Z CAM E2 E2 Review

The Z CAM E2 gives you 4K 160fps and internal ProRes at a price that's hard to beat, but only if you can stomach its awful autofocus, confusing menus, and total lack of stabilization. It's a specialist's tool that delivers top-tier frame rates for budget-conscious filmmakers who don't mind tweaking and rigging.

The Z CAM E2 is a dedicated cinema camera that punches way above its weight for high-speed shooting. We're talking 4K at up to 160fps and 1080p at 240fps, all recording straight to 10-bit ProRes 422 or H.265. It's built around a Micro Four Thirds sensor and a compact box design that weighs just 757g, making it a legit option for drone rigs, gimbals, and tight spaces. But this isn't a hybrid camera. You get no built-in viewfinder, a tiny fixed display, no autofocus you'd want to rely on, and zero stabilization. It's a pure video tool that demands you know what you're doing.

What it does offer is flexibility that rival mirrorless cameras can't touch at this price point. Gigabit Ethernet for control and live streaming, multi-camera sync for up to 100 units, and an active user community that's already figured out the workarounds. The menus are notoriously confusing and the audio has some noise quirks, but if you can handle the roughness, the image quality and frame rates are a steal for filmmakers on a budget.

In our database, the E2's burst metric (which here means high-speed video capture) sits at the 98th percentile, putting it among the absolute best right now for frame rates. Its video score is a leading 87th percentile, thanks to internal ProRes and 10-bit 4K. But dig deeper and the weak spots jump out. The sensor resolution is low enough to land in the 4th percentile, so forget about pulling high-res stills. Autofocus is inconsistent and falls behind most modern cameras, and the lack of in-body stabilization means you'll need a rig or gimbal for handheld shots. The small built-in screen is a real letdown for monitoring, and battery life is mediocre at best. It's a classic case of a camera that crushes one job (high-fps cinema) while completely ignoring others.

Pricing for the Z CAM E2 is all over the map, with listings we've seen ranging from about $482 to a very suspicious $737,617. Obviously the top end is some kind of mis-listing, but the spread tells you to shop carefully. Realistically, the body sells for well under $2,000 at most retailers, which is wild when you consider you're getting internal ProRes 422, 4K at 160fps, and professional ethernet streaming support. For indie filmmakers who can work around its quirks, the value is outstanding. Just double-check you're not paying for a bundle you don't need, and look for deals from authorized dealers with responsive support.

The Z CAM E2 goes head to head with mirrorless hybrids like the Sony Alpha a6700, Canon EOS R7, and Nikon Z 6II, but it's a very different animal. Those cameras give you excellent autofocus, in-body stabilization, large sensors, and a viewfinder for stills, making them far more versatile. The a6700 and R7, for instance, will nail focus in video without breaking a sweat, and they have better battery life. But none of them offer internal ProRes, 4K at 160fps, or built-in multicam sync over Ethernet. The Fujifilm X-S20 and OM System OM-5 Mark II are even smaller, but again, they're hybrids first. If you need to shoot a long event or a documentary where autofocus saves your bacon, grab one of those. If you're setting up a controlled cinema shoot with an external monitor and manual lenses, the E2's codec and frame rate advantage suddenly looks like a serious bargain.

If you need reliable continuous autofocus for tracking subjects, this camera will drive you nuts. Likewise, if you want IBIS for handheld run-and-gun work or a high-res sensor for stills, look at hybrid bodies like the Sony a6700 or Canon R7 instead. This camera also isn't for beginners who want an out-of-box solution with an easy menu system.

The Z CAM E2 is for filmmakers who value frame rates and professional codecs over creature comforts. If you're willing to rig it out with a monitor, batteries, and manual focus lenses, you'll get incredible slow-motion footage and reliable ProRes recording for very little money. It's not a run-and-gun camera, and the learning curve is steep, but the results can hang with gear costing far more. Great for indie shoots, multicam setups, and anyone building a compact cinema rig on a tight budget.