Photography with the Sony ZV-E10

I said a few weeks ago that I bought a Sony ZV-E10 but that I wasn’t keeping it.

That was true. I didn’t keep it. Then I changed my mind and bought another one.

I really want to see how I get on with Sony cameras and I still couldn’t think of a better camera to carry all the time, without spending well over twice as much on an A7C that is larger and heavier anyway. So I’m giving it a better trial this time and definitely learning more about what I like and dislike about it.

And it’s mostly all good.

I’ve always liked the grip on these little Sony APS-C cameras, and the rubber texture on the ZV-E10 is really nice. The camera does feel plastic, but not cheap or poorly made. 

The screen is good, saved by having an ‘outdoor’ brightness setting.

It’s a very small camera, with a pancake lens, ideal for a big pocket or small bag.

Autofocus is excellent.

I’m using it exclusively with the Sony 20mm f/2.8 and I’m very pleased with the images so far.

Negatives?

Sooner or later I’ll wish it was weather-sealed.

But the main limitation I’ve come across is not being able to set a minimum shutter speed for auto-ISO. It seems to use 1/30s presumably because I’m using a 30mm equivalent lens. But most of the time I’d prefer 1/100s or 1/125s and a higher ISO. So it means I’m switching to Manual or Shutter priority when I wouldn’t with Fuji or Panasonic, but that’s ok.

It’s not designed to compete with the Fuji X100 or Ricoh GR, but it actually can pretty well. It’s more simple and less powerful than the X100V, but much cheaper. It’s quite as slick and solid and easy to use one-handed as the GR, but has interchangeable lenses. And, the reason I bought it, I do find that I’ll carry it everywhere which means more fun and more photos.