The Sony ZV-E1 and the Sony A7S III are two full-frame mirrorless cameras aimed at video creators, especially vloggers and content creators who need a high-quality and versatile camera for various situations and subjects.
They share the same 12MP BSI CMOS sensor and Bionz XR processor, which enable stunning 4K video quality in any light, with minimal noise and high dynamic range. They also share the same 5-axis IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) system, which provides up to 5.5 stops of stabilization for handheld shooting.
However, they have different designs, features and prices that may affect their performance and suitability for different needs and preferences.
The Sony ZV-E1 is a newer camera that offers a more compact and affordable option than the Sony A7S III, but also sacrifices some features and versatility. The Sony A7S III is an older camera that offers a more robust and professional option than the Sony ZV-E1, but also costs more and weighs more.
In this comparison, we will look at the main differences between these two cameras, based on various sources¹²³.
Introduction
The Sony ZV-E1 was announced in January 2023 as a full-frame mirrorless camera for video creators. It is part of Sony's ZV series of cameras, which are designed to deliver high image quality and performance for vlogging and content creation.
The ZV-E1 is the most capable and expensive model in the series, following the ZV-1F, the ZV-10, and the ZV-11, which are all compact cameras with fixed lenses and smaller sensors.
The Sony A7S III was announced in July 2020 as a full-frame mirrorless camera for video professionals. It is part of Sony's A7 series of cameras, which are designed to deliver high image quality and performance for various genres of photography and videography.
The A7S III is the third generation of Sony's low-light specialist camera, which offers exceptional video quality and performance in challenging lighting conditions.
Differences of Sony ZV-E1 vs Sony A7S III
Viewfinder
One of the most obvious differences between these two cameras is that the ZV-E1 doesn't have a viewfinder, only a rear LCD monitor.
This makes it more compact and lighter than the A7S III, but also less comfortable to use in bright sunlight or for precise framing.
The A7S III has an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which is one of the best on the market with stunning resolution (9.44M dots), a large magnification (0.9x) and a long eyepoint (25mm). The refresh rate goes up to 120fps.
Rear Monitor
Both cameras have a flip-out touchscreen that can face forward for selfies and vlogs, but they differ in resolution and functionality.
The ZV-E1 has a lower-resolution screen (1.04M dots vs 1.44M dots), but it has more touch sensitivity options: there are automatic modes like My Image Style designed to simplify settings such as white balance and exposure compensation (called color and brightness), and they can be changed directly via the touch screen.
The A7S III has a higher-resolution screen (1.44M dots vs 1.04M dots), but it has less touch sensitivity options: there are no automatic modes or direct adjustments via the touch screen.
Body Design
The ZV-E1 is more compact and lighter than the A7S III, also helped by the lack of an EVF protruding on top. It has dimensions of 121 x 71.9 x 54.3 mm and weighs 483g including battery.
The A7S III is larger and heavier than the ZV-E1, with dimensions of 128.9 x 96.9 x 80.8 mm and weighs 699g including battery. It offers more physical controls than the ZV-E1: one extra dial to control exposure settings, an AF joystick on the rear, an AF/MF switch, an AF hold button, a focus mode switch, a top LCD panel and a headphone jack, just to name a few.
The ZV-E1 has fewer physical controls than the A7S III: no extra dial, no AF joystick, no AF/MF switch, no AF hold button, no focus mode switch, no top LCD panel and no headphone jack.
However, the ZV-E1 has some features that are tailored for vlogging and content creation: a tally lamp on the front that warns you when the camera is recording, and a zoom rocker around the shutter button that can be used to crop in and upscale, using Sony's Super Resolution Zoom.
Connection Ports
Both cameras have 5Gbps USB C, audio input and output (3.5mm jack), as well as digital audio (24-bit ,4 channels) via the multi-interface shoe.
They also have an HDMI port, but they differ in size and quality: the A7S III has a full-size HDMI port that can output 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 video, while the ZV-E1 has a micro HDMI port that can output 4K 30p 8-bit 4:2:0 video. The A7S III also has a flash sync port, while the ZV-E1 doesn't.
Memory Card Slots
The A7S III has two memory card slots that can accept either SDXC (UHS-II) or CFexpress Type A cards. This gives you more flexibility and security when recording video, as you can choose to record simultaneously on both cards, or record different formats on each card.
The ZV-E1 has only one memory card slot that can accept SDXC (UHS-II) cards. This limits your options and backup when recording video, as you can only record on one card at a time.
Video Resolution and Frame Rate
Both cameras can record up to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) video at up to 60p without crop, using the full width of the sensor. However, the A7S III can also record up to 4K UHD video at up to 120p with a small 1.1x crop, using a slightly narrower area of the sensor.
The ZV-E1 will be able to record up to 4K UHD video at up to 120p and Full HD (1920 x 1080) video at up to 240p in June 2023 with a software update, but this will be a paid upgrade in some regions.
Both cameras can also record Full HD video at up to 120p without crop, using the full width of the sensor. However, the A7S III can also record Full HD video at up to 240p with a small 1.1x crop, using a slightly narrower area of the sensor. The ZV-E1 will be able to record Full HD video at up to 240p in June 2023 with a software update, but this will be a paid upgrade in some regions.
