The Sony ZV-E1 is the world’s smallest and lightest, full frame interchangeable lens camera with a 12 MP full frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor. Adorama’s Sal D’Alia tested the ZV-E1 to check out its full gamut of specs and features. It’s capable of capturing incredible images and video content with minimal effort. Such a capable, portable camera needs equally robust lenses to help reach your full creative potential.
The lenses listed below have been carefully chosen based on size, portability, quality and over “fit” for the ZV-E1. You have over 70 full frame and APSC e-mount lenses to choose from, and we think this list is a great place to start building your collection of best lenses for the Sony Sony ZV-E1 Camera.
About the ZV-E1 Camera
The Sony ZV-E1 is portable full-frame camera built for content creators, especially professional vloggers. With unparalleled exposure latitude and amazing high sensitivity, the ZV-E1 is capable of full pixel readout and no pixel binning. It can also capture video at 4K 120p and FHD 240p resolutions. Its 12 MP sensor can cover 15+ stops of dynamic range and up to ISO 409, 600 with minimal grain.
The ZV-E1 sports the next generation of AI-based subject recognition, autofocus, auto framing, and stabilization. You can also record at up to 600mbps with a 10-bit depth of 4:2:2 color sampling. This means you’ll be able to create movies with rich, accurate colors and the highest possible details. The camera can compensate for focus breathing that occurs with certain lenses as you rack focus from near to far objects.
A tally lamp is integrated into the ZV-E1 as well. It has a physical light that is visible from the top and front of the camera. This is an easy way to let the subject know when the camera is recording. A red frame is also present around the LCD when recording. The Product Showcase button is another incredible useful feature, especially for YouTubers who frequently create product review videos.
Best Lenses for the Sony ZV-E1
Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens for Sony E with Accessories Kit
The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G lens is the world’s lightest full frame f/4 wide-angle power zoom lens. It is a compact, lightweight and delivers superb G Lens image quality. A circular aperture and controlled spherical aberration enhance bokeh quality, while 9.5-inch (0.24 meter) minimum focus enables stunning close ups. This lens also minimizes jarring angle of view shifts that can occur when focusing or zooming so that stable, high quality movie footage can be easily captured. Focus, zoom, and aperture operation are also extremely quiet, greatly reducing noise and vibration that can interfere with movie recording. Two XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors deliver quick, quiet, low-vibration autofocus while maintaining compact lens dimensions.
Why we chose it:
This is a great lens for the ZV-E1 because, although this compact wide-angle zoom lens weighs just 353 g (12.5 oz), it does not compromise functionality or performance in any way. Its length remains constant while focusing and zooming for optimal balance and handling, which also makes it ideal for gimbal-mounted movie shooting or with the use of a matte box. Impressive portability and a dust/moisture resistant design make it a great choice for just about any subject or situation.
Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G Lens for Sony E with Accessories Kit
The Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G lens APSC lens is a compact and lightweight ultra-wide-angle power zoom lens that combines outstanding mobility and image quality to realize opportunities that only wide field of view and power zoom can provide. Offering dynamic perspectives, corner-to-corner sharpness, naturally rendered bokeh, fast, precise AF and optical design refined for movies, this lens seems weightless on the ZV-E1. Thanks to internal zoom and focus, the lens does not change in length when focusing or zooming. It provides a stable center of gravity that is ideal for vlogging or gimbal shooting.
Advanced lens technology reduces focus breathing as well as focus and axial shift when zooming so that high quality images and movies can be easily captured. This lens also supports the breathing compensation function provided by the ZV-E1. This further reduces unwanted angle of view shifts during focusing for smooth, high-quality movie footage.
Why we chose it:
The unique combination of outstanding mobility and versatile power zoom opens creative opportunities not possible with other lenses. In addition to the zoom controls built into the lens, zoom can be operated without having to touch the camera or lens, with variable speeds and from assignable buttons and controls on the ZV-E1, accessory grips or remote commanders for convenient, versatile operation in a variety of situations.
Sony E 20mm f/2.8 Lens for Sony E
The Sony E 20mm f/2.8 lens is extremely compact, measuring a mere 13/16 inches (20.4mm). If you want the ultimate in portability and discreetness, pair this lens with the ZV-E1. The aluminum alloy lens barrel is inlaid into a molded-plastic component for a lightweight yet durable construction.The control ring allows for easy operation while the lens exudes a stylish appeal.
It features seven aperture blades that form a near circle. This results in a pleasing defocused circular effect on the background of your image when the aperture is set wide open. The same type of internal stepping motor used for the focus drive is used for aperture actuation as well. This makes for a smooth, low-noise aperture operation ideally suited to movie shooting. The 20mm f/2.8 lens is characterized by three aspherical lens elements which correct distortions and aberrations.
Why we chose it:
The high resolution and excellent contrast assure richly detailed images free of distortion, making the lens an outstanding choice for a wide range of subjects such as casual snapshots to majestic landscapes. The combination of the ZV-E1 and the E 20mm f/2.8 is small enough to slip into a coat pocket and take with you everywhere.
Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Lens for Sony E with Accessories Kit
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 lens is extremely lightweight weighing in at just 6.7 ounces for a light portrait lens that’s ideal for low-light photography when paired with the ZV-E1. The wide aperture ensures maximum light gathering to produce impressive photos even when it’s dark. This will let you shoot for longer and make use of lower ISOs for reduced noise. In addition, the circular aperture creates beautifully round light points when it’s fully open for smooth bokeh that makes defocused backgrounds look creamy.
This Sony 50mm f/1.8 camera lens is best used with full-frame cameras such as the ZV-E1 so that you can take advantage of the shorter focal length. Focusing is fast and agile, thanks to the powerful motor, which is extremely quiet, making it useful for moviemaking, as the noise of focusing won’t appear on the soundtrack. It includes multiple advanced lens elements that reduce the effects of lens flare, ghosting and chromatic aberration to ensure that your photos are clear and crisp.
Why we chose it:
A solid metal mount lets this Sony 50mm f/1.8 camera lens withstand everyday use. The lens has an innovative optical design to achieve clear, high-quality images by effectively minimizing distortion and chromatic aberration. A double-gauss configuration effectively suppresses field curvature and distortion, while a precisely placed aspherical element controls spherical aberration and coma.
Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G Lens for Sony E
The Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G lens has the state-of-the-art optical design. It takes maximum advantage of the short flange back to realize stunning compactness at 68mm diameter x 45mm and a weight of only 173g. The maximum aperture of f/2.5 will allow you to capture noise-free images, even in very low light conditions, especially with the ZV-E1’s 12 MP full frame sensor. Such a wide aperture will also insure shallow depth of field for stunning portraits.
The lens incorporates three aspherical elements for extreme corner to corner sharpness with excellent micro contrast and minimal distortion. The FE 40mm f/2.5 G lens uses seven circular blades to control the aperture. This means the out of focus points will appear as smooth, round elements rather than distracting polygons. The autofocus is extremely fast and accurate. Finally, the FE 40 mm f/2.5 G add a customizable button on the lens. Various functions may be assigned to it. For example, assigning “APS-C” mode will quickly allow for additional reach. This may be valuable when doing street photography with your ZV-E1 camera.
Why we chose it:
Mobility is a key feature of this lens. It will preserve the compactness of the overall ZV-E1, whether shooting still images or movie. If you’re a fan of small, solidly built lenses, then you’ll love this lens.
Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Lens
The Sony E 16-35mm f/2.8 G lens features a bright F2.8 maximum aperture that offers greater control over depth of field and is ideal for working under various lighting conditions. It has a minimum focus distance of 0.33m (1.09ft) and a maximum magnification of 0.2x. It also has four aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements for controlling both chromatic and spherical aberrations to create sharp and clear photos. These elements also have Nano AR Coating applied to them to reduce surface reflections and flare. This is essential for improving contrast when working under bright lighting conditions. It has customizable button settings around the lens barrel for easy access and a weather-sealed design for working under various weather conditions. Sony’s advanced XD (extreme Dynamic) linear motor technology — the same type used in G Master series lenses — focuses on and tracks even fast-moving subjects with outstanding speed and precision.
Why we chose it:
This lens renders beautiful bokeh, making it ideal for close-up photography. Its operation is also quiet, allowing videographers to take advantage of the constant F2.8 aperture. If you’re looking for a small, sturdy zoom lens to pair with the ZV-E1, then you should place this lens on your short list.
Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6
The Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 lens delivers high optical performance that achieves the high-resolution depiction of full-frame everywhere in the image. Optimal arrangement of the three aspherical lens elements effectively suppresses aberrations throughout the zoom range and realizes high resolution from corner to corner.
A minimum focus distance of 0.99 foot (0.3m) (wide-angle) to 1.48 feet (0.45m) (telephoto) delivers close-up capability. This makes it perfect for everyday use or vlogging with a gimbal or grip. At 5.9oz (167g) and 2.6 inches dia. x 1.8 inches length (66.6 mm dia. x 45 mm length), along with its mechanical and optimal optical design that features a retracting structure, the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 achieves unrivaled compactness and lightness, allowing users to easily carry it all the time. Even with its compact size and lightweight, the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 is dust and moisture resistant and accepts a variety of 40.5mm filters.
Why we chose it:
From everyday shooting to scenery, portraits and travel, it’s the ideal lens for any type of on-the-go shooting in a wide variety of environments. When combined with the ZV-E1, the combination achieves uncompromising full-frame performance with the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame camera and lens system.
Conclusion
The Sony ZV-E1 is an incredibly powerful creative tool that compact and lightweight. It deserves to be paired with lenses that are equally stellar. The key when creating your ideal setup with this camera is to preserve portability without sacrificing quality. Whether you’re looking for a compact prime lens for portraits, a ultrawide angle field of view for expansive landscapes, a short telephoto for candid street photography, or a zoom lens for general versatility, we’ve offered the best Sony ZV-E1 lenses currently available in the Sony lens ecosystem.
