Sony ZV-E10 II vs Sony ZV-E10 - Do You NEED to Upgrade?

Summary

In this detailed comparison, the Sony ZV-E10 Mark II is pitted against its predecessor, the ZV-E10. The Mark II boasts a lighter body, improved microphone, enhanced battery life, and a premium feel. It offers a fully articulating, high-resolution touch screen, 4K 60 streaming capability, and a 26-megapixel sensor with 10bit 422 color information. Despite some drawbacks like electronic stabilization and the lack of a mechanical shutter, the Mark II delivers superior image quality and functionality, justifying its higher price for many users, while the original ZV-E10 remains a budget-friendly option with excellent low-light performance.

Takeaways

• 📷 The ZV-E10 Mark II is not much bigger or heavier than the original ZV-E10, with a slightly lighter weight without batteries due to a larger battery.
• 🔋 The ZV-E10 Mark II features an improved grip and longer battery life, with a more premium feel and a relocated on/off switch.
• 🎤 The built-in microphone on the ZV-E10 Mark II is upgraded and considered the best among Sony cameras for vlogging without external mics.
• 📼 The SD card slot on the ZV-E10 Mark II has been moved to the side for convenience, unlike the original's slot in the battery compartment.
• 🔌 The ZV-E10 Mark II has improved USB-C port capabilities, allowing for 4K 30 streaming, compared to the 720 streaming of the original ZV-E10.
• 🖥 The ZV-E10 Mark II has a fully articulating screen with better resolution and touch functionality, making it more useful for exposure judgment and menu navigation.
• 📚 The new model includes a new 26-megapixel sensor with 4K 60 recording capabilities, albeit with a small 1.1x crop, and 10bit 4:2:2 color information.
• 🌞 The original ZV-E10 holds up well in 4K modes with 8bit footage, and the image quality can be indistinguishable from the Mark II in certain situations.
• 🔄 The ZV-E10 Mark II has improved electronic stabilization with less crop than the original, and better performance for vlogging with a wider field of view.
• 💰 The original ZV-E10 offers a more affordable price point, sometimes discounted, making it a great entry point for those new to the Sony system.
• 🛠 The Mark II lacks a mechanical shutter, which the original ZV-E10 has, providing an advantage for photographers needing to capture fast-moving subjects without distortion.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to compare the original Sony zv E10 with the new zv E10 Mark II, highlighting the differences, upgrades, and some downgrades between the two models.

Is the zv E10 Mark II physically larger or heavier than the original zv E10?

The zv E10 Mark II is not much bigger or heavier than the original zv E10. In fact, without the batteries, it's actually lighter due to the inclusion of a bigger battery.

What are some of the design improvements in the zv E10 Mark II body?

The zv E10 Mark II has a more premium feel, an improved microphone, a better grip, a relocated SD card slot to the side, and more conveniently located ports. It also has an on/off switch and mode switch by the zoom rocker instead of a button.

How does the zv E10 Mark II handle battery life?

The zv E10 Mark II has a longer battery life due to the inclusion of a bigger battery.

What is the difference in the microphone quality between the two models?

The zv E10 Mark II has an upgraded microphone, which is considered the best in Sony cameras, making it ideal for vlogging or using without external mics.

What is the improvement in the screen functionality of the zv E10 Mark II compared to the original?

The zv E10 Mark II has a fully articulating screen with better resolution, contrast, and touch functionality, including touch to focus, track, or shutter, and swipe menus, unlike the original which has limited touch functionality.

What are the video recording capabilities of the zv E10 Mark II compared to the original?

The zv E10 Mark II can record up to 4K 60 with a small 1.1 times crop, while the original zv E10 is limited to 4K 30. The Mark II also supports 10bit 422 color information, compared to the 8bit of the original.

How does the stabilization compare between the zv E10 and the zv E10 Mark II?

Both cameras lack an in-body image stabilization system and rely on electronic stabilization. The zv E10 Mark II has an improved electronic stabilization with less crop compared to the original, which has a 1.44 times crop in active stabilization.

What are the advantages of using a gimbal with the zv E10 cameras for vlogging?

Using a gimbal provides smooth footage without the need for active stabilization, eliminating the crop factor and providing a wider field of view, which is especially useful for vlogging.

What is the price difference between the original zv E10 and the zv E10 Mark II?

The original zv E10 is priced at $698, sometimes discounted to $598, while the zv E10 Mark II is priced at $998, indicating a significant price increase for the upgraded model.

What are some of the photo capabilities of the original zv E10 that may be preferred over the Mark II?

The original zv E10 has a mechanical shutter, which is preferred by photographers for capturing fast-moving subjects without distortion or banding, and it may have more aggressive noise reduction for better low-light performance.