I owned two of these and lugged them everywhere. Their small size allowed me to carry four different cameras to Iceland for a wedding. I filmed a crap load of things with these units and they were so cool but the files were limited and you really have to like what you are getting out of the camera.
After watching this video I went and checked my E1 for lens movement and mine is very tight.. You may have gotten a bad one. I agree with everything you said about this camera and mine doesn't leave the tripod. It's manual all the way and ISO doesn't go above 16-3200. I also downloaded the 100 mbps hack and pretty much keep it in 1080p 60 and the video is beautiful. Keep up the good work.
While you do have some valid concerns with the camera, I'd like to respectfully offer a few counters for you to consider. I've been using a pair of Z Cam E1 cameras for the past 3 years. They are very niche cameras, but really good if you take the time to learn the eccentricities. It is NOT an action camera and that's the biggest mistake that many reviewers have made. There is no image stabilization, but if you pair it with a Lumix lens with OIS, it does a decent job. There was a small cage and handle made by Taipan for the E1, but good luck finding one. I have never seen them for sale. For the most part, I have used them in stationary, out of the way places, for specialty shots like inside a refrigerator or on a stage where a GoPro is too wide or won't run long enough. They are also really easy to boom in if needed. Though I keep mine at the last firmware upgrade (ver. 0.31), the color and noise levels seemed to be better at version 0.28. (ver. 0.31 also, oddly enough, changed the shutter angle setting to shutter speed). There is a firmware hack (my reasoning for using the 0.31 firmware) that boosts the bit rate to 100mbps in 4K. It's easy to install, boots from the SD card, and easily reversed by removing the file from the card. I recommend checking it out as well as some test footage. Z LOG LUTs have crashed Premiere Pro quite often for me (actually, most anything crashes Premiere these days), even the ones I got directly from Z Cam. I've found that building my own LUTs has produced far better results. Customize one, load it into a small monitor like an Atomos Shinobi, and you've still got a compact set-up. Overall, the camera has gotten a bad reputation, but if you take your time and learn all the things it can do and work around what it can't, you can get a good, if not great image. In fact, I just found this article about them being used in Mission: Impossible 7 (paired with an SLR Magic 8mm f4 lens...a combo I use regularly). The author of the article is less-than-complementary of the camera, but it's nice to see them used in a practical way. ymcinema.com/2020/10/09/z-cam-e1-crash-cam-spotted-in-mission-impossible-7/ Take some time, get to know it, and you may be surprised at what you can do with it. All the best.
These cameras get a lot of hate. Mostly from people who can't manually focus their shots. If you are an old school filmmaker, this thing packs a lot of punch in a small package. I love my E1.
Great video! I found this bad boy for 25 dollars but I have no clue if it's gonna literally work or not lol. I was in the market for a new tiny camera I can stick places that my big rigs won't get into. I looked at the new action cameras, an rx0 ii with a rib cage mod, and the original bmpcc, but 25 dollars was too good to pass on. One question: how is the battery life?
I can't wait till we can record at 4k 60fps and 720 at 120fps at the same time then use an algorithm to merge the two, saving the detail of the 4k while adding the smoothness of additional frames per second.
@@andresgizmos1271 too intensive on the sensor and takes up too much bandwidth for most storage controllers in these types of handheld cameras (gonna need a large pro video camera)
Another great use case would be Livestreaming. It's compact, you can pair it with maybe a 12mm 1.4 from Panasonic and you have a great stationary setup.
@@FoxTailWhipz Lets see mid range I actually don't know at what range cameras come with decent specs It should not be too High or poor one Somewhere in between which can get the job done well ✅
@@CREATEWITHCREATON can't go wrong with a used a6500 or a6300, super 35, 4k autofocus and slog. It is 8 bit but thats something later on that when u upgrade you will really notice a big difference. If you don't need autofocus mayb a Gh4 or bmpc4k if you got a higher budget, but you will have to rig it out a bit
@@CREATEWITHCREATON you're going to need an actual price. if you can only spend lets say 200 USD then that limits you. but if you can spend up to 1000 USD then that gives you more options. that will help him give you a recommendation. feel me?
You should test the Sony ZV1 on Manual besides that has a 1” sensor is an interesting camera to use is very similar that one ☝️ but I am using it everyday as a scouting camera and is flawless (in manual)
@@cineffect I like it. I was able to get a used body for a really good price, I already have a lot of lenses for the system since it's what I use for my photography. The drawback is that there's no auto focus, but for streaming and sitting at a fixed distance that's not a deal breaker at all. You can check out a stream on mine to get a picture of its quality for streaming.
