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Sony ZV-E1 Camera Review

Tested using Methodology v0.12.1
Reviewed Jul 13, 2023 at 11:20 am
Latest change: Writing modified Oct 02, 2024 at 09:29 am
Sony ZV-E1 Picture
8.7
Travel Photography
8.7
Landscape Photography
8.6
Sport & Wildlife Photography
8.6
Raw Photo Performance
7.9
Vlogging
8.4
Studio Video
8.0
Action Video

The Sony ZV-E1 is Sony's first full-frame interchangeable-lens vlogging camera, sitting above the entry-level Sony ZV-E10. With a fully articulated touchscreen, no viewfinder, and a stereo mic built into the top plate, it looks very much like a larger ZV-E10, with a touch of DNA from the compact Sony α7C. In many ways, it builds off of the foundation the ZV-E10 built as a dedicated vlogging alternative to Sony's Alpha lineup. Inside, however, is a 12-megapixel sensor similar to the ones found in the Sony α7S III and the Sony FX3—Sony's resident full-frame video and cinema powerhouses. That, along with a sophisticated autofocus system and plenty of AI-enabled features designed to make high-level content creation as accessible as possible, position this as the go-to camera for those with YouTube career aspirations.

Our Verdict

8.7 Travel Photography

The Sony ZV-E1 is great for travel photography, especially if you don't mind shooting without a viewfinder. It's very compact and portable for a full-frame camera, though it still isn't the option to get if portability is your main priority since full-frame lenses can still add some bulk. On the upside, it has an amazing battery life and captures stunning images, with particularly good low-light performance. Its autofocus system is also remarkably reliable and accurate, with a sophisticated subject detection and tracking feature. That said, its ergonomics leave a little to be desired, particularly if you have larger hands.

Pros
  • Very compact for a full-frame camera.
  • Excellent battery life.
  • Amazing AI-powered autofocus.
  • Superb image quality.
Cons
  • No viewfinder.
  • Ergonomics aren't the best.
8.7 Landscape Photography

Despite being a video-centric camera, the Sony ZV-E1 is excellent for landscape photography. Its sensor has an incredibly wide dynamic range, allowing you to capture more highlight and shadow detail in high-contrast landscapes. It also performs very well in low light, keeping noise to a minimum. On top of that, it's a well-built camera with weather-sealing for some added peace of mind when shooting outdoors. However, it doesn't have the best ergonomics, especially if you have larger hands. Its lower-resolution sensor also means you have less leeway to crop your photos, and it's a bit less suited to making large prints.

Pros
  • Very compact for a full-frame camera.
  • Excellent battery life.
  • Exceptional dynamic range.
  • Low light noise handling is incredible.
Cons
  • No viewfinder.
  • Ergonomics aren't the best.
  • Relatively low resolution sensor.
8.6 Sport & Wildlife Photography

The Sony ZV-E1 is a solid choice for sports and wildlife photography, but this isn't its main intended use. The lack of a viewfinder makes tracking and framing moving subjects harder. While it can shoot at a respectable 10 fps, it also lacks a mechanical shutter, which means you're liable to get some rolling shutter artifacts from its electronic shutter when tracking moving subjects. On the upside, it has an excellent autofocus system with sophisticated tracking capabilities. Plus, it has a virtually infinite buffer, so you can shoot as many bursts as you want for as long as you want without interruption. The image quality of its sensor is also phenomenal.

Pros
  • Very compact for a full-frame camera.
  • Excellent battery life.
  • Virtually infinite photo buffer.
  • Amazing AI-powered autofocus.
Cons
  • No viewfinder.
  • Ergonomics aren't the best.
  • No mechanical shutter.
8.6 Raw Photo Performance

The Sony ZV-E1 has excellent RAW image quality. It has exceptional dynamic range, so it preserves an incredibly wide array of detail even in high-contrast scenes. It also does an excellent job of managing noise levels in low light conditions. That said, its sensor resolves less fine detail than competitors with higher-resolution sensors and gives you less leeway to crop in your photos.

