The Z-Cam E1: A Revolutionary Micro 43 Camera for High-Quality Video Production

In an effort to provide videographers with an action cam-sized camera that can capture the highest quality footage possible, zcam introduced the E1. This compact micro 43 camera boasts a portable design, allowing it to be mounted in various ways and taken to places that would be difficult for DSLR cameras. The Z-Cam E1 is the world's smallest micro 43 interchangeable lens camera, making it an ideal choice for filmmakers who need flexibility and portability.

The camera features a 4K compact micro 43 sensor, which is significantly larger than the GoPro Hero 4's 1x 2.3 sensor. This means that the Z-Cam E1 will capture better video and low-light footage, as well as offer a greater dynamic range compared to the GoPro. The camera also features an interchangeable lens system, allowing users to utilize almost every micro 43s lens available, from small pancake lenses to large telescoping lenses.

Controlling the camera's settings and functions is made possible through its physical buttons or remote control via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth using the zcam app on your phone. Additionally, photos and videos can be downloaded straight to your phone. However, there is currently a limitation in downloading 4K videos to iOS devices. A convenient viewfinder on the back allows for framing shots, and when manually focusing the lens, the camera zooms in to ensure proper focus.

One of the standout features of the Z-Cam E1 is its ability to hold the shutter open for up to 8 seconds for night photography. It also boasts a time-lapse mode, allowing users to control the frequency and number of shots taken. While this feature is impressive, it does have limitations - users can only select up to 99 shots or infinity, which means that longer time lapses may require checking on the camera periodically until the desired number of shots is reached.

The Z-Cam E1 performed admirably in night-lapse mode, allowing users to capture high-quality footage. The camera's larger sensor resulted in sharper and cleaner video compared to the GoPro. However, it does have limitations - its data rate of 60 Mbps per second may not be enough for capturing top-notch quality with interchangeable lens cameras. Furthermore, the camera requires more time to frame shots due to its compact size.

While the Z-Cam E1 is an impressive camera, it falls short in terms of performance compared to other micro 43s cameras like the Panasonic G7, which records 4K video at 100 Mbps per second and offers a cleaner image with a greater color space. This means that users may need to correct the color and exposure settings to achieve optimal results.

One of the most significant limitations of the Z-Cam E1 is its boot-up time, which can take up to 10 seconds. Additionally, the camera's shallower depth of field makes it less suitable for use as an action camera, where a wider aperture would be beneficial. However, when used as a fixed camera, the Z-Cam E1 excels in terms of image quality and ease of use.

In conclusion, the Z-Cam E1 is an exceptional micro 43 camera that offers high-quality video production capabilities. Its compact size makes it ideal for filmmakers who need portability and flexibility. While it has limitations, particularly with regards to its data rate and boot-up time, it is still a valuable addition to any filmmaker's arsenal. With a little improvement in these areas, the Z-Cam E1 could become an even more formidable contender in the 4K video market.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enzcam introduced the E1 so videographers could have an action cam size 4k camera that can capture the highest quality footage possible the e1's portable design allows it to be mounted in ways and take it to places that would be difficult to do with a DSLR camera this is a 4K compact micro 43 camera and this is the 4K zcam E1 it's the world's smallest micro 43 interchangeable lens camera the zcam E1 is almost twice the size and weight of the GoPro Hero 4 but the E1 sensor is 9 times the size as the Hero 4 is 1x 2.3 sensor that means the zcam E1 will capture better video and low light and offer a greater dynamic range than the GoPro and because the E1 is an interchangeable lens camera it can be used with just about every micro 43s lens available from small pancake lenses to large telescoping lenses you can control the e1's camera settings and functions using only its physical buttons or remote remotely via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth with the zcam app on your phone photos and videos can be downloaded straight to your phone but unfortunately you currently cannot download 4K videos to iOS devices there's a convenient viewfinder on the back to frame your shots and when you manually focus your lens the E1 will zoom in so you can see if the subject you're shooting is in focus in photo mode you can hold the shutter open for up to 8 seconds for night photography the zcam E1 has a time-lapse mode and while you can control the frequency the camera takes shots and the number of shots to take you can only select up to 99 shots or Infinity if you plan to take more that means if you plan to have a time lapse for longer than 4 seconds of video you'll have to keep checking on the camera until it reaches the number of shots you want or it'll just keep shooting away until the battery runs down the E1 did an admirable job with night lapses you can hold the shutter open for up to 8 seconds and with an f1.7 aperture lens on the the lowest aperture setting I had no problem capturing a time-lapse of the Milky Way video was sharper and cleaner than a GoPro thanks to its larger sensor but like the GoPro it's limited to a 60 mbit per second data rate and unfortunately it shows compared to a similar micro 43z camera like the Panasonic G7 there's just more mud and a shallower color space with the zcam E1 the G7 records 4K video at 100 mbes per second and you just have a cleaner looking image with a greater color space than the E1 because of this I found that I've had to correct the color and exposure similar to what I'd have to do on the GoPro to really get goodlooking footage and even though the zcam E1 outperforms the GoPro in picture quality it's hardly an action camera at all press a button on your GoPro and you're recording within a second and everything in front of you is in Focus the zcam E1 can sometimes take up to 10 seconds to boot up and your shots have to be framed because being an interchangeable lens camera it has a shallower depth of field if you try to use this like an action camera your shots will be out of focus and your footage will most likely be unusable but the Z1 does an outstanding job as a fixed camera and it was really easy to take along with me climbing where space was a premium I only got the best results manually focusing the camera because continuous autofocus readjusted too much during filming and whereas the GoPro is waterproof and shockproof with its outer housing you don't even want to have the zcam E1 out in the rain that puts the zcam E1 in a class of its own between the GoPro action camera and 4K micro 4/3 cameras the E1 is probably more suited as a versatile B camera this would be perfect for snapping time lapses filming in tight spaces or capturing continuous footage of a subject to keep your primary camera freed up for your main shots Z camera could really shake up the 4K video Market if they increase the 4K data rate to 100 or even 200 mbits per second because this would put it right on par with similar micro 43s cameras 60 mbits per second just doesn't do this interchangeable lens camera Justice for capturing 4K video I'm assuming that this currently isn't possible for the E1 because of heat dissipation in such a tiny enclosed body I have to say I'm really impressed that zcam can fit a micro 43 sensor into a body this small but to really get usable footage you'll have to take more brakes to frame your shots than with a GoPro and it's 60 mbit per second data rate for 4K limits the quality footage you would otherwise get with interchangeable lens cameras it's compact size is his greatest advantage and I think with a little Improvement this camera would be a clear choice for a filmmaker's Arsenal\n"