Sony ZV-E1 vs Sony a1

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony ZV-E1 and Sony a1. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony ZV-E1 were released 2023 and Sony a1 was released 2021. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony ZV-E1 2023
Sony a1 2021

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony ZV-E1 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Sony a1 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony ZV-E1 has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a1 has 50 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony ZV-E1 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832
Sony a1 50 MP
49766400 pixels
8640 x 5760

Sony a1 has a 314 % larger resolution than Sony ZV-E1. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony ZV-E1 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a1. Sony ZV-E1 has an ISO range that stretches from 80 to 102400 while Sony a1 has 100 to 32000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony ZV-E1 80-102400
Sony a1 100-32000

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony ZV-E1
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a1

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony ZV-E1 can shoot up to 1 pictures per seconds and Sony a1 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony ZV-E1 1
Sony a1 30

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony ZV-E1 and Sony a1 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a1 weighs 737 gr (equal to 1.62 lb) which is 53% heavier than Sony ZV-E1 and its 483 gr (or 1.06 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony ZV-E1 483 gr
1.06 lb
Sony a1 737 gr
1.62 lb

Sony ZV-E1 vs Sony a1 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony ZV-E1 and Sony a1, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
Name Sony ZV-E1 Sony a1
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
Release Year 2023 2021
Release Date 2023-03-29 2021-01-26
MSRP 2199 USD 6499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS Stacked CMOS
Resolution 4240 x 2832 pixels 8640 x 5760 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 50 MP
Image Processor BIONZ XR Dual Bionz XR
Image
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
ISO Range 80 - 102400 100 - 32000
White Balance Presets 7 7
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
Yes
(Sensor-shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 759 759
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1036800 1440000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 9437184
Photography features
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
Frames per second 1 fps 30 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.265
XAVC-S
XAVC-HS
H.264
H.265
XF-AVC
XAVC-S
XAVC-HS
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-In 802.11ac (Dual Band)
Remote Control Yes (wireless or smartphone) Yes (via Bluetooth or tethered PC)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony ZV-E1
Sony a1
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery charger
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 570 shots 530 shots
Width 121 mm 129 mm
Height 72 mm 97 mm
Depth 54 mm 81 mm
Weight 483 gram 737 gram