I’ve seen the hype around Sony’s newest compact mirrorless and have always been intrigued, so when I was asked to give it a spin, I said yes without hesitation. Billed as a content creator’s dream, the ZV-E10 II Mirrorless Camera gives you balanced video and photo improvements for all of your content needs. Under the hood, the camera features a 26MP APS-C sensor and a 759-point phase detection autofocus system. It also boasts a 3-capsule directional microphone, a 3” articulating LCD touchscreen, and an integrated tally light—all in a compact form factor. I was also given two Sony SD cards to use during my review—the 128GB SF-E Series UHS-II SDHC Memory Card and the 128GB SF-G TOUGH Series UHS-II SDXC Memory Card—both of which easily accommodate the maximum UHD 4K60 resolution video that the ZV-E10 II can record.
My personal camera that I received freshman year of college and has captured Intro to Photography assignments, B-roll footage for my documentary thesis film, and portraits from a short-lived-yet-lucrative photography side hustle is the Canon Rebel T3i. I have not reached for it since these college days, probably because of its clunky DSLR size, and instead have relied on a point-and-shoot 35mm Pentax to snap photos of vacations and get-togethers. Of course, this process is far too precious for day-to-day, and often by phone is the ideal device to quickly take and post photos. With all of that in mind, I was excited to see what the ZV-E10 II could offer me as an alternative.
My first impression of the camera directly out of the box was how lightweight it was, making it easy to hold in one hand. Even with the included 16-50mm OSS II kit lens attached, the camera retains a compact profile. After ensuring the battery was fully charged and an SD card was inserted, I got to shooting right away. And what better photography subject is there than my two cats with a freshly painted orange accent wall in the background? The ZV-E10 II supports both point-and-shoot applications and advanced setting adjustments depending on your creative vision. Built-in creative shooting modes are also available for a more intuitive shooting experience. I took a few test shots to ensure the exposure looked alright and then commenced my photoshoot.
Given the fact that my subject matter featured vibrant color and stark contrast, I was a little concerned about how the environment would translate but was pleasantly surprised at the initial shots. The ZV-E10 II easily reproduces rich colors and manages direct sunlight with ease. I found the contrast and saturation of the photos aligned perfectly with the bolder look I enjoy posting to my Instagram feed. I also enjoyed the placement of the motorized zoom lever which allows you to take advantage of the kit lens’ full focal range even when operating the camera one-handed. Flip the articulating touchscreen up to take selfies and record vlogs without needing a monitor.
I showed the preliminary results to my boyfriend, and he asked me if I could send the photos of the cats to him. Every photographer experiences a feeling of dread at this request. Just imagining finding an SD card reader and starting up your computer, not to mention Airdropping or emailing the photos to yourself before they can reach their destination makes all motivation instantly leave my body. With the ZV-E10 II, this is a fear of the past. Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to transfer your photos wirelessly to your phone using the Sony Creators’ App. The app was so incredibly easy to use, and it took me just a few minutes to get the photos on my phone. I immediately was struck by how perfect this camera would be for a travel content creator. Not only could it fit inside a small sling bag while you explore a new city, but you can instantly transfer your videos and photos to your mobile device for editing and posting.
I took the camera to a housewarming party and allowed some of my film friends to take some photos and get a sense of the ZV-E10 II’s functionality. Most were struck by its compact size and the versatility of the kit lens’s focal lengths. The camera had no problem navigating the overhead lighting of the apartment and was easy to store in my purse to and from my own home.
Not only is the ZV-E10 II intuitive and lightweight, but its built-in features streamline your camera rig needs. Its 3-capsule microphone is designed to capture forward-directional audio. My notoriously vocal tuxedo cat Darcy, who was incredibly curious about the camera, didn’t even clip the audio when he meowed. The microphone’s directionality helped hide the worst of my cat-baby-talk but might be a potential hiccup for vloggers quickly transitioning from filming themselves to filming the world in front of them. Regardless, the camera comes with a furry windscreen you can attach to help mitigate wind noise while filming outside.
Overall, I found the ZV-E10 II to be a neat little camera that packs a punch with its advanced feature set. I could see myself reaching for it to capture fun events and vacations. At the end of the day, it is designed for the on-the-go creator who needs high-quality video and photo capture squeezed into a compact form factor.
Could you see yourself reaching for the ZV-E10 II? What do you look for in a mirrorless camera? Drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
