I reviewed the Sony ZV-E10 and it’s the perfect vlogging upgrade from your phone

Just a quick run-through of what the ZV-E10 is all about: essentially, it’s aimed at content creators who are just getting started but want something a little more than the ZV-1, which is a superb compact camera.

For the extra money—bearing in mind you’ll need to buy a lens—you get a larger sensor, which delivers better image quality. You also gain access to the E-mount system, allowing you to use a wide range of lenses designed for Sony, both for stills and video. There are plenty of other options, too, so if you want to try something like an anamorphic lens, there are choices like the superb Morph I looked at last year.

What Sony has done here is provide a system that makes vlogging easy. Most vloggers currently edit and produce content in HD, so the inclusion of 4K is a bonus—though it is limited to 30p. If you switch to 1080p or Full HD, you can shoot at up to 120 frames per second (or 100fps in PAL), although this limits audio quality and introduces some cropping. Standard Full HD can be shot at 60fps.

So, the Sony ZV-E10 is an APS-C camera focused more on video than stills, with strong features that make it an ideal partner for content creators or vloggers looking for a reasonably priced camera to boost the quality of their productions.

I have to say that I really like the build quality of the ZV-E10. There’s something about the texture of the grip Sony has chosen for this camera that gives it a good, solid feel. Despite being a full plastic construction, rather than the metal we see on the A7C, it still feels high quality and, let’s face it, robust.

It’s compact and sturdy in the hand, but also lightweight. If you pair it with one of Sony’s smaller zoom lenses, it’s the perfect size. However, if you want to explore Sony’s wider range of E-mount lenses, those are available too. As I mentioned earlier, if you’re interested in third-party E-mount lenses from Tamron or Sigma, there are plenty of quality and affordable options out there.

If you’re familiar with Sony cameras, the layout of the ZV-E10 will feel familiar and is easy enough to navigate. That said, the same old issues with Sony’s user interface are present—it can be tricky at first, but once you get used to it, it starts to make sense.

One feature I really like is the fully articulating LCD, which flips out so you can see it from the back or rotate it to view it from the front—ideal for selfies and self-shooting. I also appreciate that Sony has done away with the EVF. There’s just no real need for a viewfinder on a camera like this. While this might not sit well with some photographers and videographers, for content creators used to smartphones, it won’t be an issue.

Looking over the body, if you’ve used one of Sony’s stills cameras, you’ll notice a lot of similarities—but here the buttons are geared more towards video, which makes sense.

Taking into consideration that the ZV-E10 is really designed for content creators and vloggers rather than photographers, there’s still a lot to like on both fronts. Whether you’re shooting stills or video, this camera will adapt. However, if you primarily want to shoot stills, the 6000 series might suit you better. If video is your focus, this is an excellent APS-C option.

Sony has refined a lot of the features here. Real-time Eye and Face AF is superb—arguably the best on the market right now. It tracks movement across the frame very well, and if a subject passes behind an object, the focus usually keeps up.

A few standout features include the Background Defocus button, which has clearly been designed for users moving from smartphones to interchangeable lens cameras. With one touch, it mimics the portrait or cinematic modes you’d find on an iPhone or Android.

Another thoughtful addition is the Product Showcase AF mode. This prioritises objects over faces and eyes, so if you’re showing off tech or products to the camera, it will shift focus to the item instead of staying locked on your face—ideal for YouTubers and social media creators.

There’s also a built-in directional three-capsule mic that does a decent job of capturing audio. Like most mirrorless or DSLR cameras, audio is limited to 16-bit. For higher quality, it’s worth investing in a wireless mic. Even though the bit rate remains the same, the sound quality will be noticeably better.

Another great feature is the ability to live stream via the USB port. Just plug it in, and your software should recognise it instantly as a webcam. It’s a simple integration that adds flexibility and expands the camera’s usefulness.

Getting started with the ZV-E10 was really nice and easy. Sony has clearly thought about usability, and for the most part, the external design of the camera is relatively simple. There’s the usual shutter button on top, a couple of mode dials, and a series of buttons on the back—but really, most of the rear is taken up by the large LCD screen.

You can use the physical buttons or the touchscreen to quickly navigate the settings, and the camera displays useful overlays to help you shoot better higher-quality footage. One feature I particularly like is the number of ports on the side of the camera. You can easily plug in external microphones and monitor audio, which is an essential feature for anyone creating regular content.

The quality of the footage is impressive, especially considering the price of the body. The 4K video—limited to 30 frames per second—is excellent, thanks to oversampling from 6K. That processing gives the footage a sharp, detailed look. Of course, video quality also depends heavily on the lens you’re using. During testing, I paired the camera with the G Master 35mm f/1.4, and the 50mm f/1.2, and the results were superb. Thanks to the APS-C sensor, you also get a natural crop, which can help increase background blur and give you that desirable shallow depth-of-field look.

I was less impressed with the built-in microphone. It’s better than many but still has that slightly tinny quality you’d expect from an onboard mic. Thankfully, the camera includes a 3.5mm mic input, so there’s really no reason not to use an external mic—which will significantly improve your overall audio quality and enhance your productions.

Battery life was a concern, especially after using the ZV-1, but I was pleased to find the ZV-E10 uses the larger NP-FW50 battery. This substantially improves recording time, lasting between an hour and an hour and a half, depending on the settings and conditions. Still, as with any content creation setup, carrying an extra battery is highly recommended.

One omission I did notice was the lack of a built-in ND filter. While this isn’t common on most mirrorless cameras, it was present on the ZV-1. Given that the ZV-E10 is part of the same content creator-focused range, it would have been a welcome feature. A built-in ND would have elevated this camera above many other video-focused models in Sony’s lineup.

Overall, the ZV-E10 performs exceptionally well. It’s a simple, user-friendly camera, and it’s clear that Sony has carefully considered how people will transition from using smartphones to using a more capable interchangeable lens system. If you’re after pure simplicity, the ZV-1 is ideal—but if you want more creative flexibility, the ability to switch lenses, and better overall performance, the ZV-E10 is a strong upgrade.

After testing, I have to say I’m highly impressed with the Sony ZV-E10. Given the choice between this and the ZV-1, I’d definitely go for the ZV-E10 due to the ability to change lenses. It allows for greater creativity, and as someone currently fascinated by anamorphic lenses, I find this camera suits that interest perfectly.

For its intended audience, it’s ideal for entry-level vloggers or content creators. It’s clearly aimed at those upgrading from a smartphone to a dedicated mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses, and in that context, it’s superb. If you’re more used to traditional cameras, the lack of a viewfinder may be an issue, but for smartphone users who already rely on screens, it feels like a natural step forward.

There are plenty of useful features here, though. To be honest, many content creators care less about an exhaustive feature list and more about whether the camera can shoot in slow motion or 4K—and it can. It offers Full HD slow motion at up to 100 or 120fps (without sound) and shoots 4K at 30fps. The quality of this footage is excellent, giving creators lots of scope to produce the kind of content they want.

The camera is also lightweight and clearly designed with video as the primary focus. Compared to using a stills camera for video, this feels far more finely tuned—especially considering its compact size and reasonable price.

All in all, the ZV-E10 is an excellent starter camera for content creators. It also works well as a second camera for those already using more expensive kit. My only real wishes are for a slightly higher frame rate at 4K, built-in ND filters, and perhaps the inclusion of log modes.