10-bit 4:2:2 recording with direct pixel readout, Long GOP or All Intra formats The ZV-E1 can record 4K movies with direct pixel readout, 10-bit depth and 4:2:2 color sampling using Long GOP or All Intra compression, making it possible to grade for fuller, more natural gradations while generally providing greater editing freedom.
Create memorable imagery with ease with Cinematic Vlog Setting3 Cinematic Vlog Setting3 provides an intuitive way to create scenes that look like feature movies. By choosing a Look, Mood4 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 emphasize specific colors, and 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 fps5 frame rate and the widescreen Cinemascope aspect ratio (2.35:1)6 with black bands above and below the image.
Dedicated AI Processor and Real-time Recognition for accurate subject tracking With its innovative AI processing unit, the ZV-E1 uses subject form data to accurately recognize movement, providing an improvement of approx. 60% in human eye recognition7. Human pose estimation technology recognizes body and head position, so even people wearing helmets or masks, or animals facing away from the camera, can be accurately detected and tracked in real time8.
5-axis in-body image stabilization and Dynamic active mode for stable recording A compact, precision stabilization unit and gyro sensors plus optimized algorithms achieve up to 5.0-step9 anti-shake compensation. Newly developed Dynamic active Mode10 features advanced electronic stabilization working in conjunction with the camera’s 5-axis in-body image stabilization system to achieve approximately 30% more effective compensation than the Active Mode11 provided in previous models. This makes it easier than ever to shoot smooth, stable vlog footage while moving around for bold, dynamic expression.
Framing Stabilizer maintains a constant subject position within the frame. The Framing Stabilizer12 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 Mode10 image stabilization to reliably keep the subject in the frame even while in motion during handheld shooting.
Ai-based Auto Framing12 automatically adjusts the framing to highlight your subject 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. Even though the camera is stationary, framing is continually adjusted so that recorded footage looks as if the subject was being followed by an experienced operator. In addition to the camera automatically recognizing a subject and initializing tracking, any other subject can be selected for tracking by touching it on the camera’s monitor or the Creators' App on a smartphone.
Multiple Face Recognition13 automatically optimizes depth of field for selfies or groups AI based subject recognition determines the number of faces in the frame and automatically adjust focus and aperture when recording selfies or group portraits. This feature can continuously adjust aperture for the depth of field required to keep all faces in focus while minimizing depth of field if all faces are at the same distance – or only one face is in the frame. This ensures accurate focus and full use the camera’s artistic bokeh even when several people are entering or leaving a scene. No manual adjustment is required – the camera automatically and smoothly adjusts aperture as needed so the user can shoot in the flow of the moment to capture natural expressions.
Picture Profile with support for imported LUT files for monitoring and recording. Custom user LUT files (.cube format) can be imported into the camera and assigned to Picture Profiles. This makes it easy to use LUTs for monitoring while shooting and to create specific looks when shooting in modes other than preset looks. The look is recorded in-camera, so color correction in post processing can be minimized or eliminated altogether.
Intelligent 3 Capsule internal microphone with variable directivity 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. In Auto mode, [Front] or [All Directions] directivity is automatically selected according to the current subject recognition and tracking status14.
Compatible with all Sony E-mount lenses for comprehensive creativity Because it features Sony's E-mount system, the ZV-E1 can be used with all E-mount lenses, including the superlative G Master series with its stunning resolution and world-class bokeh. A choice of focal lengths ranging from 12 mm to 1200 mm2 gives users outstanding creative control.
Upgrade from 4K 60p to 4K 120p15 internal recording for up to 5x slow motion The ZV-E1 offers in-camera 4K recording at up to 120 frames per second15. Extraordinarily smooth 5x (max.) slow-motion imagery16 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)17, providing fresh perspectives on dynamic sports and other types of action.
Natural skin tones, Soft Skin Effect and background bokeh control The colors 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 smooths out small wrinkles and blemishes and adds clarity around the eyes and mouth. When you want to emphasize your main subject, a press of the Bokeh Switch creates impressive full-frame background defocus.
My Image Style18 directly recalls 4 key parameters to create expressive imagery. When shooting in the Intelligent Auto or Scene Selection mode, icons on the touch-sensitive monitor make it easy to directly adjust background bokeh, brightness, and color tone, as well as select a Creative Look. This provides an intuitive way to create expressive imagery without having to be familiar with technical details such as F stops, exposure compensation, or color temperature.
Product Showcase Setting19 focuses on highlighted items for product reviews. 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.
S-Gamut3.Cine/S-Log3 and S-Gamut3/S-Log3 advanced color science. S-Log3 offers enhanced reproduction of shadow to mid-tone (18% grey) gradations. Color spaces include S-Gamut3, with even better color reproduction than S-Gamut, and S-Gamut3.Cine, a color 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 color gamut than DCI-P3 digital cinema, and S-Log3 allows easier color grading for the DCI-P3 or 709 video color space.
