Hey, everyone.
It has honestly taken me way longer since I finished my time with this camera to even begin writing this review. Not only has it been Hell trying to find a computer that can actually edit the videos I took, but framing this review in a way that doesn't come off as lazy has also been a mighty challenge.
I could give you the TLDR right now but I won't, because I have spent too long trying to find the words to describe this camera without being disrespectful.
The Sony ZVe-10 II: Sony's answer to a question nobody asked
When I first contacted Sony for a camera to bring along on my trip to attend VCT Masters Bangkok 2025, I requested (again) for the RX1R II but as always, due to it's perceived obsolescence, I was counter-offered with the ZVe-10 II. My thought process wasn't to do a review initially. I just wanted the best compact camera money could buy to bring into the venue and do an editorial that I've wanted to write for a few years now. It's a weird infatuation or, rather, ideation that I have with the RX1R II. I feel like if I could sell everything I own and get this one piece of camera that's full frame, 35mm focal length and has excellent resolution, I could finally be happy. Maybe I'm just looking for happiness in the wrong place.
Anyway...
The one thing that always comes to mind when thinking about what to write for this review is "Who would actually want this camera?". At its price point of RM5199 with the kit lens, I would be way happier going for the A6400 at around RM4199. It's RM1000 cheaper, has a viewfinder and can do mostly what this camera does. Not only that, the A6400 has a tilt-up screen while this one has a side-flipping screen, which is significantly blocked if you were to use any USB-C, external microphone or HDMI cabling for vlogging, livestreaming or external monitor output.
Unless you have a camera operator filming for you, which defeats the purpose of a vlogging camera
The image quality is good but not great, even at 26MP. With higher end lenses, the photos will come out excellent, but it doesn't fit into the intended use case of the ZVe-10 II. What I did find surprisingly useful, whether intended or not, are the first-frame stills the camera generates called thumbnails.
As someone who mainly takes photos and not videos, I was struggling with an existential crisis of wanting to focus on taking as many videos as possible on my trip instead of photos using this camera. The lack of viewfinder certainly helped but I was still busy looking at the screen instead of looking at the frame; if that makes any sense. I didn't know if anything turned out right but I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of my framing was actually quite satisfying.
To the camera's disservice, I didn't do any face-focused vlogging like in the traditional sense. I haven't done that kind of vlogging since December 2015 and I find it pretty obnoxious to do so. It's more of a me thing because I actually do enjoy watching other people's vlogging content. I'm more of a livestream type of person now and I'm more comfortable talking to the camera when I'm not involving everyone else around me. This might invalidate the whole review but I would like to circle back to my main point which is "Who would actually want this camera?".
It's a question I can't answer because right now, the luxury of buying niche cameras has exceeded what most hobbyists, enthusiasts, and content creators can afford. I like to bring up the point of price tag because I believe that these days, if a camera does only slightly better than your smartphone, then don't even bother buying the camera because the phone camera is indeed good enough. I wrote an entry back in 2017 about this and it still holds till today. Already having something be good enough is better than getting another slightly better thing for double the money. Not to mention, the price of camera equipment these days for entry and mid-level cameras has gone up significantly.
We live in a time where our daily life has been bogged down to transactional figures, where hours are converted into money and time is more costly than a life well-lived. The sad truth is that we find ourselves too caught up in the economy that we are forced to sacrifice our autonomy. Our decision-making solely relies on the question "Is it worth the money?", which then draws only one conclusion: "Nah."
Gemma says forget about it
I've put a huge damp on this review but if you're here to see why this camera might work for you, I do have some points. First, this is by far the easiest and fastest Sony camera I have ever used, and I've used the Sony a9 before. The menu has been simplified but not reduced and the responsiveness is very impressive. I can turn the camera on, click the record button, and the ZVe-10 II immediately starts recording with no delay. It's a fantastic feature for a vlogging camera because you really don't want to miss those fleeting moments when you're out and about. This is evident from the first-frame stills I showed you, but is also something you'll instantly notice when using this camera.
Ironically, another huge advantage of this camera is its small size. With the kit 16-50mm lens, you can bring this around in your fanny pack/cross-body pouch/traveler's knapsack/daily carrier/purse and still have room for your Hydroflask and wallet. At no point did vlogging and recording with this camera cause any strain and its light weight made taking videos at unconventional angles more viable.
Ironically, another huge advantage of this camera is its small size. With the kit 16-50mm lens, you can bring this around in your fanny pack/cross-body pouch/traveler's knapsack/daily carrier/purse and still have room for your Hydroflask and wallet. At no point did vlogging and recording with this camera cause any strain and its light weight made taking videos at unconventional angles more viable.
The whole thing is only as big as my ultrawide lens
Lastly, the battery life of the ZVe-10 II is absolutely godsent. I managed to fill my 32GB with 4K50fps footage with only one initial charge. Though I didn't do any long duration videos, it bodes well for a vlogging camera to last even two to three days without having to constantly charge it. Plus, you can charge it on the go via USB-C if you bring around a power bank or wall charger.
Bottom line is this camera is nothing if not convenient and fast. For all my qualms about its pricing, there's no denying its usefulness and advanced tech. I still cannot wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to buy a new camera, even if it's "just" for vlogging. There are other options out there that not only suit your needs but give you a better value at the same price range.
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I am immensely grateful to Sony Malaysia for providing me with the Sony ZVe-10 II, GP-VPT2BT wireless grip and remote, E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II, FE 24mm F2.8 G, and FE 40mm F2.5 G. Special thanks goes to Tofu, Chris, Smay, and everyone in Bangkok for making my trip so comfortable and amazing.
Until next time. Take care.
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