Sony has excitedly announced a full-frame, interchangeable lens camera brilliantly designed to give creators the ultimate video and content creation tool. Welcome, the new Sony ZV-E1! Positioned in Sony’s ZV vlog camera line-up, the ZV-E1 boasts a 12MP full-frame image sensor, Sony’s latest BIONZ XR image processing engine, and a dedicated AI (artificial intelligence) processing unit. With over 70 compatible Sony E-mount lenses along with other advanced technologies for capturing cinematic imagery with rich colours, low noise and high precision, the ZV-E1 is the world’s most compact, lightweight full-frame interchangeable lens camera, offering outstanding mobility, and refined operation, giving creators maximum freedom and mobility!
The new Sony ZV-E1 is a dedicated content creation camera featuring a 35mm full-frame back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R™ sensor and approximately 12.1 effective megapixels, with eight times more processing power than previous Sony processors. The new BIONZ XR™ image processing engine markedly boosts high-sensitivity performance, gradation rendering, colour reproduction, and low-noise performance.The data generated by the image sensor can be processed in real time, even when shooting 4K and also contributes significantly to improved AF speed and precision. High-quality 4K video can be recorded with full pixel readout at 10-bit 4:2:2, without the need for pixel binning and with very high speed to minimize rolling shutter. Users can upgrade from 4K 60p to 4K 120pv through the Creators’ Cloud for extraordinarily smooth 5x (max.) slow-motion imagery. Direct playback for video in slow or quick motion in the S&Q mode boasts outstanding image quality. With 15+ stops of latitude, it’s possible to capture natural-looking images in a wide variety of lighting to capture natural-looking images even in exceptionally low light situations, without losing highlight or shadow detail.
Using Cinematic Vlog Settings, the ZV-E1 can create standout content with the cinematic look of feature movies. By choosing an appropriate Look, Mood and AF transition speed, anyone can create cinematic footage that ideally matches the scene and creative intent. The overall cinematic feel is further enhanced by a 24 fps frame rate and the widescreen Cinemascope aspect ratio (2.35:1). For a truly cinematic look, the ZV-E1 features S-Cinetone, a unique Sony feature which can create a cinematic look straight out of the camera without post-processing. Based on Sony’s Cinema Line technology, S-Cinetone delivers natural mid-tones that are essential to healthy-looking skin colour to deliver cinematic quality. Ten Creative Looks, including numerous new Creative Looks, are provided as presets.
The ZV-E1 features a dedicated, powerful AI (artificial intelligence) processing unit that leverages Sony’s technologies to uniquely overcome the challenges of self-taken footage faced by solo creators. By using AI human recognition, newly developed features of Multiple Face Recognition, Auto Framing, Framing Stabilizer and even Auto Microphone directivity have now become possible. For the first time, the ZV-E1 allows for true self-taken footage and even minimizes or eliminates the need for a second shooter. Real-time Recognition AF incorporates an innovative AI processing unit that uses subject form data to accurately recognize movement to recognize not just eyes, but body and head position, making it possible to lock onto and track a subject facing away from the camera. The AI processing unit can even differentiate between multiple subjects having different postures and recognition of individual faces so that tracking reliability is achieved in challenging situations such as when a subject’s face is tilted, in shadow, or backlit. In addition to Human and Animal, the AI processing unit now makes it possible to recognize Bird, Insect, Car/Train and Airplane subjects, providing even greater flexibility and reliability when shooting both stills and video. The ZV-E1 features Multiple Face Recognition which automatically adjusts bokeh and focus on multiple recognized faces when shooting group selfies or group portraits. This prevents problems like only the faces in the front being in focus while others further back are out of focus. Breathing Compensation suppresses image shifts when focusing to maintain a consistent angle of view and achieve smooth focusing effects.
The ZV-E1 features AI-based Real-time Tracking that can be activated by specifying the subject and half-pressing the shutter button. The camera will then automatically track the subject, leaving the user free to concentrate on framing and composition. The new camera has a fast Hybrid AF for fast acquisition and tenacious tracking as well detailed AF settings for ultimate precision and control. Another new feature of the ZV-E1 is the AI-based Auto Framing for video, which is ideal for recording interviews, music performances, cooking, and much more. Using AI-based subject recognition technology, the Auto Framing feature automatically crops the frame to the user’s desired level, keeping the subject in a prominent position when shooting video.
A compact, 5-axis stabilization unit and gyro sensors with optimized algorithms achieve up to 5.0-step stabilization. The in-body image stabilization of the camera provides effective stabilization with a wide range of lenses, including E-mount lenses that do not include their own stabilization. Dynamic active Mode stabilization is approximately 30% more effective than what Active Mode provides, making it easier than ever to shoot smooth, stable footage while moving around for bold, dynamic expression. The ZV-E1 also boasts a Framing Stabilizer that uses advanced AI-based subject recognition in conjunction with the camera’s Dynamic active mode image stabilization to automatically keep the subject’s position in the frame constant. The camera also features a Bokeh Switch for one-touch background bokeh enhancement as well as the Product Showcase Setting that is in the rest of the Sony ZV line, designed for product review videos and allowing users to smoothly switch focus from the presenter’s face to a product and back.
The ZV-E1 features a high-performance 3-capsule microphone with variable directivity to optimize clear and crisp audio recordings. Front, all directions, and rear directivity settings are available to match a variety of environments, and for the first time, automatically switches to a direction in line with face recognition, so users can easily make optimal recordings. The new Auto setting allows
The ZV-E1 can record 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally when using Long GOP or All Intra compression, supports internal intra-frame (All-I) recording and XAVC HS format recording using the MPEG-H HEVC/H.265 codec provides approximately doubled efficiency. The camera has Flexible ISO, which 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 so users can create specific looks when shooting in modes other than one of the preset Log modes. The ZV-E1 records image stabilization and camera rotation metadata that can be useful when editing in the free Catalyst Browse desktop application, paid Catalyst Prepare desktop application or plugin as users can quickly and precisely stabilize footage during editing. Lens breathing compensation can be applied during editing.
Designed for ease of use, the ZV-E1 has a side-opening vari-angle, 3-inch type 1.07M dot LCD Screen for easy monitoring, a touch function while recording and control layout and a grip optimized for content creation. The new camera features uninterrupted power for extended recording with Sony’s high-capacity Z battery and USB PD (Power Delivery) that supports fast charging. The ZV-E1 also features a dust and moisture-resistant design. Creators can connect and share content easily with Sony’s newly announced Creator’s Cloud platform and easy smartphone connection. The Creator’s App can be used to control the ZV-E1 from the smartphone, and transfer stills and videos shot on the camera to the smartphone. Camera battery and media status can be monitored from the smartphone, and the date and camera names can be edited as needed. The Creator’s App also provides a convenient way to update camera software.
For more information and to pre-order the Sony ZV-E1, click here!
Want a closer look at the ZV-E1? Check out Gerald Undone’s review below!
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