) can be imported into the camera and assigned to Picture Profiles. This makes it easy to use LUTs to create specific looks when shooting in modes other than preset looks. The look is recorded in-camera, so colour correction in post processing can be minimised or eliminated altogether.

Flexible ISO is an S-Log3 shooting mode that allows ISO sensitivity to change according to the brightness of the scene, while aperture and shutter speed are set manually. ISO can be set to AUTO or manually set between 640 and 102400 (160 and 409600 in expanded ISO mode) as required for optimum exposure.

The ZV-E1 is the world's most compact, lightweight vlog camera with a full-frame CMOS sensor and lens interchangeability⁰. Its small size and light weight make it ideal for handheld shooting as well as for gimbal and drone mounting, for extraordinary mobility that gives vloggers new capabilities for creative expression.

The side-opening vari-angle LCD screen and the positioning of major controls have been designed for convenient shooting of selfies and vlogs. The LCD screen makes it easy to check framing while shooting from just about any angle, while the REC button, Still/Movie/S&Q selector, custom buttons and other controls on the camera's top panel are laid out for easy access and operation.

Swiping the left or right edge of the monitor display reveals touch function icons at the top that control the shooting mode, Cinematic Vlog Setting, and more. Additionally, the function (Fn) menu can be displayed by swiping up on the monitor. Other refinements include exposure compensation and white balance touch-control icons that have been added to the existing F-stop, shutter speed, and ISO icons at the bottom of the monitor display⁰.

The ZV-E1 provides quick access to frequently used items such as frame rate, shutter speed and other essential shooting parameters via a list-style main menu. Display of this menu can be assigned to a custom button so that parameters can be quickly checked and edited prior to shooting. Separate main menus optimised for movies and stills are available.

Sealing is provided around all buttons and dials, while all body seams incorporate a tongue-and-groove structure for double protection. Effective sealing throughout the body contributes to outstanding resistance to dust and moisture in challenging outdoor conditions⁰.

The ZV-E1 uses Sony’s high-capacity Z battery. For even better power performance the image processing engine, image sensor, and related circuitry have been designed to optimise power economy under all shooting conditions.

Shoot with confidence while the ZV-E1 backs you up with a range of helpful features. These include a recording lamp on the front of the camera, so you can clearly see when recording is in progress. There is also a self-timer for movie shooting⁰, with a countdown indicator prominently displayed in the centre of the screen, making it easier to record only required footage.

You can boost your vlog's sound with an optional external microphone, attached easily to the ZV-E1's microphone jack. And smooth, one-handed operation is yours with the optional GP-VPT2BT Shooting Grip with Wireless Remote Commander. The grip features easily accessible zoom and still/movie shooting controls, and it can also be used as a tripod.

Connection stability when transferring images from the camera to the Creators’ App⁰ on a smartphone has been greatly improved, as transfers continue in the background even if the smartphone display sleeps or a different app is launched¹. Workflow from shooting to sharing has been notably improved overall.

The ZV-E1 makes it possible to do live streaming at 4K 30p, with UVC/UAC support. Connected to a personal computer or smartphone⁰ via USB, the camera can function as a 4K (2160p) webcam. Add a new dimension to online meetings, live events or even simple conversations with family and friends, as you take advantage of features like narrow depth of field, optical zoom, the Intelligent 3 Capsule Microphone, Face Priority AE and Eye AF.

The outer packaging of the ZV-E1 employs Sony’s "Original Blend Material" consisting of bamboo, sugar cane, and recycled paper. It contains no plastics. This special material produces recyclable packaging of high quality and durability that has low environmental impact.

No non-recyclable resources are used in our repeatedly recyclable, durable, high quality SORPLAS™ material¹. SORPLAS and other recyclable materials are used in camera bodies as much as possible¹, reducing stress on the environment without compromising performance or functionality in any way. 

The ZV-E1 offers in-camera 4K recording at up to 120 frames per second. Extraordinarily smooth 5x (max.) slow-motion imagery⁰ at QFHD resolution with autofocus provides new expressive capability. When using the XAVC S format, up to 10x slow motion with Full HD resolution is possible at 240 fps (24p recording)¹, providing fresh perspectives on dynamic sports and other types of action.