Sony FX30 vs A7 IV vs ZV-E1: Which Camera Should You Buy for Video?
Video only, 4K slow motion, lowest budget: Sony FX30, around €1,470.
Equal parts photo and video: Sony A7 IV, around €1,530. It is the only one of the three with a viewfinder and with real stills resolution.
Shooting alone, at night or in low light: Sony ZV-E1, around €1,780. It is the lightest and the best prepared for working without an operator.
Guide updated on 04/11/2026. Prices from that day, rounded; the current price is the one on each product page.
These three cameras cost about the same, use the Sony E mount and record 10-bit 4:2:2 with S-Log3. On paper they are almost identical, which is why the choice is hard. The difference lies in the sensor and in how you work with each one: they are three cameras designed for three different people.
How do the FX30, A7 IV and ZV-E1 differ?
| Spec | Sony FX30 | Sony A7 IV | Sony ZV-E1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Super 35, 20.1 MP | Full frame, 33 MP | Full frame, 12.1 MP |
| Maximum 4K | Up to 120p | Up to 60p | Up to 60p; 120p with the free firmware update |
| Maximum Full HD | 240p | 120p | 240p with the same update |
| Colour | 10-bit 4:2:2, S-Log3, HLG | 10-bit 4:2:2, S-Cinetone, S-Log3 | 10-bit 4:2:2, S-Cinetone, S-Log3 |
| Viewfinder | No | Yes, 3.69-million-dot OLED | No |
| Autofocus | 627 phase-detection points | 759 phase-detection points | Hybrid, down to -6 EV |
| Weight with battery and card | 646 g | 659 g | 483 g |
| Approximate price | €1,470 | €1,530 | €1,780 |
Data from PhotoFury product pages, checked on 04/11/2026.
Who is the Sony FX30 for?
Sony FX30, body. 20.1 MP Super 35 sensor and 4K up to 120p.
The FX30 belongs to Sony's Cinema Line, and its approach shows it: this is a video camera that can also take photos, not the other way round. It has tally lights front and rear, 1/4-inch threads for mounting accessories without a cage, and the option of adding a handle with XLR inputs. It also supports external 16-bit RAW recording over HDMI.
Its strong point is 4K at 120p, useful for slow motion at weddings, sports or commercial shoots. Bear in mind that this mode adds a 1.6x crop on top of the Super 35 sensor, so it is worth carrying a wide lens if you want to keep your framing.
What it does not offer is a viewfinder: everything is controlled from the 3-inch vari-angle screen. If you often shoot in full sun, plan on a monitor or a screen loupe.
Who is the Sony A7 IV for?
Sony A7 IV, body. 33 MP full frame, viewfinder and dual card slots.
The A7 IV is the logical choice if you get paid for both kinds of work, such as weddings or brand content. Its 33 MP give you files you can crop and print, and it shoots up to 10 frames per second. Neither of the other two reaches that resolution.
For video it delivers without trouble: 10-bit 4:2:2, S-Cinetone and S-Log3, with 5-axis stabilisation of up to 5.5 stops. It also has dual slots for CFexpress Type A and SD UHS-II, which you will appreciate when you cannot afford to lose a file.
Its limitation is 4K at 60p, which is recorded with a Super 35 crop. At full width, 4K reaches 30p, derived from 7K, with very good detail. If 4K slow motion is a regular part of your work, the FX30 is a better fit.
Who is the Sony ZV-E1 for?
Sony ZV-E1, body. 12.1 MP full frame, 483 g with battery and card.
The ZV-E1 looks like the weakest of the three if you only count megapixels, and it is exactly the opposite: 12.1 MP on a full-frame sensor means very large photosites, and that is what gives it such clean footage at high ISO. Its range reaches ISO 102400, expandable to 409600.
It is designed for people who shoot without help. Dynamic Active stabilisation holds walking shots together without a gimbal, it has a three-capsule directional microphone, and the vari-angle screen lets you see yourself while recording. That is why it works so well for vlogs, interviews and documentary.
In exchange, it has no viewfinder and it is not a camera for high-resolution stills: at 12 MP, there is very little room to crop. For 4K at 120p and Full HD at 240p you need to install the free firmware update.
So which one should you buy?
Choose the FX30 if you only shoot video, want 4K slow motion and would rather spend your budget on lenses. The Super 35 sensor also lets you use more compact lenses.
Choose the A7 IV if you need one camera for everything and photography is a real part of your commissions.
Choose the ZV-E1 if you work alone, shoot in low light and care about weight. For video in dim conditions it is the clearest option of the three.
Do not buy the ZV-E1 if you will shoot products or landscapes for print, nor the FX30 if you are uncomfortable without a viewfinder. If you are looking to step up to full-frame cinema, the Sony FX3, at around €3,470, is the next level.
How buying from PhotoFury works. The price on the product page is the final price, with no customs charges on delivery, and shipping is free in the EU from €100. Estimated delivery is 8-15 working days. We explain it step by step in how to buy at PhotoFury.
Frequently asked questions
Do the same lenses work on all three?
Yes, all three use the Sony E mount. Keep in mind that the FX30 has a Super 35 sensor, so a 24 mm lens frames tighter than on the A7 IV or the ZV-E1.
Which has the best autofocus for video?
All three use the BIONZ XR processor and hybrid autofocus with subject tracking, so the difference will not decide your purchase. The A7 IV has the most points, 759, and the ZV-E1 focuses down to -6 EV.
Do they use the same battery?
Yes, all three use the NP-FZ100. If you already own batteries from another recent Sony, they will work.
Can the FX30 be used for photos?
Yes, it has 20.1 MP, but its design, with no viewfinder, is focused on video. If photography is an important part of your work, the A7 IV will be more comfortable.