Sony is on a roll in relation to producing among the greatest video cameras for YouTubers – and the brand new Sony ZV-E1 may very well be its greatest full-frame sidekick but for content material creators.

Like a cross between the pro-friendly Sony A7S III and the travel-sized Sony A7C, the ZV-E1 is a 12MP full-frame vlogging digital camera with highly effective video options. These embrace the power to shoot 4K/60p video with 10-bit 4:2:2 colour depth, plus some spectacular new AI-powered options.

Because of the identical Bionz XR processor and separate AI chipset that we noticed on the Sony A7R V, the ZV-E1 has a spread of latest instruments that can assist you maintain topics within the middle of your body – solely this time, they’re designed extra for video than stills.

For instance, an ‘Auto framing’ mode crops into the body round your chosen topic (which you’ll be able to decide by touching the display) then tracks that topic across the un-cropped body, like an AI-powered digital camera operator. 

One other helpful mode for video shooters is ‘Body stabilizer’, which retains your topic within the middle of the body as you stroll alongside them, appearing like a digital gimbal. This once more comes on the expense of a crop, however seems to be like a helpful device for vloggers preferring the ‘walk-and-talk’ video model.

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In each modes, you can too select from three totally different crops of your topic (for instance, higher physique or full physique). It’s also possible to concurrently report the complete, uncropped body by way of an HDMI output to an exterior recorder akin to an Atomos Ninja, an possibility that would save video creators a lot of time in post-production.

As you’d anticipate from a Sony digital camera, autofocus is one other energy of the ZV-E1. It has improved topic recognition and monitoring, which works when your topic is going through away from you, and the ZV-E1 may also acknowledge birds, automobiles, planes and even bugs.

There’s additionally a brand new autofocus characteristic that we have not seen earlier than known as ‘A number of face recognition’. This can mechanically shut down the aperture if an extra particular person enters your body, to assist maintain everybody in focus.

When it comes to pure video grunt, the ZV-E1 can be essentially the most highly effective mannequin in Sony’s ‘ZV’ lineup, which incorporates alternate options just like the Sony ZV-E10. It might probably shoot 4K/60p video in 10-bit 4:2:2, whereas a firmware replace that is coming in June will unlock 4K/120p and Full HD/240p slo-mo modes.

The ZV-E1 can be Sony’s smallest full-frame digital camera with in-body picture stabilization, and may livestream in 4K/30p decision (or Full HD in 60p). With profiles like S-Cinetone and S-Log additionally on board for colour graders, it is shaping as much as be somewhat powerhouse.

Naturally, all of this does not come low-cost, with the Sony ZV-E1 that can be purchased body-only in April for €2,700 (round $2,930 / £2,380 / AU$4,930), or in a package lens bundle with the 28-60mm package lens for €3,000 ($3,255 / £2,640 / AU$4,875).

Evaluation: Sony’s new video candy spot

In our temporary time with the Sony ZV-E1 up to now we have been actually impressed – it is shaping as much as be the most effective YouTube cameras round, albeit with a comparatively premium price ticket.

These new AI-powered options are its headline characteristic. They are not good – for instance, we did have a number of points with utilizing ‘Auto framing’ handheld when indoors in low gentle. However when taking pictures outdoors, the monitoring was wonderful, and it is an incredible new device for solo video shooters who like the thought of getting a digital digital camera operator.

Professional shooters may also recognize the power to connect an exterior monitor to the ZV-E1 and concurrently seize each the cropped and uncropped movies. That makes it simple to chop between the 2 throughout post-production and will cut back modifying time considerably.

With the identical 12MP BSI (backside-illuminated) sensor because the Sony FX3 and Sony A7S III – and a future firmware replace unlocking a 4K/120p mode – the ZV-E1 is a pro-level device that is additionally approachable sufficient for much less skilled video creators.

Whereas it is not low-cost, the ZV-E1 is significantly cheaper than the Sony FX3 ($3,900 / £4,200 / AU$6,699), which implies we will definitely see it forcing its manner right into a excessive place in our information to one of the best Sony cameras. We’ll convey you our remaining verdict very quickly.