Pros
  • Exceptional dynamic range.
  • Excellent noise management in low light.
Cons
  • Relatively low resolution sensor.
7.9 Vlogging

The Sony ZV-E1 is a very good vlogging camera, particularly for those who tend to shoot in less controlled lighting conditions or in low light and can benefit from its full-frame sensor. That said, it's a strange proposition for most vloggers. It has in-body image stabilization, which can be a boon for handheld vlogging, but its size and ergonomics don't lend themselves to shooting in a selfie position, so you'll probably need a tripod grip for handheld shooting. On the upside, it's fairly lightweight and works well when mounted on a grip. It has an incredible sensor and very good internal recording specs, but it seems designed to do the work for you in many ways, which feels somewhat at odds with its high-spec video capabilities. Ultimately, if you want a high-end video camera but don't care about the nitty-gritty of videography, this camera is for you. Its many shooting modes and AI-enabled features make it easy to become a one-person vlogging enterprise if that's your goal. Just be aware that it can overheat quite easily.

Pros
  • Very compact for a full-frame camera.
  • Fully articulated screen.
  • 4k at 120 fps (with Creators' Cloud upgrade).
  • Amazing AI-powered autofocus.
Cons
  • Overheats quickly in 4k.
  • Ergonomics aren't the best.
8.4 Studio Video

The Sony ZV-E1 is great for studio video. It can record 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally and supports S-Log 3 to capture a wider dynamic and tonal range in your videos. Plenty of other picture profiles exist, including S-Cinetone for a more cinematic look. No recording time limit means it's good for longer takes, but unfortunately, the camera overheats very quickly. Internal battery life is good but not amazing for video, though you can also use an external power supply to extend the battery life. Beyond that, the video quality is fantastic.

Pros
  • Very compact for a full-frame camera.
  • 4k at 120 fps (with Creators' Cloud upgrade).
  • Amazing AI-powered autofocus.
  • Internal 10-bit 4:2:2 recording.
  • S-Log 3.
Cons
  • Overheats quickly in 4k.
  • Ergonomics aren't the best.
8.0 Action Video

The Sony ZV-E1 is great for recording action video from the sidelines, though it isn't intended for POV-style action video. While it's relatively compact, it's still a full-frame camera, so it isn't the most portable option, especially if you need to get right in the action. It also isn't waterproof or meant for action video rigs. Still, if you're shooting cinematic sports or action footage, it's a capable video camera that outputs high-quality 4k at up to 120 fps.

Pros
  • Very compact for a full-frame camera.
  • 4k at 120 fps (with Creators' Cloud upgrade).
Cons
  • Overheats quickly in 4k.
  • Ergonomics aren't the best.
  • Not waterproof.
  • 8.7 Travel Photography
  • 8.7 Landscape Photography
  • 8.6 Sport & Wildlife Photography
  • 8.6 Raw Photo Performance
  • 7.9 Vlogging
  • 8.4 Studio Video
  • 8.0 Action Video
  1. Updated Oct 02, 2024: We added a comparison to the Panasonic LUMIX S9 in the Ergonomics & Comfort section.
  2. Updated Jan 29, 2024: Added text to 'Raw Photo Performance' verdict box.
  3. Updated Jan 29, 2024: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.1.
  4. Updated Oct 20, 2023: Linked to the Sony α7C II in the Viewfinder box.
  5. Updated Jul 13, 2023: Review published.
  6. Updated Jul 06, 2023: Early access published.
  7. Updated Jun 28, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
  8. Updated Jun 26, 2023: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  9. Updated Jun 19, 2023: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Sony ZV-E1 comes in two color variants: black and white. We purchased the black model, and you can see its label here.

You can buy the camera body on its own without a lens or buy the camera bundled with a kit lens. It's most commonly bundled with the FE 28-60mm f/4.0-5.6 lens, but you can find different lens bundles depending on the retailer.

