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Sony Alpha ZV-E1 vlogging camera gets 4K 120 FPS support via free software download

Sony's ZV-E1 is a premium, compact, full-frame camera aimed squarely at the online video creator or hybrid shooter that wants no-compromises performance. (Image source: Sony)
Sony's ZV-E1 is a premium, compact, full-frame camera aimed squarely at the online video creator or hybrid shooter that wants no-compromises performance. (Image source: Sony)
Sony has finally announced the much-awaited software update that enables 4K 120 FPS video recording for its Alpha ZV-E1 full-frame mirrorless vlogging camera that it released earlier in 2023. Not only does the update enable 4K 120 FPS recording, but it also unlocks 1080p 240 FPS recording, greatly expanding the slow-motion capabilities of Sony's diminutive creator camera.
Camera Software Launch

Just a few short months have passed since Sony released its Alpha ZV-E1 full-frame, interchangeable-lens, mirrorless camera aimed at content creators. The company has just announced a free software update for the ZV-E1 that enables 4K 120 FPS and 1080p 240 FPS video support, as reported by Sony Alpha Rumors. The upgrade arriving as a free download is a welcome surprise, since, when Sony released the camera, there was speculation that Sony would try and sell the 4K 120 FPS feature as a paid upgrade.

The upgrade allows the ZV-E1 to capture 4K 120 FPS footage with Long GOP Compression enabled, meaning there is bound to be a slight loss of quality, especially in scenes with a lot of fast motion. Whether this will be noticeable is a different story, though. Regardless of marginal quality losses, improved slow-motion capabilities are surely a welcome update.

The upgrade is unlocked by entering your camera's serial number into Sony's Creators' Cloud site, downloading the license, and copying it to your SD card for installation. Sony has a detailed license activation guide on its website for those that haven't done it before and need some guidance.

With the upgrade to 4K 120 FPS, Sony's ZV-E1 joins a small, but growing, list of premium cameras that support high-framerate video capture in 4K. Sony hasn't published any information regarding thermal or recording limits, but some reviews have noted that the camera does overheat after some in all 4K recording modes.

Buy the Sony Alpha ZV-E1 mirrorless camera body on Amazon.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2023 06 > Sony Alpha ZV-E1 vlogging camera gets 4K 120 FPS support via free software download
Julian van der Merwe, 2023-06-28 (Update: 2023-06-28)