THE NEW Sony ZV-E10 MARK II
Jul 15, 2024The ZV-E10 Mark II has certainly made waves among content creators eagerly awaiting a small, compact camera that still packs a punch in image quality. The burning question on everyone's mind, however, is whether this camera is a worthwhile investment for those who have been patiently waiting for their go-to filming gear.
Often, after a camera's release, there's a cycle of hype followed by disappointment and grievances from real users who have integrated it into their content creation workflows. Having put the ZV-E10 Mark II through its paces across various filming applications and lighting conditions, I am well-equipped to provide an informed opinion.
As an owner of the original ZV-E10 for nearly three years, transitioning to the ZV-E10 Mark II was seamless. Since the ZV-E10 initial release in September 2021, there have been numerous inquiries circling the ZV-E10 Mark II. Finally hitting the shelves in July 2024, it was quickly met with reviews from our beloved YouTube content creators. Luckily, I had the opportunity to test a unit from Sony, absent any financial compensation, to address some of the burning questions surrounding this model.
Although Sony graciously loaned me the camera, I do not have ownership of it, nor am I being remunerated for this review. However, during my time with it, I meticulously examined its features and pushed its capabilities to bring you the necessary insight to aid in your purchasing decision, or to guide your decision to await future releases.
USABILITY
I've been thoroughly impressed with the performance of the ZV-E10 Mark II so far. It has not encountered any significant limitations; there have been no dropped frames, corrupt files, or overheating issues even when shooting in hot environments. The camera has operated reliably without any unexpected shutdowns, making it a very dependable companion for my content creation needs.
,,,
My review is offered from the unbiased perspective of someone who may be considering their first or second camera for diverse content creation purposes.
Thanks to my extensive experience with the previous model across various video shoots, I found it easy to adapt to the new camera. Even though the ZV-E10 Mark II features a different sensor, I was able to apply similar filming principles and capture comparable shots, demonstrating its user-friendly design.
The body layout of the ZV-E10 Mark II is intuitive and easy to handle, making it a great all-in-one camera for content creators. Regardless of the type of video or niche I was filming for, I found the camera to be versatile. This is not always the case with other cameras, as some may excel in certain areas but fall short in others. The only scenario where I found the ZV-E10 Mark II less suitable is for capturing action shots, which is better suited for dedicated action cameras.
I've utilized the ZV-E10 Mark II across a wide range of applications including blogging, macro shooting, street photography, overhead product shots, slow-motion, capturing skin tones, documentary filming, and low-light scenarios. The camera consistently delivered impressive performance without any noticeable limitations, making it a flexible and reliable tool for real-world use.
However, one feature I wish the camera had is a quarter-inch mount thread on the side, allowing for easier vertical shots on a tripod or gimbal. Additionally, the white body of the camera tended to accumulate dirt quickly, although this could be resolved by using a protective cage or opting for a different color body. Furthermore, I have some reservations about the plastic doors on the side, as previous experiences with similar doors have led to durability issues and exposure to external elements.
On the positive side, I appreciate the convenience of the touch-enabled display and the ability to customize the camera's settings extensively. The presence of a physical mode button for quick switching between photo, video, and S&Q modes, coupled with ample customization options, has significantly enhanced the camera's usability for me.
The positioning of the SD card slot on the side, rather than at the bottom near the battery, has also proven to be a practical design choice, as it allows easy access to the SD card even when the camera is mounted on a gimbal or tripod. Additionally, the compact form factor of the ZV-E10 Mark II has been a major advantage, making it easier to handle and inconspicuous, particularly for one-handed shooting.
USER EXPERIENCE
When heading out to shoot with the ZV-E10 Mark II, one of the first things I consider is how it feels in my hands without any additional accessories like gimbals or cages. It's crucial for me to assess the camera's built-in stabilization and how comfortable it is to hold, especially during extended shooting sessions and in various weather conditions.
I pay close attention to any signs of overheating, especially when shooting in hot environments or at high frame rates. It's important for me to ensure that the camera remains reliable and doesn't overheat during intense shooting scenarios.
One thing that pleasantly surprised me was the similarity of the standard color profile in both the ZV-E10 Mark II and its predecessor, the ZV-E10. Personally, I'm not a fan of the standard color profile due to the oversaturation and the inaccuracies in skin tones. However, I was able to address this by applying a custom picture profile, specifically the cine2 picture profile that I had previously developed for the ZV-E10. This allowed me to achieve more realistic skin tones and colors, with only minimal post-production color grading.
In terms of picture profiles, I found the S-Cinetone profile to be my go-to choice for this camera. This feature, found in Sony cameras, is designed to produce videos resembling those seen in higher-level productions, offering rich and vibrant colors with smooth transitions. It eliminates the need for extensive post-production work to enhance the visual quality of the footage.
When it comes to stabilization, I often utilize a gimbal to achieve a cinematic look and minimize the need for post-production stabilization. Additionally, using a gimbal allows me to turn off the camera's active stabilization, which can result in a significant crop when enabled. By deploying the gimbal, I can maintain the full image without any crop and still achieve a stabilized look, albeit with improved stability compared to the camera's built-in active stabilization, especially during walking sequences and photography shots.
Speaking of frame rates and resolutions, my primary choices include 1080p at 120 fps and 4K at 60 fps. I opt for the ACHS 4K format at 100 Mbps, 4:2:0, 10-bit settings, as this setup has consistently prevented overheating issues. However, I noticed that the 1080p footage was not as sharp as expected, which influenced my decision-making when choosing between 1080p and 4K resolutions.
One aspect to consider is the crop factor when shooting with an APS-C camera, which impacts the effective focal length of the lens and the field of view. Depending on the specific shooting scenarios, understanding these considerations is essential for selecting the right lens and achieving the desired shots.
Understanding and considering these factors has significantly influenced my shooting approach and lens selection, allowing me to capture the best possible footage with the ZV-E10 Mark II.
Overall, the ZV-E10 Mark II has proven to be a versatile and reliable camera for diverse content creation needs, offering impressive functionality with a few minor considerations.
For ease of purchase find linked the cameras I spoke about above as well as a some lenses I recommend and a video I created comparing the Sony ZV-E10 II and the ZV-E10.
Hope you enjoy as much as I have!
Purchase the Sony ZVE-10 II - https://geni.us/ignAV
Purchase the Sony ZVE-10 - https://geni.us/HG2gQp
SONY ZV-E10 II vs. ZV-E10 - Which Camera is Right for YOU? - https://youtu.be/qxXDcrUK5MQ?si=Dercbf9sKlZNyojz&t=1
Best Budget Cameras for Beginners in 2024 - https://youtu.be/490sEFqmwXE?si=H8DFY2nIlZtZAXio
