Sony ZV-E10 II review: A powerful camera for creators held back by overheating

When the original Sony ZV-E10 model first hit the market, it proved itself worthy of content creators’ hard-earned dollars. With impressive low-light performance and equally impressive dynamic range, the Sony ZV-E10 delivered on value. However, the camera wasn’t without its quirks. Our tests showed that the ZV-E10 had incredibly lackluster image stabilization, along with bad wind noise reduction and no touchscreen menu navigation. Now, with the release of the Sony ZV-E10 II, Sony has the opportunity to improve on the ZV-E10’s strong foundation.

So, has Sony improved on the original ZV-E10’s shortcomings with the Sony ZV-E10 II? Also, does the ZV-E10 II bring more value to the table to justify an upgrade? The answer for both is yes and no. Let’s discuss.

Camera overview

The camera’s sensor

First up, let’s review what’s powering the Sony ZV-E10 II. Inside, the ZV-E10 II houses a 26 MP APS-C Exmor R CMOS sensor. This is a minimal boost in pixels compared to the original ZV-E10’s 24.2 MP APS-C Exmor CMOS. The other difference here is the ZV-E10 II has an Exmor R sensor, while the previous model has an Exmor sensor. Exmor R sensors use a back-illuminated structure and rearrange how Exmor sensors are constructed to prevent light obstruction from the sensor’s wiring layer. This allows Sony to make smaller sensors with higher resolutions without decreasing the sensors’ light sensitivity. To summarize, Exmor R sensors allow Sony to make a lighter, more compact camera that delivers higher image quality than Exmor cameras.

However, having a 26 MP APS-C Exmor R CMOS sensor does mean you have to deal with a 1.5x crop factor. Fortunately, this isn’t a problem. You just have to make sure to choose lenses that compensate for the crop. For example, if you want to shoot at 35 mm, you’ll need to use a 24 mm lens to get a 35 mm field of view because of the crop factor.

Video shooting specs

Now it’s time to discuss the camera’s video specs. The ZV-E10 II has made some improvements in this department, now being able to shoot video up to 4K 60p in 10-bit 4:2:2 at 100 Mbps. The ZV-E10 also shot 4K 60p video but was limited to 8-bit. Essentially, this means that the ZV-E10 II can capture 64 times more color information than the original. So, overall, the camera can capture a more color-rich image now.

For slow-motion capture, the ZV-E10 II can record at 120 frames per second in HD. This is sufficient for capturing smooth, slow-motion shots.

Dynamic range

The ZV-E10 II brings a boost to dynamic range as well. Using our DSC Labs Zyla 21 chart, we put the ZV-E10 II to the test. We used a backlight and incrementally darker shaded bars to see how much dynamic range the camera offers. During our tests, we see 13 stops of dynamic range. This is about a 1-stop increase from the ZV-E10. 13 stops of dynamic range is impressive, especially at the ZV-E10 II’s price range. In fact, it’s one of the camera’s biggest strengths. For under $1,000, you can get a 13-stop camera. If you wanted to get into higher dynamic range levels (15+ stops), you would need to expect to pay at least double, if not triple.

Touchscreen

A major gripe we had with the ZV-E10 was that, while it has a touchscreen LCD, it didn’t have touchscreen menu navigation. This is a major pain for vloggers because if they’re in front of the camera and need to change a menu function, they would have to flip the camera and change their shot to do so. Fortunately, the ZV-E10 II doesn’t suffer the same fate. The camera comes with a 3.0-inch touchscreen LCD that offers menu touchscreen control.

Also, the LCD screen can be adjusted for vertical shooting, which is a major plus for creators making content for TikTok or other platforms with short-form content.

Autofocus

For autofocus, the ZV-E10 II features a 759-point Fast Hybrid Phase Detection AF system, almost double the phase detection points offered on the ZV-E10. We were really impressed with the accuracy and speed of the system. Specifically, we noticed how well the camera kept subjects in focus. And, just like the original ZV-E10, the ZV-E10 II’s Product Showcase option worked really well. In this mode, we were able to quickly shift focus to objects held up to the camera without any frustration.