If you come across a different variant, or your Sony ZV-E1 doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Cameras

The Sony ZV-E1 is the first full-frame camera from Sony dedicated specifically to vlogging and content creation. Like many of its ZV series predecessors, it has a fully articulated screen, no viewfinder, and an improved internal microphone, complete with a detachable "dead cat" windscreen. But it stands out among vlogging cameras not only for its full-frame sensor and in-body image stabilization but also for its slew of auto-shooting modes and AI-powered features that seem designed to make this a one-stop vlog shop.

For more options, check out the best cameras for vlogging, the best cameras for filmmaking, and the best full-frame mirrorless cameras.

Sony ZV-E10

The Sony ZV-E1 and the Sony ZV-E10 are part of Sony's dedicated vlogging camera lineup. They look and feel similar in design, with fully articulated screens, no viewfinders, and vlogging microphones. However, the Sony ZV-E1 is a higher-end camera with better internal recording capabilities and a better full-frame sensor that captures higher-quality footage. The ZV-E1 can be overkill for some vloggers, and the ZV-E10 is more portable.

Sony α7C II

The Sony ZV-E1 and the Sony α7C II are both excellent full-frame cameras with relatively compact bodies, but they're aimed at different users. The ZV-E1 is a high-end vlogging camera with a sensor and features optimized for videography, while the α7C II is a hybrid camera with a more photography-oriented design that includes a viewfinder and a higher-resolution sensor.

Sony α6700

The Sony α6700 and the Sony ZV-E1 have similarities, including the same fantastic AI-driven autofocus system and relatively portable designs. The α6700 uses an APS-C sensor and is more suited to photography thanks to its viewfinder and ergonomics. The ZV-E1, meanwhile, is a high-end vlogging camera with a full-frame sensor optimized for video recording and low-light shooting.

Sony α7C

The Sony α7C and the Sony ZV-E1 are both compact full-frame cameras, though the ZV-E1 is a tad more portable since it lacks a viewfinder. They perform similarly overall, but broadly speaking, the α7C is better suited to photography, while the ZV-E1 is better suited to video.

Sony ZV-E10 II

The Sony ZV-E1 and the Sony ZV-E10 II are both part of Sony's vlogging camera lineup. The biggest difference between them is the sensor. The full-frame sensor of the ZV-E1 captures better video quality overall and is much better suited to low-light shooting. That said, if you don't need full-frame image quality, the ZV-E10 II covers a lot of the same ground at a lower price point.

Panasonic LUMIX S9

If you're wondering which compact full-frame content creator camera comes out on top, the Sony ZV-E1 has an edge over the Panasonic LUMIX S9. Both are remarkably portable for full-frame cameras, but the Sony has notably better ergonomics and build quality. Its sensor is also better optimized for video work and low-light shooting, and it has a more effective overall autofocus system and a headphone jack. That being said, it has some limitations, as it's even more prone to overheating and doesn't support open-gate recording as the S9 does.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
7.7
Design
Portability
Height
2.9" (7.3 cm)
Width
5.2" (13.3 cm)
Depth
2.2" (5.5 cm)
Volume
32.6 in³ (533.7 cm³)
Weight
1.06 lbs (0.48 kg)

The Sony ZV-E1 is very portable for a full-frame camera. It's similar in size to the Sony α7C but has an even more compact form factor without a viewfinder. It isn't as small or lightweight as its APS-C cousin, the Sony ZV-E10, but relatively speaking, it's a very portable camera.

9.0
Design
Build Quality

The Sony ZV-E1 feels incredibly well-built. It's right up there with other recent Sony full-frames, like the Sony α7C and Sony α7 IV. According to Sony, the camera is dust and moisture-resistant, with sealing around all the buttons and dials, which still offer good physical feedback. The ports, inputs, and battery and SD card compartments are covered with hinged doors. Like other video-centric models, the shoulder strap attachment points are fixed to the body, so they won't rattle around while shooting video.