Flexible ISO Log shooting mode for greater exposure setting freedom. 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.
Breathing Compensation20 function suppresses image shifts while focusing The ZV-E1 includes a Breathing Compensation20 function that minimizes 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 automatically maintains a consistent angle of view when focusing, making it possible to achieve smooth, dramatic focusing effects.
Metadata facilitates editing in Catalyst Browse The ZV-E1 records image stabilization and camera rotation metadata that can be useful when editing in the free Catalyst Browse desktop application, or the paid Catalyst Prepare desktop application or plugin21. In addition to stabilization based on data from the camera’s gyroscope and lens, lens breathing compensation can be applied during editing. Metadata is automatically added to the file being recorded when the ZV-E1 is rotated to 90°, 180°, or 270°, or its normal horizontal position. This metadata allows the recorded footage to be displayed with the corresponding rotation in Catalyst Browser/Prepare, eliminating the need to rotate the footage beforehand.
In-camera Time-lapse22 creation to capture unforgettable moments Time-lapse sequences can be created in-camera, showing the movements of people or cities in expressed, time-compressed form. The exposure interval can be set from 1 second to 60 seconds23, making it easy to compress slow action into enjoyable time-lapse sequences. When a compatible video light (sold separately) is attached to the camera, it can be set to turn on just before each exposure so that time-lapse sequences can be shot in low-light situations.
Creative, versatile zoom control by conveniently accessed zoom lever. 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 realized even during digital zoom operations.
Multi Interface (MI) shoe with digital audio interface for external microphones A digital audio interface is supported by the camera’s Multi Interface (MI) Shoe, directly transferring audio to the camera in digital form for high quality with minimal degradation. Like other MI shoe accessories, no cables or batteries are required, providing unrestrained freedom for vlogging and moviemaking.
Easy, stable smartphone connectivity Connection stability when transferring images from the camera to the Creators’ App24 on a smartphone has been greatly improved, as transfers continue in the background even if the smartphone display sleeps or a different app is launched25. Workflow from shooting to sharing has been notably improved overall.
High-quality live streaming The ZV-E1 makes it possible to live stream at up to 4K 30p, with UVC/UAC support. Connected to a personal computer or smartphone26 via USB, the camera can function as a 4K (2160p) webcam. Add a new dimension to online meetings, live events or even conversations with family and friends, taking advantage of features like narrow depth of field, optical zoom, Intelligent 3 Capsule Microphone, Face Priority AE and Eye AF.
Simplified, intuitive touch operations on LCD panel 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 display27.
Quick access to frequently used menu items 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 optimized for movies and stills are available.
Simple, convenient operation for stress-free shooting 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.
Convenient features for confident shooting Shoot with confidence while the ZV-E1 backs you up with a range of helpful features. These include a recording tally 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 shooting28, with a countdown indicator prominently displayed in the center of the screen, making it easier to record only required footage.
High-capacity Z series battery 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 optimize power economy under all shooting conditions.
Optional accessories to make the most of vlogging You can improve 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.
Dust and moisture resistant design29 for use in challenging conditions 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 conditions29.
The world’s smallest, lightest full-frame interchangeable lens vlog camera30 The ZV-E1 is the world's most compact, lightweight vlog camera with a full-frame CMOS sensor and lens interchangeablity30, making it ideal not only for handheld shooting, but also for gimbal or drone mounting. Its extraordinary mobility gives vloggers new capabilities for creative expression.
Creator’s Cloud Platform Creators' Cloud is a platform that supports creative work from shooting to production by combining advanced Sony camera technology with cloud-based AI. It's also a place for discovery and collaboration with other creators around the world. Explore web, mobile, and PC-based apps providing efficient solutions that integrate cameras with shooting and production apps and services.
Accessibility features that facilitate operation The ZV-E1 includes accessibility features that facilitate operation in a number of ways, including screen reader functionality for the visually impaired. When the screen reader function31 is activated, text on the menu screens is read aloud. The screen reader function can be activated from the menu [Setup] tab, where volume and reading speed can also be set as required. In addition to the menus, the Screen Reader function also works in the movie playback screen. In addition to the Screen Reader, the ZV-E1 includes a number of functions that assist in achieving pinpoint focus on a variety of subjects.
Recycled materials in Digital Cameras No non-recyclable resources are used in our repeatedly recyclable, durable, high quality SORPLAS™ material32. SORPLAS and other recyclable materials are used in camera bodies as much as possible32, reducing stress on the environment without compromising performance or functionality in any way.
Environment-friendly packaging and non-plastic materials To minimize environmental stress, the outer packaging of the ZV-E1 uses Sony's durable, recyclable "Original Blend Material" consisting of bamboo, sugar cane, and recycled paper, with no plastics. Sony is working towards using non-plastic packaging materials with ample protection against shock and impact33, as well as plant-based non-woven fabrics for product bags34.