Why would you review a camera that was released way before (5 years ago), anything close to the mirrorless video cams had come to market. As well as anyone looking at this can just buy (released 2 years ago, btw), an E2C 10X the camera from ZCam, {where IN FACT, ZRaw has been integrated properaly shot at 12 but depth inside camera,( meaning not requiring a ninja V), }, for barely a couple hundred more at full retail, but I bought one of these for $200 in the box, 8 months ago, as a crash cam. Having used one since inception, and an E2M4, E2S6x2 now, I still firmly believe this camera was way ahead of its time. It’s worth noting, and we all have options, but Reese Witherspoon series, Back when this was released, used these daily, in hundreds of scenes. ZCam is STATE BACKED, wether you morally agree or disagree with China, E2 series cameras shot MI7, and prob will reappear in MI8 underway already. The most underrated point, I think would be FAIR, to point out, is even a new E2M4 shooting 240fps, full 4K,with latest firmware- (at reduced bitrates, still that’s their true entry level Cinecam), sells new for $1500, and a year later now used for maybe $1300, I paid $1450 for a NIB return. The E1 RETAIL$699 on ZCam, and used they are easily grabbable for $300 under. What other camera can do that, + Tilta or small rig actually makes a tiny fan unit,( which is standard even in a Komodo, and you absolutely can hear it, if you don’t isolate you mics properly- drives me nuts.
This cam is still so underrated 2021. MFT format offers so much versatility, I can't believe gopro hasnt tapped into larger sensors yet~
I owned two of these and lugged them everywhere. Their small size allowed me to carry four different cameras to Iceland for a wedding. I filmed a crap load of things with these units and they were so cool but the files were limited and you really have to like what you are getting out of the camera.
After watching this video I went and checked my E1 for lens movement and mine is very tight.. You may have gotten a bad one. I agree with everything you said about this camera and mine doesn't leave the tripod. It's manual all the way and ISO doesn't go above 16-3200. I also downloaded the 100 mbps hack and pretty much keep it in 1080p 60 and the video is beautiful. Keep up the good work.
Most are junk. I have 3. All needed major work to make them approach being usable.
it's hackable? can you tell me anything about this
While you do have some valid concerns with the camera, I'd like to respectfully offer a few counters for you to consider.
I've been using a pair of Z Cam E1 cameras for the past 3 years. They are very niche cameras, but really good if you take the time to learn the eccentricities. It is NOT an action camera and that's the biggest mistake that many reviewers have made. There is no image stabilization, but if you pair it with a Lumix lens with OIS, it does a decent job. There was a small cage and handle made by Taipan for the E1, but good luck finding one. I have never seen them for sale.
For the most part, I have used them in stationary, out of the way places, for specialty shots like inside a refrigerator or on a stage where a GoPro is too wide or won't run long enough. They are also really easy to boom in if needed.
Though I keep mine at the last firmware upgrade (ver. 0.31), the color and noise levels seemed to be better at version 0.28. (ver. 0.31 also, oddly enough, changed the shutter angle setting to shutter speed). There is a firmware hack (my reasoning for using the 0.31 firmware) that boosts the bit rate to 100mbps in 4K. It's easy to install, boots from the SD card, and easily reversed by removing the file from the card. I recommend checking it out as well as some test footage.
Z LOG LUTs have crashed Premiere Pro quite often for me (actually, most anything crashes Premiere these days), even the ones I got directly from Z Cam. I've found that building my own LUTs has produced far better results. Customize one, load it into a small monitor like an Atomos Shinobi, and you've still got a compact set-up.
Overall, the camera has gotten a bad reputation, but if you take your time and learn all the things it can do and work around what it can't, you can get a good, if not great image. In fact, I just found this article about them being used in Mission: Impossible 7 (paired with an SLR Magic 8mm f4 lens...a combo I use regularly). The author of the article is less-than-complementary of the camera, but it's nice to see them used in a practical way.
ymcinema.com/2020/10/09/z-cam-e1-crash-cam-spotted-in-mission-impossible-7/
Take some time, get to know it, and you may be surprised at what you can do with it.
All the best.
These cameras get a lot of hate. Mostly from people who can't manually focus their shots. If you are an old school filmmaker, this thing packs a lot of punch in a small package. I love my E1.
Great video!
I found this bad boy for 25 dollars but I have no clue if it's gonna literally work or not lol.
I was in the market for a new tiny camera I can stick places that my big rigs won't get into. I looked at the new action cameras, an rx0 ii with a rib cage mod, and the original bmpcc, but 25 dollars was too good to pass on.
One question: how is the battery life?
