Two weeks into this 30-day challenge, and I need to eat some words. After a month with the $5,000 RX1R III, I expected the ZV-E10 II to feel like a massive compromise. Instead, I’m finding myself reaching for it more often than I anticipated.
The Reality of Daily Carry
Let me be honest, I haven’t shot with it every single day. Between kids starting school, leading a weekend-long father-son event for 70 people, and fighting off a cold this past week, life got in the way. But that’s exactly the point, isn’t it? This camera is supposed to fit into real life, not demand special attention.
When I have carried it, I barely notice it’s there. The weight difference between this and the RX1R III is significant, but it’s the mental weight that’s really different. I’m not precious about this camera. It goes in the bag, comes out when needed, does the job.
The Zoom Advantage
Yes, the 16mm wide end roughly equals 24mm in full-frame equivalent, but having a zoom range of up to 50mm (75mm equivalent) has been liberating. After being locked at 35mm for a month with the RX1R III, even this modest zoom range feels luxurious. The power zoom is smooth and surprisingly useful for video work, though I’ve mostly been shooting stills.
An Unexpected Comparison
Last night provided the perfect test. I had both cameras with me at Flathead Lake during a rainstorm. The wet rocks looked incredible—that deep, saturated look you only get after rain. I shot the same composition with both cameras, plus my iPhone 16 Pro Max for good measure.
The RX1R III delivered that creamy full-frame bokeh falloff I expected. The iPhone did its computational photography thing. But the image I prefer? The one from the ZV-E10 II.
There’s something about how this little APS-C sensor rendered the scene—perhaps it’s the more extensive depth of field keeping more of the rocks in focus, or maybe the color science just clicked with the conditions. Either way, it reinforced something important: expensive doesn’t always mean better for every situation.
From Left to Right: Sony ZV-E10 II vs Sony RX1R III vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro Dilemma
Apple just announced the iPhone 17 Pro this week, and yes, I ordered the Pro Max (old habits). But using the ZV-E10 II daily has me reconsidering my whole approach. Maybe I should downsize to a smaller phone and make room for a camera like this as my everyday carry.
Looking at those rock photos side by side, there’s no question; the dedicated camera wins, even the “budget” one. The iPhone image is good, but it’s that processed, computational “good” that all phone photos have. The ZV-E10 II delivers something more honest, more photograph-like.
The Simplicity Factor
I still haven’t swapped the kit lens for anything else. Part of me wants to throw on a prime lens and see what this sensor can really do, but there’s something to be said for the simplicity of this combo. It’s been perfect for YouTube thumbnails on my tech channel and quick product shots where I need just enough reach and perspective control without setting up my full rig.
This camera has simplified my approach to everyday photography. No lens decisions, no heavy bag, no precious gear anxiety. Would I take this to a client shoot? No. But for documenting life as it happens? It’s proving to be exactly what Sony intended: a camera that’s always ready.
The Halfway Point
As I cross the halfway mark of this challenge, the ZV-E10 II isn’t just meeting expectations, it’s reshaping them. This isn’t a “beginner camera” in the limiting sense. It’s a camera that prioritizes ease of use and portability without completely sacrificing capability.
Maybe that’s exactly what more people need. Not everyone requires full-frame. Not everyone wants to manage multiple lenses. Sometimes you just need a camera that gets out of the way and lets you capture the moment.
Week 3 starts tomorrow. Time to finally try some different lenses and push this sensor a bit harder. But honestly? I might miss the simplicity of the kit lens.
Check out the ZV-E10 II Real-World Image Gallery to see the Flathead Lake shots and more images from the first two weeks.