Audio capture

The ZV-E10 II comes with a directional three-capsule mic. This allows the camera to capture audio from in front or behind the camera. It’s a flexible type of microphone that can adapt to different recording scenarios. While this is helpful for vloggers or on-the-go creators, it’s still best to use an external microphone to record your audio. Thankfully, the camera comes with a 1/8-inch / 3.5 mm TRS stereo microphone input, so you can use a wide variety of microphones with the ZV-E10 II. Additionally, the camera features a 1/8-inches / 3.5 mm TRS stereo headphone output jack. This is a great feature to have at this price point. With this jack, you can monitor your audio as you’re recording to make sure it sounds good before you hit the editing room.

What we like about the Sony ZV-E10 II

Good image quality for professionals

The ZV-E10 II excels in terms of image quality. With the ability to record 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit internally, the ZV-E10 II’s shooting capability is quite impressive for its price point. When shooting 4K video, the ZV-E10 II oversamples its recording at 5.6K. So, while it shoots at 4K, it will offer you more details and a sharper image than 4K video that isn’t oversampled at a higher resolution. Plus, you end up with richer color information to work with in post-production.

On the topic of color, Sony includes S-Cinetone, S-Log3 and S-Gamut3.Cine color profiles on the ZV-E10 II, as it does with all of its cameras — and that’s not a bad thing. These color profiles allow you to extend your color grading options and make your footage look more cinematic. The ZV-E10 II also allows you to import your own LUTs, enabling you to preview your footage with a customized look, which is helpful when trying to keep your color grading consistent.

For creative options, the ZV-E10 II includes ten Creative Look modes and S&Q modes for in-camera slow motion and timelapse videos. These provide ample opportunities to experiment with different styles and effects. The camera also comes with shot assists like focus peaking and adjustable zebras that help you nail your manual focus and exposure settings when on location.

Great design for those on the go

Most content creators need a camera they can take on the go, especially if that content creator vlogs. So, if the ZV-E10 II is going to be a go-to choice for creators, it needs to be portable. Thankfully, the ZV-E10 II is both compact and lightweight. In total, the ZV-E10 II weighs only 377 grams, including the battery and SD card. While the ZV-E10 II is technically heavier than the ZV-E10, it’s still highly portable and is great for on-the-go shooting.

Beyond its portability, the camera also makes remote control and quick content sharing easier. It offers interfacing capabilities, including file transfer and start/stop recording. So, for content creators who want to share their content quickly, the ZV-E10 II makes the process easier.

Good layout

We love the ZV-E10 II’s button layout. Throughout our time with the camera, we have had no issues with accessing any of the controls. The button locations and assignments are well thought out; all essential controls are easily accessible and reassignable for customization.

Great touchscreen function

As we said above, the ZV-E10 II now supports menu navigation using the touchscreen. After using the articulating touchscreen, we found it to be quite useful. With touch tracking and menu control, the touchscreen function is quite convenient. We were able to quickly adjust our camera’s settings and quickly focus on our subject.

Good audio capture with its three-capsule mic

The Sony ZV-E10 II features an enhanced three-capsule directional microphone that significantly improves audio quality over the last model, capturing clear sound from multiple directions.

We put the microphone to the test to see how it performs in different modes:

First, we tested the mic in auto mode, standing in front of the camera. The sound was clear and well-balanced, which is ideal for typical vlogging scenarios. Switching to front mode, we noticed the mic was more focused on capturing our voice, with subtle differences in tone and clarity compared to auto mode. This mode is particularly useful when you want to ensure that your voice is the primary sound being recorded.

Next, we tested the rear mode while facing away from the camera. Surprisingly, the mic maintained a good level of clarity. This means it’s effective for situations where you’re narrating or commenting on something from behind the camera. This could be particularly useful when demonstrating products or scenes without needing to be in front of the lens.