Design
Body
Body Type
SLR-Style
Water Resistance
Weather-Sealed
Mirrorless
Yes
Rugged
No
Hot Shoe
Yes
Customizable Button
Yes
Command Dial
2
Tripod Mount
Yes
Lens Mount
E-Mount
Built-In Flash
No
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/8,000 s

While the camera is similar in design to its APS-C cousin, the Sony ZV-E10, there are a few notable differences in the body. Aside from size, the On/Off switch is now around the shutter button rather than a sliding switch next to the video record button. Also, there's a slider instead of a single button to toggle through the photo, video, and slow & quick modes.

Design
In The Box

  • Sony ZV-E1 camera body
  • Sensor cover
  • Hot shoe cover
  • Wind screen for microphone
  • Shoulder strap
  • 1x Sony NP-FZ100 battery
  • User manual and documentation

7.5
Design
Ergonomics & Comfort
Hand Grip: Small Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Medium Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Large Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Extra-Large Hand
No

The ergonomics are good, especially if you have smaller hands. It's a smidge better than the Sony ZV-E10 because there's more room for your fingers. However, those with larger hands will likely find it a bit cramped. The camera is odd in that its size and ergonomics aren't suited to holding it in a selfie/vlogging position, so you'll likely need a grip or tripod to comfortably use it that way. On the flip side, it isn't the most comfortable camera to shoot handheld in a regular orientation. That said, it's a step above the similarly sized Panasonic LUMIX S9, which lacks a handgrip entirely, and there are still some things to like about the ergonomics, especially once you get used to them. That includes well-placed dials and buttons, along with the large touchscreen that makes it easy to adjust settings on the screen.

Design
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type
No Viewfinder
Advertised Coverage
N/A
Advertised Resolution
N/A
Advertised Magnification
N/A

Unlike the otherwise similarly-sized Sony α7C II, the Sony ZV-E1 doesn't have a viewfinder.

9.3
Design
Screen
Screen Articulation Type
Fully-Articulated
Screen Max Brightness
851 cd/m²
Advertised Resolution
1.04 million dots
Size
3.0" (7.5 cm)
Touchscreen
Yes

The camera has a large vari-angle touchscreen. Unlike many older Sony models, this one includes full touch capability, which is nice to have. You can use the screen to navigate the menus, activate the shutter or video recording, set AF points, or swipe from the edges to pull out additional settings. It gets super bright too, which is great for sunny conditions and is ideal since the camera doesn't have a viewfinder.

9.0
Design
Menu System
Guide Mode
Yes
App Name
Creators' App

Sony has continued improving its menu system, building even further on the menu we saw with the Sony α7 IV and other more recent entries. The Sony ZV-E1 has the same layout, but the settings are even more logically organized. It's easy to find what you're looking for, and there are many customization options, including a custom 'My Menu' page where you can add shortcuts to whatever settings you want and a customizable quick 'Fn' menu for commonly used settings. In addition to the 'Fn' menu, you can swipe on the screen to pull up even more settings options. There's also a new 'Main Menu', which acts as a sort of home page, where you can find the most commonly used settings for both photo mode and video mode.

The ZV-E1 is compatible with Sony's new Creators' App. The app has a clean design and includes the usual functionality you'd expect from a companion app, including transferring files directly from your camera to your smartphone as well as live view and remote operation. That said, like most camera companion apps, there's a significant lag when using it for live-view shooting. We experienced delays of up to 20s for the image to appear on the app or for operations on the app to register on the camera. On the upside, you can get notifications for new camera updates from the app, which is nice.

not tested
Design
Built-In Lens
Maximum Aperture
No built-in lens
Max Aperture (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Minimum Focal Length
N/A
Maximum Focal Length
N/A
Max Focal Length (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Optical Image Stabilization
No
Luminance
N/A
Light Falloff
N/A
Design
Sensor
Sensor Type
BSI CMOS
Advertised Effective Pixels
12.1 MP
Sensor Size
Full Frame
Processor
BIONZ XR
Extended ISO Minimum
40
Native ISO Minimum (Base ISO)
80
Native ISO Maximum
102,400
Tested Firmware
Ver. 1.00

The camera essentially borrows its sensor from the Sony α7S III, with a lower-resolution backside-illuminated design meant to optimize its light-gathering ability. However, it uses a newer BIONZ XR processor than the α7S III. The camera's ISO goes up to a native max of 102,400, with extended ISO values up to 409,600. Like other Sony cameras, you can take advantage of the 'ClearImage Zoom' feature, which is a digital zoom feature that magnifies the image by a factor of 2x with minimal loss in quality.

