Sony ZV-E10 II – A User Experience Review
Why I Picked Up the Sony ZV-E10 II
I originally bought this camera as a secondary photo camera to my Sony A7R III and for filming YouTube videos. On paper, it looked like a great fit—compact, capable, and versatile. It has a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor, 4K video at 60fps, and 10-bit recording with S-Log3 for more flexibility in post.
Image Quality – No Complaints
(All photos below shot with the the zv e10 ii and Sigma 18-50 f/2,8⬇️)
When it comes to photo quality, I have zero complaints. The 26MP sensor produces sharp images with solid dynamic range. Colors look great, and with good light, the results aren`t that far from my Sony A7r iii.
I’ve been using the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 with it, and it’s been an excellent match. This lens is small, sharp, and fast, making it great for both photography and video. Autofocus is quick and reliable, and the f/2.8 aperture helps in lower-light conditions—though the lack of in-body stabilization (IBIS) does become noticeable when shooting handheld.
Handling & Ergonomics – Where Things Fell Short
Here’s where my biggest issues with the camera start.
1. No EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) – Coming from DSLRs and mirrorless cameras with good EVFs, I really miss having one. I thought I could get used to composing with just the flip-out screen, but in bright sunlight, it’s frustrating.
2. No Front Dial – I underestimated how much I’d miss this. I’ve used cameras with dedicated front dials for years, and not having one slows me down when adjusting settings.
3. Limited Custom Buttons – While there are some customizable controls, it doesn’t offer as many as I’d like. I often find myself diving into menus to make simple adjustments.
4. No IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) – This is a big deal for both photography and video. The electronic stabilization does help for video, but it crops in quite a bit and doesn’t feel as smooth as true IBIS.
That said, not everything about the handling is bad. The flip-out screen is a great feature, and it’s especially useful for vlogging and shooting on a tripod. It feels durable and well-built.
The touchscreen is responsive, but too small for me to use comfortably. That might just be a me problem (big hands, sausage fingers), but I found myself using the physical buttons more often.
Video Features – Solid, But Not Perfect
The video specs on the ZV-E10 II are impressive:
• 4K up to 60fps
• 10-bit recording with S-Log3 for better post-processing flexibility
• S-Cinetone, which looks great straight out of the camera
• A cinematic mode that adds black bars for a widescreen look
For my YouTube videos, I’ve mostly shot in S-Cinetone, and I love the results. It gives a pleasing, natural look without needing much color grading.
Audio Performance
The camera has a microphone input, which is great for improving audio quality. I’ve used it with the RØDE Wireless ME, and the audio has been solid. If you’re serious about video, you’ll want to use an external mic, but the built-in mic is decent for casual use.
✅ Who It’s Great For:
• If you want a compact camera with great photo and video quality, it’s solid.
• If you mostly shoot video on a tripod or use a gimbal, the lack of IBIS won’t be a big issue.
• If you don’t mind composing with just the screen, it’s a good choice.
❌ Who Might Struggle With It:
• If you rely on an EVF, you’ll miss it here.
• If you like having lots of physical controls, the lack of a front dial and custom buttons can slow you down.
• If you shoot handheld video a lot, the lack of IBIS makes it harder to get smooth footage.
Because of these limitations, I’m probably going to sell it. It’s not a bad camera by any means—it just doesn’t quite fit my needs.
Final Thoughts
The Sony ZV-E10 II is a good camera, but it has some key limitations that held me back. If you’re considering it, hopefully, this review helped you get a better idea of what it’s like to use in real-world conditions.