Finally, we tried out the mic in all-directions mode. While it did a solid job of capturing audio from every angle, we noticed it also picked up more reflections from the space than we would have liked. This mode is versatile but might require some post-production work to reduce unwanted ambient noise.

Overall, we were impressed with the audio quality capture of the ZV-E10 II’s three-capsule directional microphone, particularly its performance when recording from behind the camera. It’s a versatile tool for vloggers, though the all-directions mode might be best reserved for specific shooting situations where ambient sound is less of a concern.

Great features for content creators

If it wasn’t already apparent that this camera was made for content creators, it also has a vertically rotating interface. We find this interface to be a thoughtful addition. Those who create vertical videos for platforms like TikTok or Instagram will appreciate this feature.

Additionally, the camera offers excellent streaming capabilities. The ZV-E10 II can stream 4K video at 30 fps or 25 fps. So, it’s a solid choice for IRL streamers.

Lots of lens compatibility

Being a Sony E-mount camera, the Sony ZV-E10 II has a large library of compatible lenses. With hundreds of lenses available, creators can pick and choose what lenses they need and later upgrade if their needs change. This is the benefit of having an interchangeable lens camera and having a lot of lenses to choose from.

The ZV-E10 II also has a multi-interface shoe. This shoe allows you to use many accessories and expand your operation whenever necessary.

Good battery life

Sony really improved on the original ZV-E10’s battery life. When using the original, we were able to use the ZV-E10 for up to 1 hour and 20 minutes. However, in our tests, the ZV-E10 II was able to last for 2 hours and 14 minutes in 4K 24p 10-bit 50 Mbps at 4:2:2. This is a big boost in battery life and is sufficient for most shooting sessions. Plus, it can run off USB-C PD power.

But there is a caveat to its battery life; we’ll touch on that soon.

Decent low-light performance

In our performance tests, the ZV-E10 II showed mixed results in low light. The low-light performance was typical for mirrorless cameras, with noise becoming noticeable at ISO 800 but still usable up to ISO 6400.

The camera offers 13 stops of dynamic range, and the inclusion of S-log and S-Cine gamut profiles provides more information in the shadows.

What isn’t so great?

Overheating is an issue

Although the camera can shoot for a longer time, it unfortunately suffers from overheating. It’s a major concern. When shooting 4K 60fps 10-bit 4:2:2 at 200 Mbps, the camera overheated every 20-25 minutes, with a total battery life of only 1 hour and 37 minutes. This can disrupt shooting sessions and necessitate breaks to cool down the camera. However, when shooting at a lower quality of 50 Mbps, the camera didn’t overheat. So unless you plan on recording long clips at the highest quality, overheating might not be a significant problem for you.

No in-body image stabilization

Another major drawback of the Sony ZV-E10 II is its lack of in-body image stabilization (IBIS), relying instead on electronic image stabilization. This could be a dealbreaker for many professionals. Although electronic image stabilization can work, it’s usually less effective and often requires post-processing to achieve the desired smoothness. The camera offers electronic image stabilization in two modes: standard and active. While standard mode doesn’t introduce an additional crop, active mode does. Neither mode significantly improves stabilization.

Noticeable rolling shutter

We also ran into a noticeable rolling shutter while using the camera. We experienced rolling shutter regardless of the resolution or the frame rate. This will be problematic for fast-moving subjects or panning shots, which, for on-the-go creators, could be a big issue.

One media slot

Just like the original, the Sony ZV-E10 II has only one media slot, and that’s a real bummer. Also, the one slot requires a V90 card for XAVC S-I 4K recording to capture the highest data rates.

Marketplace

When considering the ZV-E10 II, it’s helpful to compare it to other cameras in the same price range. We’ll compare the Sony ZV-E10 II to similar cameras in its class: the Nikon Z50, Canon EOS R10, Fujifilm X-T30 II and Sony a6600.