8.7
Design
Battery
Battery Type
Sony NP-FZ100
USB Charging
Yes
Power Delivery While Recording
Yes
Advertised Battery Life In Photo
570 photos
Tested Battery Life In Video
108 min

The camera's battery life is excellent. With a 570-shot CIPA rating, it's well above many full-frame mirrorless models and falls just shy of the Sony α7 IV. However, that number is just a ballpark figure, and your actual battery life can vary drastically depending on how you use your camera.

On the video side, battery life is great but falls short of the advertised 140 minutes. We managed to get 108 minutes of continuous video recording when shooting in 4k at 30 fps. To extend the camera's battery life, you can always use an external power source for power delivery. Unfortunately, the camera doesn't come with a USB-C cable, A/C adapter, or battery charger in the box to reduce electronic waste. You can use any commercially available USB-C cable, though if you plan on using an A/C adapter, Sony recommends using one with a rated output of 1.5 A or higher.

Photo General
7.9
Photo General
Photo Shooting Speed
Low Speed Continuous
3 fps
High Speed Continuous
10 fps
Silent Shooting Continuous
10 fps
Raw Buffer Size
10,000 Photos
JPEG Buffer Size
10,000 Photos
Buffer Empty Time
0 s

The camera shoots at a respectably quick max burst rate for continuous shooting. With a sufficiently fast UHS-II SD card, it has a virtually infinite photo buffer, even when shooting in RAW, so you can take burst photos to your heart's content.

9.2
Photo General
Photo AF-C Tracking
Autofocus Tracking Shots
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
85%
Usable Focus Hit Rate
98%

Like other Sony cameras, the Sony ZV-E1 uses a hybrid phase- and contrast-detection autofocus system but uses the same AF technology, including an AI processor, as the Sony α7R V. It's Sony's most sophisticated AF yet, with some seriously impressive AI-enabled abilities that outstrip what even already-amazing cameras like the Sony α7 IV can do. It not only has face/eye detection for humans but uses what Sony calls "human pose estimation" to recognize other parts of the body and accurately detect where a subject's eyes are, even when they're partially obscured or when the subject turns around.

On top of that, you have subject detection modes for animals/birds, insects, cars/trains, and airplanes. You can fine-tune the settings, too—for example, in bird/animal mode, you can set it to specifically focus on either birds or animals or 'auto' to detect either. You can also choose whether it should prioritize the animal's eye, head, or body.

No surprise, the AF tracking performs incredibly well. While it isn't perfect (no AF system is), it's one of the most impressive autofocus systems we've seen, especially with human subjects. It does a fantastic job of keeping moving human subjects in focus, even in busy scenes and with more erratic movements.

10
Photo General
Photo AF-C Center Point
Autofocus Center Point Shots
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
100%
Usable Focus Hit Rate
100%

If you prefer a single center focus point, you'll have no trouble keeping a subject behind the AF point in focus. It's quick, accurate, and seamless.

9.2
Photo General
Photo Image Stabilization
Minimum Shutter Speed Achieved
1/4 s
In-Body Image Stabilization
Yes

The Sony ZV-E1 has in-body image stabilization (IBIS), and it works remarkably well to stabilize images at slow shutter speeds. We got clear handheld shots at shutter speeds as slow as 1/4s when using the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6, which doesn't include optical stabilization. Of course, stabilization performance can vary drastically depending on the lens, the focal length you shoot at, and how steady your hands are.

Photo Image Quality
9.8
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Dynamic Range
Dynamic Range At Base ISO
12.9 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/500s Exposure Time
10.0 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/2000s Exposure Time
9.8 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/4000s Exposure Time
8.1 f-stops

The camera has fantastic RAW dynamic range. At its base ISO, it can capture a remarkably wide range of shadow and highlight detail, which is ideal for high-contrast scenes and gives you more leeway to shoot in trickier lighting conditions without losing detail.

