Sony ZV-E1 Full Frame Camera Price is $2,499.99 USD with Kit Lens, Available Starting May 2023

On March 29, 2023, Sony Electronics unveiled its latest addition to the ZV vlog camera line-up - the Sony ZV-E1. This interchangeable lens camera is equipped with a 35mm full-frame image sensor that offers exceptional performance for video creation.

Boasting a 12MP full-frame image sensor, Sony's latest BIONZ XR image processing engine, and a dedicated AI processing unit, Sony ZV-E1 delivers top-notch cinematic imagery with rich colors, low noise, and high precision. Additionally, it is compatible with over 70 Sony E-mount lenses and incorporates other advanced technologies to provide video creators with maximum creative freedom and versatility.

The ZV-E1 is the world's most compact and lightweight full-frame interchangeable lens camera, making it highly portable and ideal for creators on-the-go. Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions at Sony Electronics Inc., emphasized that the ZV-E1 is designed to provide video creators with a premium content creation tool that helps elevate their content. Sony continuously listens to customer feedback and strives to meet their demands, resulting in the ZV-E1's sophisticated video features, streamlined user experience, and extremely compact design, providing a whole new level of top-tier video content creation.

Made for Content Creation

The ZV-E1 is a specialized camera designed for content creation that boasts a 35mm full-frame back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R™ sensor with approximately 12.1 effective megapixels, delivering outstanding sensitivity, low noise, and beautiful bokeh that emphasizes the subject.

Sony ZV-E1 has a fully articulating screen.

The new BIONZ XR™ image processing engine provides up to eight times more processing power than previous Sony processors, markedly improving high-sensitivity performance, gradation rendering, color reproduction, and low-noise performance. It can process the high volume of data generated by the image sensor in real time, even when shooting 4K (QFHD: 3840 x 2160) footage at 120p, resulting in improved AF speed and precision.

Sony ZV-E1 Black Colorway Top Panel

Users can record high-quality 4K (QFHD) video with full pixel readout at 10-bit 4:2:2, without the need for pixel binning, and at high speed to minimize rolling shutter, allowing them to take full advantage of the expressive benefits of the full-frame format for video recording while delivering high-resolution 4K footage. Moreover, users can upgrade from 4K 60p to 4K 120p for smooth 5x (max.) slow-motion imagery through the Creators' Cloud.

Bottom Panel shows the location of the battery cover which is conveniently away from the screw mount. This means that you can swap batteries without having to unmount the camera on a tripod.

The ZV-E1 also offers outstanding image quality for direct playback of slow or quick motion video in the S&Q mode, with 15+ stop latitude that enables users to capture natural-looking images in a wide variety of lighting conditions, even in extraordinarily low-light situations without losing highlight or shadow detail. The standard ISO range extends from 80 to 102400 for both stills and movies, with an expanded range for stills from 40 to 409600 and for movies from 80 to 409600.

Achieve Natural Cinematic Look

Realize your cinematic aspirations with the ZV-E1. This camera offers Cinematic Vlog Settings that allow you to capture stunning footage with a cinematic feel akin to that of feature films. With the ability to choose the appropriate Look, Mood, and AF transition speed, you can create footage that aligns with the scene and your creative vision. Moreover, the camera's 24 fps frame rate and widescreen Cinemascope aspect ratio (2.35:1) contribute to an overall cinematic look.

Sony ZV-E1 White Colorway without any lens. Here, you can clearly see the Full Frame Sensor of the camera.

In addition, the ZV-E1 features S-Cinetone, a unique Sony feature that creates a cinematic look straight out of the camera without the need for post-processing. S-Cinetone is based on Sony's Cinema Line technology, delivering natural mid-tones that are essential for healthy-looking skin color and superior cinematic quality.

The camera also includes new Creative Looks that allow you to create captivating appearances for stills and videos right in the camera. The presets can be used as-is or customized with the touch of a button. The My Image Style function further facilitates the process by allowing you to adjust the background bokeh, brightness, and color tone, as well as select a Creative Look, all through icons on the touch-sensitive monitor.

AI-Powered Full Frame Camera

The ZV-E1 camera is designed to empower "crew of one" creators by overcoming the challenges of self-taken footage using Sony's cutting-edge AI technology. This camera is the first of its kind to enable true self-taken footage with its dedicated AI processing unit, which utilizes human recognition and features such as Multiple Face Recognition, Auto Framing, Framing Stabilizer, and Auto Microphone directivity to produce high-quality content.

The camera's AI processing unit is capable of real-time Recognition AF that uses subject form data to recognize movement with high precision. This technology can accurately recognize not only eyes, but also body and head position, even when a subject is facing away from the camera. The AI processing unit can differentiate between multiple subjects, even those with different postures or in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, the camera can recognize various subjects, such as animals, birds, insects, cars/trains, and airplanes, providing even greater flexibility for shooting stills and video.

