Sony Cinema Line FX30 vs Z CAM E2
Sony Cinema Line FX30
Z CAM E2
What Buyers Say
Sony Cinema Line FX30
The Sony FX30 is overwhelmingly praised as a top-tier cinema camera for its price, delivering superb image quality, excellent autofocus, and robust features like dual base ISO and XLR audio. Users highlight its value as a beginner-friendly yet professional-grade tool, with many noting it rivals more expensive models like the FX3. Minor criticisms include the lack of a viewfinder, a complicated menu system, and some software quirks, but these are largely overshadowed by its performance and versatility.
Pros
- Superb image quality
- Excellent autofocus
- Great value for price
- Dual base ISO
- XLR audio handle
Cons
- No viewfinder
- Complicated menu system
- Rolling shutter could be better
- No shutter angle option
- No open gate mode
Z CAM E2
The Z Cam E2 is praised for its value, form factor, low-light performance, and responsive company support, but users report issues with autofocus reliability, menu complexity, and customer service. While many find it a capable production tool for the price, some express frustration with specific problems and support responses.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Compact form factor
- Excellent low-light performance
- Responsive company support
- Versatile recording options
Cons
- Unreliable autofocus
- Complex menus
- Poor customer service
- Background noise in audio
- Counterintuitive button placement
Scores
Specifications
| Sony Cinema Line FX30 | Z CAM E2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | ||
| Type | Exmor R CMOS | CMOS |
| Size | aps-c | micro-four-thirds |
| Megapixels | 26 MP★ | 10.279999732971191 MP |
| ISO Range | 100★ | 160 |
| Processor | BIONZ XR | — |
| Autofocus | ||
| AF Points | No data | |
| AF Type | Fast Hybrid AF (phase-detection AF / contrast-detection AF) | — |
| Eye AF | ✓★ | — |
| Animal AF | ✓★ | — |
| Subject Detection | ✓★ | — |
| Shooting | ||
| Burst (Mechanical) | 120 fps | 120 fps |
| Burst (Electronic) | 120 fps★ | — |
| Max Shutter | 1/8000 | — |
| Electronic Shutter | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video | ||
| Max Resolution | 4K | 4K |
| 4K FPS | 120 fps | 120 fps |
| 1080p FPS | 240 fps | 240 fps |
| 10-bit | ✓ | ✓ |
| Log Profile | ✓★ | — |
| RAW Video | ✓★ | — |
| Codec | H.264, H.265 | H.264, H.265, ProRes 422 |
| Display & EVF | ||
| Screen Size | 3"★ | 1.3" |
| Touchscreen | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Articulating | ✓★ | ✗ |
| EVF Resolution | 2.4M dots★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.65 kg★ | 0.76 kg |
| Battery Life | 570 shots★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓★ | ✗ |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB-C★ |
| HDMI | HDMI Type-A | HDMI 2.0 |
| Hot Shoe | ✓★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Sony Cinema Line FX30
- Strong burst (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong af (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong battery (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong connectivity (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Below average affordability (17th percentile)17th %ile
Z CAM E2
- Strong burst (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong video (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong connectivity (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong build (69th percentile)
- Below average sensor (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average affordability (26th percentile)
- Below average display (30th percentile)
Pricing
Sony Cinema Line FX30 offers 2.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 10 of 10 usage categories and 18 of 33 specs.