7.4
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Sharpness
Vertical Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
1,632 LW/PH
Horizontal Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
1,649 LW/PH

Sharpness isn't this camera's forte since it uses a relatively low-resolution sensor. There isn't nearly as much fine detail when you punch in as you'll get with higher-resolution cameras like the Sony α7 IV. That said, this is most apparent when pixel-peeping or cropping in heavily.

8.6
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Noise
SNR 18% At 1/8 Exposure Time (125 ms)
35.2dB
SNR 18% At 1/30 Exposure Time (33 ms)
34.2 dB
SNR 18% At 1/125 Exposure Time (8 ms)
31.5 dB
SNR 18% At 1/500 Exposure Time (2 ms)
27.0dB

As for noise, the camera does an excellent job of managing noise levels in low light. Even when you have to bump the ISO due to shorter exposure times with less available light, the camera keeps noise to a minimum, with plenty of detail retained.

Pictures Sample Gallery
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Skate Park Picture
JPEG Skate Park Picture Download
RAW Skate Park Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Polish Church Picture
JPEG Polish Church Picture Download
RAW Polish Church Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Studio Picture
JPEG Studio Picture Download
RAW Studio Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Stairway Picture
JPEG Stairway Picture Download
RAW Stairway Picture Download
Video General
Video General
Video Features
Full HD Video
Yes
4k Video
Yes
6k Video
No
Clean HDMI Output
Yes
Advertised Max Chroma Sampling Over HDMI
4:2:2
Advertised Max Bit Depth Over HDMI
10 bits
Log Picture Profile
Yes
Recording Light
Yes

The Sony ZV-E1 can capture 4k footage at up to 120 fps, with 120 fps added once you get the upgrade license through Sony's Creators' Cloud. That said, because of the resolution of its sensor, you don't have as much leeway to crop as you would with a camera that records down-sampled 4k from a higher-resolution sensor.

The camera's intended users of content creators, vloggers, and first-time video shooters is apparent in the inclusion of various auto-shooting modes that simplify the process for those who just want to shoot videos without much fuss or post-production. The 'Intelligent Auto' mode is the simplest of these and takes the guesswork out of video shooting by automatically detecting what kind of scene you're recording. Within this, 'My Image Style' lets users adjust aspects of the image in simple terms like 'brightness' and 'color'. In this mode, the camera also automatically adjusts the depth of field depending on how many subjects are in the scene. For example, if a second person enters the scene, the camera will stop down to create a deeper depth of field.

There's also the 'Cinematic Vlog' mode that crops the video to a widescreen cinematic aspect ratio with black bars along the top and bottom, sets the frame rate to 24 fps, and defaults to the 'S-Cinetone' picture profile. You can further adjust the image with preset 'Looks' and 'Moods' that affect the video's color and tone. On top of that, you can adjust the speed at which the camera pulls focus if you select a different subject in the frame to which you'd like the focus to transition.

The 'Auto Framing' feature can also be helpful for vloggers who are working alone. The feature crops into a portion of the frame and automatically tracks your movement, giving the impression of a camera operator moving the camera around to track you. It's meant for use with a tripod, and you can adjust the crop level and tracking speed. It also lets you record an uncropped version of the footage as a backup, so you can mix and match wider shots with the cropped auto-framed footage. You can see that in action here.

For more advanced users who want to record in Log and get the most flexibility in post-production, the camera supports S-Log 3. It also has separate 'Picture Profiles' that do more of the work for you in-camera. There are 11 different presets to choose from. For more information about those, you can see Sony's help guide here. When using a picture profile, the 'Gamma Display Assist' lets you preview the image with contrast equivalent to a regular gamma curve to get an idea of how your footage will look after processing. Like the Sony FX3, the camera also allows users to import up to 16 custom LUTs to the camera and lets you apply the LUT in-camera. It's a handy feature for those who want to save the time it would take to color grade. The 'Display LUT' setting lets you preview LUTs on the monitor.