Nikon Z50

First up, we have the Nikon Z50. Coming in at just $860, just over $300 lower than the ZV-E10 II, the is a solid alternative. It features a 20.9 MP DX-Format CMOS sensor and a 209-point hybrid AF system with eye detection. For video specs, the Z50 can shoot video up to 4K at 30 fps and shoot in Full HD at 100 fps as well.

The ZV-E10 II’s sensor offers more megapixels overall, and the Nikon Z50 weighs about 100 g more than the ZV-E10 II (292 g compared to 395 g). So, overall, the Nikon Z50 is a good substitute if you want to save a few hundred bucks.

Canon EOS R10

Next, we have the Canon EOS R10. This one is similarly priced to the Nikon Z50, costing only $20 more. However, it has a sensor with a higher pixel count: a 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor. With this sensor, the camera can shoot video at up to 4K 60 fps. Additionally, it comes with Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocus system. The Canon EOS R10 is heavier than the Sony ZV-E10 II, weighing in at 382.2 g. If you’re in the Canon ecosystem and want to save, the Canon EOS R10 is an option you should take a look at.

Fujifilm X-T30 II

Now, let’s talk about the Fujifilm X-T30 II. Coming in at $900, the Fujifilm X-T30 II houses a 26.1 MP APS-C X-Trans BSI CMOS 4 sensor. This pixel count is quite competitive with the Sony ZV-E10 II. Additionally, the Fujifilm X-T30 II can also shoot 4K at 30 fps, so another competitive area between the two. The Sony ZV-E10 II does beat out the Fujifilm X-T30 II in terms of phase-detection points. The Fujifilm X-T30 II has 425 phase detection autofocus points, while the Sony ZV-E10 II has 495 phase detection autofocus points for video. The two cameras are pretty competitive in terms of specs. However, the Fujifilm X-T30 II comes in at $200 cheaper.

Sony a6600

Last but not least, we have the Sony a6600. Both coming from Sony, these cameras shoot up to 4K at 30 fps. However, the Sony a6600 features a 24.2 MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor with 4D FOCUS. Additionally, it has 425 phase-detect points. It additionally features five-axis sensor stabilization, a major benefit.

Should you buy the Sony ZV-E10 II?

So, should you buy the Sony ZV-E10 II? The autofocus is better than expected at this price point, making it a reliable choice for capturing sharp, in-focus footage. However, the steady-shot image stabilization isn’t worth using. The directional audio is a standout feature for vlogging, capturing clear sound from different directions. While the camera doesn’t overheat in every format, it’s unfortunate that it does when shooting at its best quality. Despite these drawbacks, the ZV-E10 II has a distinct Sony look and would be a great companion for vloggers to capture their stories.

Overall, the Sony ZV-E10 II is a solid upgrade for content creators looking to upgrade from their smartphones while not breaking the bank on higher-tier cameras. It offers impressive video specs, improved dynamic range, and a host of features that cater to the needs of modern creators, like touchscreen menu navigation and enhanced autofocus. However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The lack of in-body image stabilization and issues with overheating during high-quality recording are significant concerns. Additionally, the rolling shutter effect could be a dealbreaker for some.

Ultimately, if you’re already using the original ZV-E10, the decision to upgrade to the ZV-E10 II comes down to how much you value the new features and whether you can work around its limitations. For those new to Sony’s ecosystem or looking for a capable camera in this price range, the ZV-E10 II offers a lot of value. However, before you decide, you should consider if its drawbacks are worth the purchase. If you are fine with the potential of overheating or the camera lacking in-body image stabilization, this is a good camera for the price. However, if those are dealbreakers for you, there are plenty of other creator-focused cameras out there that can give you a similar shooting experience to the ZV-E10 II. Additionally, if you already own the ZV-E10, the ZV-E10 II does offer some upgrades that would make the ZV-E10 II the superior camera. However, overall, it will be up to you if those upgrades are worth the cost.

Sony ZV-E10 II

$998.00 at Amazon $998.00 at B&H Video $1,099.99 at Best Buy

Tech specs