Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsPremium optics, budget build quality
Reviewed in Canada on June 3, 2024
I already have a full frame A7r2 that I've been using for video, so I can offer a comparison with that (which may also translate to other Sony full frame cameras) for those interested.
Video quality: I'm immediately impressed how hard it is to distinguish the video quality from the a7r2. It does need a bit more light (it's at ISO 200 under the same lighting conditions that the a7r2 was at ISO 100), and the crop factor is certainly noticeable when using the same full frame lenses, but apart from that, it just looks really good. To be clear I'm not doing any carefully measured tests, this is just a first impression eyeball test comparing 4k vs 4k video of the same subject in the same lighting conditions.
Build quality: Here's where the relatively-budget pricing of this camera is noticeable. This feels very cheap and plasticky compared to an a7 (which has a metal frame). The wheel on the top of the camera feels mushy and yucky. They didn't bother to paint the screws to match the colour of the body. The "grip" looks grippy but feels glossy smooth and if anything *more* slippery than the rest of the body. There's no proper latch to open the USB/HDMI panel or flip open the display, it's just a crevice in the plastic you have to dig your nail underneath to pop it open. It is "budget" within Sony's camera lineup, but I'd still hope for better given the actual cost. A rubbery texture to the grip would cost what, like $3, that's not a corner they need to be cutting on a device that retails for $850.
Software: This is another area of advantage vs. my a7r2 that is an older model and not designed for video first. Mostly the menus/settings are very familiar, but a big plus here is auto-focus tracking on eyes, while in video mode. I'm mostly using this on a tripod, but the ability to use a touch screen for changing the AF focus point is also a plus. I'll also include in "software" that it can directly function as a webcam with its USB output, which is a convenience (I've tested this and it's fine, but I still prefer the better quality and 4K support of the HDMI out into a capture stick).
Hardware design: Mostly this is a standard Sony camera layout of hardware buttons/wheels/etc., and with the settings a lot of it can be customized. My only complaint, apart from build quality, is that the display screen flips out to the same side of the camera as the HDMI/USB output and mic input--meaning that if you use it while anything is plugged in, the cables are going to obstruct the display. I can see how they backed themselves into this corner (there would also be problems with moving the jack locations, and there would be problems with moving where the display flips out), it's just unfortunate. I've ordered a "right angle" micro HDMI plug as a mitigation.
Overall, the optics are the big selling point here, in a very compact package that is video-first. If using it on a tripod indoors, get a "dummy battery", which will both give infinite power and prevent overheating of the device. You can charge while plugged in by USB, but it doesn't charge as fast as the battery drains (or so YouTube tells me), and anyways it will just generate heat and ruin the battery. The cleverness of my pairing this with my a7r2 is that they use the same battery (and I have a dummy battery already). Otherwise I might have waited for the ZV-E10 ii, which is expected to come out very soon.