Besides these features, it has vlog-friendly features we've seen on other ZV models before, including the 'Product Showcase' mode that changes focus priority when objects are held up in the frame. By default, the C1 button on the top of the camera is also set to 'Background Defocus', which quickly toggles between a deep and shallow depth of field.

Video General
Audio
Audio Test Sample
Audio Recording
Stereo
Microphone Level Display
Yes

The Sony ZV-E1 uses a three-capsule internal microphone. Unlike previous models in the ZV series, you can set the microphone's directionality to 'Auto', 'Front', 'All', and 'Rear'. In the 'Auto' mode, the camera adjusts the mic's directionality depending on if the autofocus detects a human subject in the frame. If no subject is detected, it defaults to 'All'. You can see how that works in action here. It's worth noting, however, that the auto mode can sometimes work against you if, say, you're narrating a video from behind the camera, and it switches to the front mic without you realizing it.

Video General
Video File Format And Compression
MP4 H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
No
MP4 H.265 / HEVC
No
MOV H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
No
MOV H.265 / HEVC
No
AVCHD H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
Yes
All-I Compression
Yes

In addition to H.264, the camera can record in the XAVC HS: MPEG-H HEVC/H.265 codec. You can only shoot 4k at either 60 fps or 24 fps when using that codec.

4k Video
9.9
4k Video
4k Video Frame Rate
240 fps In 4k
No
120 fps In 4k
Yes, with a Crop
60 fps In 4k
Yes
30 fps In 4k
Yes
24 fps In 4k
Yes
4k Crop At Max Available fps
1.11 x

The Sony ZV-E1 can record 4k video at up to 60 fps without a crop, which is fantastic. Sony also released a free upgrade license for the ZV-E1, available to download on PC through the Creators' Cloud, which adds 4k at 120 fps. You can record regular video at 120 fps and slow it down in post if you want slow-motion footage or record 120 fps footage in the S&Q (Slow & Quick) mode. In S&Q mode, the video is slowed down in-camera, and there's no audio recorded. It also incurs a slight crop. You can adjust the playback speed to get varying levels of slow motion. Here is a screengrab of video recorded at 120 fps at 2x slow motion. The video quality remains high even when using this mode.

8.5
4k Video
4k Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In 4k
569 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In 4k
60 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In 4k
4:2:2
Bit Depth In 4k
10 Bit
Record Time Limit In 4k
N/A
Overheat Recording Interruptions in 4k
7

Unfortunately, the Sony ZV-E1 struggles with overheating during longer recording sessions in 4k. We got overheat warnings within 15 minutes of recording. You can adjust the 'Auto Power OFF Temp' to 'High' to minimize overheat warnings and interruptions. If you do so, however, the camera can get uncomfortably hot to the touch.

Overheating aside, the camera's internal recording specs are excellent. It can capture 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally, giving you more leeway to grade Log footage.

The above max bit rate was achieved using the All-I codec in 4k at 60 fps. When using the H.264 codec in 4k at 120 fps, the max bit rate is 280 Mbps.

9.2
4k Video
4k Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In 4k
10
Face Tracking In 4k
8.2
Face Detection In 4k
Yes
Eye Detection In 4k
Yes

The Sony ZV-E1 uses Sony's latest autofocus system, which they advertise to make extensive use of 'AI' processing. As in photo mode, you get several different subject detection modes, from regular old human/eye detection to animal/bird, insect, and vehicle detection modes. All in all, the autofocus tracking performs incredibly well in 4k. There are a ton of settings and AF modes to tweak how it performs, including tracking sensitivity and transition speed adjustments. There's also a 'Locked-on' setting that's meant to stay locked to a subject even when they move out of the focus area. While we found the camera's tracking to be very reliable on the whole, it was somewhat inconsistent whenever the subject left the frame, sometimes struggling to find him again when he re-entered. It performed a lot better with that when tracking sensitivity was set to 'Responsive'. The touch tracking feature, which lets you select a subject to track by tapping on them on the screen, was also somewhat unreliable with moving human subjects. In most cases, you're better off just letting the subject detection do its thing.