How would you rate it for livestream multicam setups?
I can't wait till we can record at 4k 60fps and 720 at 120fps at the same time then use an algorithm to merge the two, saving the detail of the 4k while adding the smoothness of additional frames per second.
Just record at 4k 120fps then?
@@andresgizmos1271 too intensive on the sensor and takes up too much bandwidth for most storage controllers in these types of handheld cameras (gonna need a large pro video camera)
Another great use case would be Livestreaming. It's compact, you can pair it with maybe a 12mm 1.4 from Panasonic and you have a great stationary setup.
I cannot find this camera anywhere. Where did you buy it?
This would be great as a CCTV camera for a movie
Size doesn't matter 😭😭
Can it shoot raw photos on an interval? What's the shortest interval? I want a camera to mount on a drone to capture aerial photos automatically
So de verdict is to shoot RGB and apply Rec709?
personally i still hope they make a proper mark II of it for drone use, streaming and multicam setups for musicians etc.
I can’t find this camera anywhere , where can I get one ???
This feels perfect for a camera on tripod setup
This actually helped me a lot, thanks for the video!
Can u suggest me the best all rounder camera for a beginner filmmaker who wants to create high quality videos for clients but cheap price
What is your budget?
Canon 50D w/ Magic Lantern (16 bit RAW video @ 1080p 2.35 24p 10-18mm 128GB CF)
@@FoxTailWhipz Lets see mid range
I actually don't know at what range cameras come with decent specs
It should not be too High or poor one
Somewhere in between which can get the job done well ✅
@@CREATEWITHCREATON can't go wrong with a used a6500 or a6300, super 35, 4k autofocus and slog. It is 8 bit but thats something later on that when u upgrade you will really notice a big difference. If you don't need autofocus mayb a Gh4 or bmpc4k if you got a higher budget, but you will have to rig it out a bit
@@CREATEWITHCREATON you're going to need an actual price. if you can only spend lets say 200 USD then that limits you. but if you can spend up to 1000 USD then that gives you more options. that will help him give you a recommendation. feel me?
Can you give me the link to the parts on your z cam
You should test the Sony ZV1 on Manual besides that has a 1” sensor is an interesting camera to use is very similar that one ☝️ but I am using it everyday as a scouting camera and is flawless (in manual)
You should the versus video against bmmcc for size and specs
really want one of those z cam e1 for my fpv drone but cant find it at a good price
Every once in a while one pops up on eBay!
need that best cinecam under 500 vid👍🏾👍🏾
Couldn't find this anywhere, been using a E2M4
they have used it in the movie Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning
I can only think about using this camera for as webcam 😹
I want this camera for live streaming.
Update, I got one for streaming.
@@wongobongo Does it work well for streaming? Do you get a clean output?
@@cineffect I like it. I was able to get a used body for a really good price, I already have a lot of lenses for the system since it's what I use for my photography.
The drawback is that there's no auto focus, but for streaming and sitting at a fixed distance that's not a deal breaker at all.
You can check out a stream on mine to get a picture of its quality for streaming.
Brooo i love ur channel 🤤 🎥
i own one, its cool little cam but display quality is so horrible
15fps? 🤨
I can't even find one under $500 new. What do you mean cheapest?
Sad when iPhones are better lol
Why would you review a camera that was released way before (5 years ago), anything close to the mirrorless video cams had come to market. As well as anyone looking at this can just buy (released 2 years ago, btw), an E2C 10X the camera from ZCam, {where IN FACT, ZRaw has been integrated properaly shot at 12 but depth inside camera,( meaning not requiring a ninja V), }, for barely a couple hundred more at full retail, but I bought one of these for $200 in the box, 8 months ago, as a crash cam. Having used one since inception, and an E2M4, E2S6x2 now, I still firmly believe this camera was way ahead of its time. It’s worth noting, and we all have options, but Reese Witherspoon series, Back when this was released, used these daily, in hundreds of scenes. ZCam is STATE BACKED, wether you morally agree or disagree with China, E2 series cameras shot MI7, and prob will reappear in MI8 underway already. The most underrated point, I think would be FAIR, to point out, is even a new E2M4 shooting 240fps, full 4K,with latest firmware- (at reduced bitrates, still that’s their true entry level Cinecam), sells new for $1500, and a year later now used for maybe $1300, I paid $1450 for a NIB return. The E1 RETAIL$699 on ZCam, and used they are easily grabbable for $300 under. What other camera can do that, + Tilta or small rig actually makes a tiny fan unit,( which is standard even in a Komodo, and you absolutely can hear it, if you don’t isolate you mics properly- drives me nuts.