Multiple Face Recognition adjusts the focus and bokeh on multiple recognized faces when shooting group selfies or portraits, preventing out-of-focus faces in the back. The camera also features Breathing Compensation that suppresses image shifts when focusing, providing consistent angles of view and smooth focusing effects.

The AI-based Real-time Tracking is activated by half-pressing the shutter button, allowing the camera to automatically track the subject while the user focuses on framing and composition. The camera's Hybrid AF allows for fast acquisition and tenacious tracking, while the AI-based Auto Framing for video crops the frame to keep the subject in a prominent position, even when the camera is mounted on a tripod.

The ZV-E1's 5-axis stabilization unit and optimized algorithms provide up to 5.0-step stabilization, even with lenses that lack their own stabilization. The camera's Dynamic Active Mode stabilization is 30% more effective than Active Mode, making it easy to shoot stable footage while moving for dynamic expression. The Framing Stabilizer uses advanced AI-based subject recognition with the Dynamic Active Mode to keep the subject's position in the frame constant.

The camera also features a Bokeh Switch for easy background bokeh enhancement and the Product Showcase Setting for smooth focus switching between the presenter's face and the product.

Advanced 10-Bit 4:2:2 Video Recording Capabilities for Pros

The ZV-E1 offers advanced video recording capabilities with internal 10-bit 4:2:2 video recording when using Long GOP or All Intra compression. It also supports internal intra-frame (All-I) recording and XAVC HS format recording using the MPEG-H HEVC/H.265 codec, which provides nearly twice the efficiency of other codecs. With Flexible ISO, the camera can be set to AUTO or manually set between 640 and 102400 (160 and 409600 in expanded ISO mode). Picture profiles with assignable LUTs are available, allowing users to create unique looks when shooting in modes other than the preset Log modes.

Sony ZV-E1 has a good number of useful ports including a 3.5mm microphone jack, a headphone jack, micro HDMI port, USB Type C charging port, and one SD card slot.

Furthermore, the ZV-E1 records image stabilization and camera rotation metadata, which can be useful when editing with the free Catalyst Browse desktop application, paid Catalyst Prepare desktop application, or plugin. This feature enables users to quickly and precisely stabilize footage during editing, and lens breathing compensation can also be applied during editing.

Made for Budding Content Creators Too

The ZV-E1 is designed for effortless use, boasting a convenient side-opening vari-angle 3-inch 1.07 Mdot LCD screen for easy monitoring. Its touch function allows for easy recording and its control layout and grip are optimized for content creation, making it a breeze to use.

The camera features uninterrupted power for extended recording, utilizing Sony's high-capacity Z battery and USB PD (Power Delivery) for fast charging. Additionally, the ZV-E1 has a dust and moisture resistant design for added durability and protection.

Take your live content to the next level with the ZV-E1 by using it as a 4K (2160p) webcam when connected to a personal computer or smartphone via USB. This feature allows for streaming of high-quality live content, such as online meetings, live events, and even simple conversations with family and friends.

Conveniently Connect Sony ZV-E1 To Your Smartphone

Sony's recently launched Creator's Cloud platform and effortless smartphone connectivity allow creators to easily connect and distribute their content. The Creator's App enables users to regulate the ZV-E1 from their smartphone, and transfer images and videos captured on the camera to their phone. Additionally, the smartphone can be used to check the camera's battery and media status, as well as edit dates and camera names as required. The Creator's App also offers an easy method to update the camera software.

Designed With Sustainability In Mind

Sony's commitment to sustainability is reflected in the development of the ZV-E1 camera, which has been designed with eco-friendliness in mind. For instance, the camera features a new windscreen that is made of fibers from recycled PET bottles, which reduces Sony's environmental impact while maintaining full functionality. Additionally, the camera's outer packaging is environmentally conscious and recyclable, made from bamboo, sugar cane, and recycled paper using Sony's "Original Blend Material." The product bags are also made from plant-based non-woven fabrics to minimize Sony's environmental footprint. Furthermore, the ZV-E1 includes accessibility features such as screen reader functionality for the visually impaired, which allows anyone to enjoy using the camera for shooting and playback.

Price and Availability

In the United States, the Sony ZV-E1 is scheduled to hit the market in May 2023 and will be sold at various authorized Sony dealerships. The estimated retail price for the camera is $2,199.99 USD. Customers can also opt for a kit that includes a compact full-frame 28-60 mm F4.5-5.6 zoom lens, which will be available for an estimated retail price of $2,499.99 USD. Stay tuned for updates about Sony ZV-E1's price and availability in the Philippines.