Sony has just introduced the latest update to their vlogging-focused camera line with ZV-E10 III spent about two weeks testing and shooting with this camera and got some great first impressions.
The ZV-E10 II is the latest APS-C member of Sony’s ZV series of vlogging and content creation cameras. Borrowing from its larger cousins the a6700 and FX-30, the ZV-E10 II brings us powerful features like oversampled 4K video, S-Log 3 and S-Cinetone color profiles, a larger NP-FZ100 battery, and 10-bit 4:2:2 color.
This camera is equipped with the latest and greatest software features found in high-end Alpha cameras, but in an extremely lightweight and travel-friendly form factor.
One of the first things I noticed when I unboxed the ZV-E10 II was how surprisingly light it is. Its compact form factor made it an easy BTS camera to carry around when I went to an MLS soccer game I covered with the Seattle Sounders last month. It mounted on my monopod, allowing me to quickly capture compelling shots without the need for a heavy tripod.
Notable Features: ZV-E10 II
Let’s take a look at some of the new features that the ZV-E10 II introduces. There are some things we’ve seen in previous Alpha and ZV cameras, but there are also some revolutionary new features that we’ve never seen before.
- Vertically Rotating User Interface (First time on any Alpha or ZV camera)
- 26MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, back-illuminated APSC
- 5.6K oversampled 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 All-Intra video
- Battery NP-FZ100
- S-Cinetone, S-Log3 and S-Gamut3.Cine color profiles
- Focus on compensating your breathing
- UVC/UAC support for 4K/30p USB streaming
- Weighs only 377 grams (including battery and memory card)
- Digital audio interface via Multi Interface (MI) dock
- Adjustable touchscreen with touch tracking and touch-based menu control
- Cinematic Vlog Mode
- Product display mode
- Background Defocus Mode
- 10 Creative Look modes for photos and videos
- S&Q mode for slow motion and time lapse video in camera
- Advanced 3-capsule intelligent directional microphone
- Real-time AF recognition with 759 phase detection points
- Face/Eye-AF for people, animals and birds
The ZV-E10 II includes some familiar features we’ve seen before, and one brand new feature never seen before on any Alpha or ZV camera: an all-new vertically rotating user interface.
I’m excited to see this interface update implemented into the ZV-E10 II, especially since this was part of the ZV-specific feedback I shared with the Sony engineering team when I was in San Francisco for the a6700 launch last year. I’m glad to see Sony actively implementing the feedback we shared about issues we as creators want addressed.
What features do you hope Sony will change or implement? Leave a comment below if you have any feedback on future Sony ZV and Alpha software updates.
Notable Features: E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II
I am really impressed with the update Sony E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS LensThe Mark II version features Sony’s latest autofocus motor, updated optical components, a sleek new interface, and more.
The image quality is fantastic for such a small lens, and I really enjoyed shooting with it at the Sounders game. The lens had no issues focusing in low light, and the 16-50mm zoom range really allowed me to get a lot of good compositions throughout the game. It’s incredibly light and compact, even keeping up with the blazing fast 120fps continuous shooting speed of my full-frame flagship a9 III.
In my opinion, being able to buy this updated lens at an affordable price as a kit with the ZV-E10 II is a must for vloggers and content creators. It’s great for everyday photography and video and a perfect travel companion, offering a full-frame equivalent focal range of 24-70.
Here are some of the new updated features of the new E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II lens:
- Track autofocus while zooming
- Breath compensation
- Active image stabilization
- Weighs only 107 grams
- Supports high-speed continuous still image capture and 120fps video recording
- High resolution and excellent contrast from center to corner
- Improved close focusing performance
- Advanced linear focus motor
Conclusion
Even though I only had a short time with the ZV-E10 II and E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II lenses, I was impressed with the latest updates.
It’s great to see my engineering advice to Sony engineers implemented into the ZV-E10 II’s vertically rotating UI, and I really hope Sony adopts it for all future Alpha and ZV cameras.
The ZV-E10 II is a powerful yet compact camera that packs in many of the features we love from the high-end Alpha and ZV cameras. It’s a great update that content creators and vloggers will love, especially if size, weight, price, and travel-friendliness are top priorities.
I personally love me ZV-E1 so much so that my a7S III had to be retired for this reason. The combination of small size and powerful features was too attractive to ignore.
The ZV-E10 II now offers the same combination of size and power that I liked in my ZV-E1, with all the latest features and upgrades. The only thing that could make it even better is the inclusion of IBIS. Hopefully we’ll see the IBIS system from the a6700 and FX-30 make its way to the ZV-E10 III in the future. That would be the highlight of another surprisingly small but powerful camera system from Sony.
What features would you like the ZV-E10 II to have? Leave a comment below and let’s continue the conversation!