8.8
4k Video
4k Video Quality
Low Light Capability In 4k
8.5
Test Scene Extract In 4k
9.0

The video quality in 4k is excellent overall. It performs well in more controlled lighting, capturing sharp, detailed footage. It also performs amazingly well in low light, with minimal noise and plenty of detail retention in the shadows.

The camera includes a few different video stabilization settings. The 'Standard' mode uses the camera's in-body image stabilization, while the 'Active' and 'Dynamic Active' apply an additional crop and use digital stabilization in tandem with the sensor-shift stabilization. The Active mode incurs an additional 1.12x crop, while the Dynamic Active mode incurs an additional 1.45x crop. You can see how each performs in a handheld vlogging scenario here.

7.0
4k Video
4k Video Rolling Shutter Effect
4k Rolling Shutter
4.0°

There's some noticeable wobbling and skewing from the rolling shutter in 4k, but it's much better than the rolling shutter on the Sony α7 IV and the Sony ZV-E10.

Full HD Video
10
Full HD Video
FHD Video Frame Rate
240 fps In FHD
Yes
120 fps In FHD
Yes
60 fps In FHD
Yes
30 fps In FHD
Yes
24 fps In FHD
Yes
FHD Crop At Max Available fps
1 x

There are plenty of frame rate options in 1080p, with regular recording at up to 120 fps. With the Creators' Cloud upgrade license, the camera can record 1080p video at 240 fps but only in the Slow & Quick mode. This mode doesn't record any audio but makes it easy to capture slow-motion video without having to slow it down in post. You have various playback speed options as well. That said, there's a noticeable dip in quality when recording at 240 fps, as you can see here.

10
Full HD Video
FHD Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In FHD
207 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In FHD
45 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In FHD
4:2:2
Bit Depth In FHD
10 Bit
Record Time Limit in FHD
N/A

In 1080p, the camera's internal recording capability is superb. As with 4k, it can record 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally, and there's no recording time limit. Overheating is also less likely in 1080p. The bit rate noted above was achieved using the All-Intra setting in FHD at 60 fps. When shooting in the default codec, the max bit rate is about 96 Mbps in FHD at 120 fps.

9.3
Full HD Video
FHD Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In FHD
10
Face Tracking In FHD
8.3
Face Detection In FHD
Yes
Eye Detection In FHD
Yes

Just like 4k, the autofocus performs incredibly well in 1080p. It has few issues picking up and tracking moving subjects, though just as in 4k, it sometimes gets confused if the subject leaves the frame and pops back in. Otherwise, it's a very accurate and responsive autofocus system with plenty of settings to fine-tune its performance.

8.8
Full HD Video
FHD Video Quality
Low Light Capability In FHD
8.5
Test Scene Extract In FHD
9.0

The 1080p video quality is excellent. It's relatively sharp and detailed, and it looks amazing in low light, with a lot of detail in the shadows and minimal noise.

7.0
Full HD Video
FHD Video Rolling Shutter Effect
FHD Rolling Shutter
4.0°

The rolling shutter effect is similar in 1080p as it is in 4k. It performs decently overall, but there's still some noticeable skewing with vertical lines when you pan the camera.

Storage And Connectivity
Storage And Connectivity
Storage
Card 1 Slot
SD Card UHS-II
Card 2 Slot
No 2nd Card Slot

There's just a single SD card slot rated for UHS-II cards. It's a little disappointing for those who prefer having a backup, but given the camera's compact size, it isn't too surprising. The slot is uniquely placed on the camera's left side, so it's quite easy to change out cards if you're using a tripod.

9.5
Storage And Connectivity
Inputs / Outputs
USB
USB-C
HDMI
Micro (Type D)
Headphones
Yes
Microphone
Stereo
Wi-Fi
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes

You have all your typical ports here, though the camera's compact size means a Micro HDMI port rather than full-size. Still, there's a mic input, headphone jack, and USB-C port for charging.