Did you know the Sony ZV-E10 is still one of the most popular cameras for creators, even a few years after its release?
With the recent launch of the ZV-E10 Mark 2, you might be wondering: Is it really worth upgrading?
In this article, I’ve got five reasons why you might just want to stick with your original ZV-E10 and save yourself the hassle and cost of upgrading.
Incredible Image Quality
Let’s talk about image quality. The original ZV-E10 is already packing a serious punch with its 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor.
This camera delivers crisp, detailed images and stunning 4K video that rivals even some of the more expensive cameras out there.
So, unless you’re planning to blow up your photos to massive billboard size and want to trade the 24.2-megapixel sensor to the 26.0 megapixel sensor on the mark II, this one has you covered. The difference in image quality between the original and the Mark 2 is going to be negligible for most creators.
If you’re happy with the sharpness and colour rendition you’re getting now, there’s no real need to upgrade.
For me, I like to invest in my lenses, because the things that this allows me to do is limited by what the lenses are able to shoot.
It almost feels different if you’re going from an APSC camera to a full-frame camera, then this conversation and video would be completely different, because in that case, you would be upgrading to a larger sensor size and higher resolution, amongst other things.
Exceptional Autofocus
Next, let’s talk about autofocus. The ZV-E10’s Real-Time Eye Autofocus is already top-notch. Whether you’re vlogging, shooting portraits, or filming your pets, this camera locks onto your subject with impressive accuracy, and Sony has fine-tuned their autofocus system over the years, and what you get with the ZV-E10 is already more than enough for most creators.
The Mark 2 might have some incremental improvements, but unless you’re shooting under extremely challenging conditions, you’re not going to notice a huge difference.
The ZV-E10 has your back when it comes to reliable focus, so why not stick with it?
Great Value for Money
The ZV-E10 is a feature-packed camera that doesn’t break the bank.
You’ve already made a smart investment with this camera, and upgrading to the Mark 2 might not give you enough bang for your buck.
Sure, the Mark 2 might have a few new bells and whistles, but the cost difference just isn’t justified for most users.
While the ZV-E10 was dubbed as that perfect entry-level camera for content creators, especially at its budget price for an interchangeable lens camera, and I think it still is.
The mark 2 price tag is now close to that thousand pound (over the $1000) mark, although I have noticed that the price of it is slowly coming down, but for me, the price of the mark 2 is still slightly out of that budget range. But thankfully, Sony and online stores like Amazon are still selling to mark 1.
But as I mentioned before, instead of dropping money on the Mark 2, why not invest in some quality lenses, a good microphone, or lighting equipment?
These might be more likely to make a bigger impact on your content than the camera upgrade.
I upgraded to the ZV-E10 from a Sony A5000 mainly because of the 4K recording capabilities, and if you’ve seen some of my first videos on my YouTube channel, then I was mainly filming with an iPhone, but that need of mine to want to film with a bit more flexibility that a dedicated camera gives you, the ZV-E10 came out at exactly the right time, and one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Perfect for Vloggers and Content Creators
The ZV-E10 is perfect for vloggers and content creators, and it’s always been marketed that way along with the other ZV cameras, all the way from the ZV-1, up to their most premium ZV camera in the ZV-E1.
The Mark 1 is compact, lightweight, and has a ton of features designed specifically for content creators like us. The Mark 2 might add a few more features, but are they really going to change the way you create? The ZV-E10 already has the flip-out screen, the built-in mic, and the great stabilisation that we all love.
If you’re using the ZV-E10 for your YouTube channel or for social media, it’s already a perfect match.
Don’t get caught up in the upgrade hype; this camera is still a powerhouse for content creation.
Stability and Familiarity
Finally, let’s talk about stability and familiarity. When you’ve been using a camera for a while, you get to know it inside and out.
You know all the settings, the quirks, and how to get the best shots without even thinking about it. Upgrading to a new model means another learning curve, potential bugs, and let’s be honest, probably some frustration along the way.
The ZV-E10 is a reliable tool you already know and trust. Sometimes, sticking with what you know can save you a lot of headaches and keep your workflow smooth and efficient.
Why mess with a good thing?
So there you have it, five reasons to stick with your trusty Sony ZV-E10. Of course, the Mark 2 has its merits: Sony’s most advanced sensor, those cinematic vlog settings, which are going to add that dynamism to your shots, support for vertical shooting, which for me, is a big selling point for the new generation of vertical social media content creators, and the fine tuning of the small things, like the menu system, the built-in microphone, which (on the ZV-E10 I), at times, can be awful, and the subject recognitions.
Wow, that sounds like a lot of compelling reasons to upgrade.
For most of us, if you do have the original ZV-E10, this camera is still going to be more than capable of delivering the results that you need.
Maybe it might be best to save your money, avoid the learning curve, and keep creating with confidence in the kit that you’ve got.
Are you sticking with your ZV-E10, or are you tempted by the Mark 2 or another camera?
If you want to see the video version of this video, check out the YouTube link below: