Sony – Alpha ZV-E10 Kit Mirrorless Vlog Camera with 16-50mm Lens – Black

The Sony αZV-E10 (Model: ILCZVE10L/B) is custom tailored for vlogging, both in its controls and software, but it is also an extremely impressive still camera and is an outstanding piece of equipment, overall.
The Sony αZV-E10 offers a stellar array of features and functionality and excellent specifications. This mirrorless, interchangeable lens, APS-C sensor camera is terrific. It is a robust and flexible camera with outstanding hardware and excellent interchangeable lenses.
The αZV-E10 is compact in size and light in weight, making it easy and convenient to carry and use.
The Sony αZV-E10 vlog camera takes the best features and functionality of the Sony ZV-1 fixed lens, 20 megapixel vlog camera and incorporates them with the backbone of the Sony α6100 interchangeable lens, 24.2 megapixel camera. This new hybridized model is refined and customized with additional, specialized features for vlogging, delivering much of the best of both models.
The αZV-E10 sensor is a 24.2 megapixel, APS-C, Exmor CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.6 mm (not full frame). The αZV-E10 has powerful and outstanding Auto-Focus and Auto-Exposure functionality and offers vloggers and photographers complete exposure control with more than a dozen exposure modes, five focus modes, thirteen picture effect modes and seven creative style modes.
The αZV-E10 has an incredible array of digital imaging capabilities. The Auto-Focus system is fantastic; possibly the best available. With 425 auto-focus points, real-time eye AF (human and animal) and real-time tracking that genuinely performs as described and as expected, it truly excels, and exceeds most other cameras. Exposure control with the 1200 zone evaluative metering system which operates in center-weighted, spot metering and full-screen modes is absolutely outstanding. The αZV-E10 has Sony’s advanced image processor, the Bionz X, which is the underpinning of the excellent image rendition, with accurate color rendition, including skin tones.
The αZV-E10 image formats range through 14 bit (compressed) RAW providing for excellent post-production editing capability. The αZV-E10 shoots video at resolutions of up to 4k (oversampled from 6k), and offers a wide range of frame rates (allowing for a variety of slow or fast motion shooting), image sizes and compression schemes. Video functions also include multiple cinema profiles including HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) and S-Log3/2. The αZV-E10 includes a dedicated Still/Movie/S&Q button to shoot 4x slow motion video, or 60x quick motion.
The αZV-E10 also features a dedicated top panel button to control background blurring. This button instantly toggles between a clearly focused background, and a defocused, blurred background (bokeh effect). A unique new “Product Showcase” feature has been added for vloggers. One button depression toggles the feature which instantly shifts focus from the vloggers face to whatever object (product) is extended directly in front of the camera for close-up. Occasionally, this feature required a few attempts before it would shift focus to relatively small items.
Audio quality from the three capsule directional microphone on the top panel is excellent. Sony thoughtfully includes a “dead cat” (synthetic fur) wind screen which is helpful when shooting outdoors. The Multi-Interface Hot Shoe supports digital audio with external microphones, as well as flash units. There is also a 3.5mm input jack for an external microphone, and another 3.5mm output jack for headphones to monitor audio recording. The mike jack is behind a plastic door which candidly appears very delicate and feels as if it will break off quite easily.
I miss the built-in flash of the α6100. For still photography flash is essential in low-light conditions, but it is also extremely important in marginal light conditions and shadows where having fill-in flash is invaluable.
The αZV-E10 is equipped with an articulating 3” TFT, LCD touchscreen which rotates from the left of the camera body. While it is essential for vlogging, it is also valuable for low-angle shots and high-angle shots. The αZV-E10 also supports shooting video in vertical orientation. In addition to the red tally light on the camera body, the touchscreen illuminates a highly visible red border when recording, which is perfect for vlogging.
The only performance deficiency that I encountered was that of minor rolling shutter effects, particularly during fast pans in 4k, which is common with CMOS sensor cameras. Touchscreen functionality is still limited and is not available for the multilayer menus.
The αZV-E10 lacks the electronic viewfinder that I enjoy on the α6100. Although a viewfinder may not be considered a necessity for vlogging, it is extremely useful in both still photography and some videography, particularly when using long lenses. Handheld shooting with a telephoto lens benefits from the more stable shooting platform achieved when the camera is supported at three points including hands and face, with bent arms braced on the photographer’s body. This is particularly important when framing the shot, and in holding the frame. An electronic viewfinder (EVF) is also essential when checking or correcting focus and when manually adjusting focus.
If your intended use of the αZV-E10 is exclusively for vlogging you may not miss the flash or viewfinder, but the αZV-E10 is much more than a single-purpose vlogging camera. It is an incredibly powerful, flexible and competent digital imaging video and still camera.
A strap is included, but a rear lens cap for the kit lens and a body cap are not.
The memory card specifications for on-board image storage is SDXC UHS-I or II, V30, U3, C10. The αZV-E10 has 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth for file transfer, remote camera control and integration with the Sony GPVPT2BT Shooting Grip with Wireless Remote Commander, which is a versatile and useful accessory that I use for both handheld shooting and for tabletop tripod functionality.
The addition of the αZV-E10 to my gear locker has enabled me to undertake dual camera videos. I have both the αZV-E10 and the α6100 mounted to GPVPT2BT Shooting Grips. Both cameras can be stationary on their GPVPT2BT tripods, or one can be stationary with the other utilized handheld, and either can be easily and quickly transitioned between tripod and handheld.
With the customized controls and features which are tailored for vlogging, and the additional benefit of electronic image stabilization (not IBIS), the αZV-E10 is my primary camera for handheld shooting, while the α6100 shoots B-roll from its tripod.
The controls and software are very robust, with many options and settings which afford complete creative control over this very powerful, yet compact camera. The online documentation and help files are excellent and comprehensive. The PDF “Help Guide” is an impressive 577 pages.
The αZV-E10, is compatible with all Sony E-Mount lenses. The kit lens is the SELP1650, 16-50mm (35mm equivalent focal length 24-75mm), f/3.5 – 5.6, power zoom lens with Optical Steady-Shot (OSS) image stabilization which is further enhanced by the cameras digital zoom. Zoom can also be controlled with the dedicated zoom lever on the shutter button, and programmable zoom speed (range 1-8).
My new favorite lens to carry as my second lens is the outstanding Sony SEL70350G, 70-350mm, (35mm equivalent focal length 105-525mm), f/4.5 – 6.3, OSS zoom lens. With this excellent zoom telephoto lens and the kit lens, a great range of shooting environments are accommodated with only two, compact and relatively lightweight lenses.
The αZV-E10 is supplied with one NP-FW50 battery pack, which utilizes in-camera charging. An external battery charger, and additional battery packs are available as accessories. The in-camera recharge time is approximately a couple of hours, but battery life is excellent.
The αZV-E10 can run hot during lengthy video recording sessions. The internal thermal protection sensor shut down the camera after about 50 minutes of 1080p recording, and after about 30 minutes of 4k recording.
Sony Alpha cameras have proven themselves to be excellent, well-respected cameras. The Sony αZV-E10 is just such a camera.
I am genuinely enjoying using the αZV-E10. The feature set and exposure controls are so extensive and robust, that any videography / photography utilization is very well supported. In automated modes, the αZV-E10 is in virtual control of the photography and can be trusted to produce excellent images and videos of professional quality, with simplified, automated ease of use. The αZV-E10 will fire at 11 fps, bracket exposures and shoot with a 1/4000 sec. shutter speed. Low light shooting is excellent. The ISO standard/normal range is 32,000 and an expanded ISO range of an incredible 51,200 is available.
Video capabilities are beyond extensive, including Cinema Picture Modes. The customized vlogging controls, features and functionality tailor this camera for optimized vlogging.
The camera hardware seems to be high-quality. The lens mount is metal, and lens lockup is solid. The αZV-E10 body is plastic but is not fully dust and weather sealed. It is sleek and elegant, and feels good when handled.
The Sony αZV-E10 is really an excellent camera. It is extremely capable and produces excellent videos and photographs. I am enjoying the αZV-E10 immensely. The size, weight and outstanding features and technical capabilities of the αZV-E10 really make it an excellent camera for many applications, and render it the perfect, optimized vlogging camera. Of course I recommend this impressive camera very highly!

Awesome first little camera. I was torn between getting this guy and the Canon M50 MkII, but after careful consideration I decided to go with the Sony ZV-E10. Battery life works great on this thing, even when recording in 4K 30FPS, but I would still always suggest getting a battery plate and picking up a few Sony NPF batteries if you’re planning to make long vlogs with this camera and don’t anticipate having easy access to wall sockets. Great thing is that you can also use a hefty power bank as well since it also charges through USB C. If you’re torn between the Sony ZV1 and the Sony ZV-E10, I’d strongly suggest putting down the extra $50 in order to get the interchangeable lenses, since it’s more than worth it in the long run. I just picked up the Sigma 16mm F1.4 for it and I absolutely love the shots I get on this thing.