Video Bit Depth and Color Space
Both cameras can record up to 10-bit 4:2:2 internal or external video with S-Log2 or S-Log3 log profiles or HLG HDR profile.
However, the A7S III can also record up to BT.2020 color space internally or externally, while the ZV-E1 can only record up to BT.709 color space internally or externally.
Video Codec and Format
Both cameras can record XAVC S or XAVC HS video with H.264 or H.265 codec. However, the A7S III can also record XAVC S-I video with All-I compression, which offers higher quality and easier editing than LongGOP compression used by XAVC S or XAVC HS.
Video Autofocus and Stabilization
Both cameras have hybrid AF systems with 759 phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection points that cover almost the entire sensor area.
They also have eye AF and tracking modes for humans, animals, birds and vehicles. However, the ZV-E1 has an AI-powered Auto Framing mode that can crop and track subjects automatically, giving the perception that the camera is human-operated.
They both have 5-axis IBIS systems that provide up to 5.5 stops of stabilization for handheld shooting. They also have digital stabilization modes that apply additional cropping and electronic correction to reduce shake further.
Battery Life and Overheating
The A7S III has a larger battery (NP-FZ110) than the ZV-E1 (NP-FZ100), which gives it longer battery life: up to 600 shots or 95 minutes of video recording for the A7S III, versus up to 440 shots or 95 minutes of video recording for the ZV-E1.
The A7S III also has a better cooling system than the ZV-E1, which allows it to record unlimited 4K video at any frame rate without overheating (at standard temperature). The ZV-E1 can record up to 30 minutes of 4K video at 30p or 60p without overheating (at standard temperature), but it may overheat sooner in warmer environments or when using certain settings.
The ZV-E1 also has a high temperature warning and a high temperature auto power off function that can prevent damage to the camera.
However, these functions can also interrupt your recording and cause you to miss important moments. The ZV-E1 also has a high temperature mode that can extend the recording time by allowing the camera to operate at higher temperatures, but this may affect the image quality and the camera’s lifespan. Therefore, the ZV-E1 is not recommended for long or continuous video recording, especially in 4K.
Conclusion
The Sony ZV-E1 and the Sony A7S III are both excellent full-frame mirrorless cameras for video creators, especially vloggers and content creators who need a high-quality and versatile camera for various situations and subjects.
They share the same 12MP BSI CMOS sensor and Bionz XR processor, which enable stunning 4K video quality in any light, with minimal noise and high dynamic range. They also share the same 5-axis IBIS system, which provides up to 5.5 stops of stabilization for handheld shooting.
However, they also have some differences that may make one more suitable than the other for different needs and preferences. The Sony ZV-E1 is a newer camera that offers a more compact and affordable option than the Sony A7S III, but also sacrifices some features and versatility.
The Sony ZV-E1 has no viewfinder, no mechanical shutter, no dual card slots, no top LCD panel, no joystick control, no headphone jack and no full-size HDMI port. It also has a lower-resolution rear LCD screen, a lower-capacity battery and a lower frame rate for 4K video (60fps vs 120fps).
However, the Sony ZV-E1 also adds some features that are tailored for vlogging and content creation:
- a flip-out touchscreen that can face forward for selfies and vlogs, a built-in directional microphone that can capture clear audio without an external mic
- an AI-powered Auto Framing mode that can crop and track subjects automatically
- a Cinematic Vlog mode that can record widescreen videos with S-Cinetone color profile
- a USB-C port that can be used for power delivery or webcam streaming.
The Sony A7S III is an older camera that offers a more robust and professional option than the Sony ZV-E1, but also costs more and weighs more.
The Sony A7S III has an electronic viewfinder, a mechanical shutter, dual card slots, a top LCD panel, a joystick control, a headphone jack and a full-size HDMI port. It also has a higher-resolution rear LCD screen, a higher-capacity battery and a higher frame rate for 4K video (120fps vs 60fps).
However, the Sony A7S III also lacks some features that are tailored for vlogging and content creation:
- it has no flip-out touchscreen that can face forward for selfies and vlogs
- no built-in directional microphone that can capture clear audio without an external mic
- no AI-powered Auto Framing mode that can crop and track subjects automatically
- no Cinematic Vlog mode that can record widescreen videos with S-Cinetone color profile
- no USB-C port that can be used for power delivery or webcam streaming.
If you are looking for a full-frame mirrorless camera that offers excellent image quality and performance for videos and vlogs, with a compact and affordable design and AI smarts that make life easy for modest crews, then the Sony ZV-E1 may be the better choice for you.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a full-frame mirrorless camera that offers excellent image quality and performance for videos and vlogs, with a robust and professional design and more features and versatility for various genres of videography, then the Sony A7S III may be the better choice for you.
Further Reading
(1) Sony ZV-E1 vs A7S III – The 10 Main Differences
(2) Sony ZV-E1 preview – Digital Photography Review
(3) Sony ZV-E1 vs Sony A7S III: Which is Better? | Tech Arena24