The Sony ZV-E10 II is the latest iteration of Sony’s popular vlogging camera series. Building on the success of its predecessor, the ZV-E10 II boasts several key upgrades and features that make it an attractive option for content creators. But does it live up to the hype? We put the ZV-E10 II through its paces to find out.

Thanks to Sony Singapore for extending the loan of the Sony ZV-E10 II camera body with the kit SELP16502 lens, and the FEL24F14, and FEL50f14 lenses.

Sony ZV-E10 II Review: is this the best camera content creators?

The retail price for the Sony ZV-E10 II is SGD 1,549 inclusive of GST.

As our regular readers would know, we have just revamped our YouTube channel in October, and in the lookout to improve our production. The Sony ZV-E10 II is the first camera we explored to complement the iPhones we have been using. Here is our experience with the loaner. For this review, we are mainly looking at the ZV-E10 II as a video camera. The body does not have an EVF, and though able to make still photographs, the design leans more towards video. For a fuller discussion, please refer to my Dear Santa listing for 2024, item 3.

Sony ZV-E10 II

The ZV-E10 II replaces the ZV-E as Sony’s offering in the vlogging and solo creator space. It boasts of a new sensor and processor, a bigger battery, and an updated autofocus system. It has more frame rate options, a faster sensor readout speed, and better internal video recording capabilities, including internal 10-bit 4:2:2 capture. Compared to the ZV1 II we tried on our WWG trip, the ZV-E10 II has a larger sensor and features interchangeable lenses.

Key Features

So, what makes the ZV-E10 II tick? Here are some of the camera’s key features:

• 24.2MP APS-C sensor: The ZV-E10 II boasts a 24.2MP APS-C sensor, which provides excellent image quality and a wide dynamic range.
• 4K 30p video: The camera can shoot 4K video at 30p, making it perfect for vloggers and videographers who want high-quality footage.
• 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen: The ZV-E10 II’s 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen makes it easy to frame shots and adjust settings.
• S-Log3 and HDR support: The camera supports S-Log3 and HDR, making it perfect for videographers who want to capture high-quality footage with a wide dynamic range.

Design and Build

At first glance, the ZV-E10 II’s sleek design and lightweight body make it an attractive option for content creators. Weighing in at just 343g, the camera is easy to carry around, making it perfect for vloggers and videographers who are always on-the-go. The camera’s compact size also makes it easy to stash away in a bag or pocket.

The ZV-E10 II’s build quality is also worth noting. The camera’s body is made from a sturdy combination of metal and plastic, giving it a solid feel in the hand. The camera’s controls are also well-placed and easy to access, making it easy to adjust settings on the fly. The camera’s grip is not insubstantial, but feels good to wrap the fingers around, and especially for a lightweight camera it feels quite nice on the hand. Carrying it around all day is not a big issue. However, we used the camera mostly when mounted on a tripod. The body does not offer an in body image stabilisation mode, and though three modes of stabilisation is offered, they are all electronically modes, which result in a cropped in image.

Autofocus

Two of the ZV-E10 II’s standout features are its autofocus and image stabilization systems. The camera’s autofocus is very fast. We did not try it on sports subjects, or fast moving animals, but for our use case, it is excellent.

We put the ZV-E10 II’s autofocus systems to the test by shooting a series of videos in different environments. The results were impressive, with the camera’s autofocus performing flawlessly in a variety of situations. We particularly like the Product Showcase Mode. When activated, the camera autofocus locks on to any object placed in front of the face during a talking heads video. This is demonstrated in the video below:

The FEL24F14 lens does focus rather closely, and can be useful without any additional attachments for near macro shots. Here is a demonstration with the Ulysse Nardin Freak One Navy Blue.

Video Quality

So, how does the ZV-E10 II’s video quality stack up? We shot a series of test videos in different environments to find out. The results were impressive, with the camera capturing high-quality footage with excellent colour rendition and a wide dynamic range. The bokeh at f/1.4 with the two prime lenses we had is very good.

The camera does get quite warm during recording. We did most of the recording in XAVC HS 4K using SLog3 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10bit). But on our longest recording session lasting an hour in the Singapore weather, it never shut down, or gave a high temp warning, though the camera was very warm to the touch. Battery life is ok, but if you are planning to make longer videos, you will need either another battery, or to power the camera via its USB-C port. This also means that when built up into a rig, and supplied power via the USB-C from say a V-Mount battery, the camera will last all day. We have not tried this, so will be unsure if the body will over heat after a few hours.

The final image is refined, sharp, clear with good colour rendition. We typically shoot in SLog3 and convert to Rec.709 colour space within Davinci Resolve 19. Davinci Resolve (free version) handles the files nicely, even UltraHD files at 25fps. We do not run a huge machine (base M1 McBook Air), and did not have any problems editing the files. The same machine is slow with ProRes 4:2:2 files, but manages the Slog3 10 bit 4:2:2 files from the ZV-E10 II with no issues.

Photo Quality

With its APS-C sensor with 24Mp resolution, the ZV-E10II is capable of making good photographs. 24Mp is sufficient for almost all usage cases. But as a video centric camera, it lacks an electronic view finder, which I prefer to use for shooting stills.

Conclusion

So, is the Sony ZV-E10 II the top camera choice for content creators? The answer is a resounding yes. With its excellent autofocus, high-quality video capture, and compact design, the ZV-E10 II is an excellent choice for vloggers, videographers, and content creators of all levels. The camera is usable straight out of the box, but can also be rigged up for larger productions to support accessories like top handle, side grips, additional battery support, external monitors, audio recorders and SSD for external recording.

While the camera may have a few drawbacks, such as limited battery life and no in-body image stabilisation, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Ease of use, and image quality is very very good, especially at this price point. If you’re in the market for a high-quality camera that can keep up with your content creation needs, the Sony ZV-E10 II is definitely worth considering.

The ZV-E10 II will also make an excellent B-Camera for more advanced videographers. It will complement a FX30 setup very well for a two camera setup.