Sony ZV-E10 II vs Panasonic S9: Which is the better CREATOR CAMERA?

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In the last few months, we’ve seen two compact, affordable cameras released that target content creators, the Sony ZV-E10 II and Panasonic S9. After our initial looks at both, Jordan Drake has decided to put them head to head and see which is the better buy.

0:00 - Intro
1:36 - Handling and Interface
3:17 - Video Quality
4:32 - Audio
5:56 - Battery Life
7:25 - Stabilization
8:48 - Lens options
10:08 - Autofocus
11:31 - Price
12:07 - Final rankings

[MicroFourNerds]

Love your thoughts as always! My two cents:

I could not care less about a headphone jack. It's the same gear, same levels, and same voice I use over and over. Once I've set levels once, nothing ever needs to change. I turn everything on... Are the levels moving on screen when i talk? Yes? Cool, let's record.

The only thing that could thwart me is a dodgy cable. But even then, that would probably show in the levels bars. If im shooting weddings, or other paid work, then of course. But the s9 probably isn't for that.

And IBIS is essential. For me at least. I don't care if walking and vlogging is out-dated, what about else? Every shot of b-roll? Never mind the a-roll. I think it's such an oversight not to include ibis. Especially on a creator camera.

Totally agree about the lens line up on the S9! I hope there are more smaller lenses on the way. I think the f8 pancake is the worst lens I've ever used, honestly 😂

[clonkex]

I have watched MANY of your videography reviews, Jordan, and I have to say, I actually don't think most people ever monitor their audio. They just whack a microphone on, maybe do a test recording if they're smart, then go out and start filming. Only true videographers would monitor their audio. Regular people are also trying to enjoy the moment with whomever they're pointing the camera at.

[wingspan]

I think you might be undervaluing the stabilization. It's the biggest difference I noticed in your reviews and is really distracting on the sony.

[Wildridefilms]

No mention of the displays on cameras without EVFs? Also the 6k open gate is incredibly useful for people shooting both vertical and horizontal. The app integration on the Panasonic was ignored. The recording limits on the S9 were also not mentioned. And if the high end features of the S9 are too overwhelming for creators, who is going to monitor audio or plug in XLR microphones from that crowd?
This video feels a bit rushed trying to justify Jordan's previous thoughts rather than getting a very balanced overview, unlike other videos from you guys.

[TheNewTravel]

Full time creator here. Camera manufacturers seem truly confused about what most creators need or want. From what i’ve seen, 9/10 content creators just want:

- great stabilisation
- never overheats
- reliable AF
- cool form factor
- no record limits

Very few outside of the camera niche care about:

- dynamic range
- rolling shutter
- log or raw video
- anything above 4k video

A bunch of travel creators still use the now discontinued Sony X3000 simply because it hits the first requirements and can easily fit in your pocket.

DJI understands this with their Osmo Pocket line. Pany and Sony continually offer creators slightly worse versions of their main camera lines… junk that no one ever asked for or wanted. Too underpowered for filmmakers and still too overpowered and complicated for entry level creators. In other words: pleasing absolutely no one and ending up in the trash bins of history.

[matdrat]

I bought the S9 to put M mount vintage lenses on it. Leica monochrome and 40 LUT spots. If I want to take advantage of the PDAF, Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN is a nice size lens for the body.

[chcomes]

opinions are free... but open gate, stabi and hybrid zoom are great. does the zve10 have a front dial?
personally i thin the s9 is great to hold without the extra grip

[chcomes]

I just spent 1 hour with my sister helping her configure her e1, the bigger brother, and next to it my s9.
1. over heating is real, the e1 hears up like crazy. I expect the e10 is the same.
2. sony easy? picture profile management is a nightmare. shooting mode is again a menu run...
3. the dim screen
4. the transfer to phone with mp4 (s9)
...
I have the feeling the s9 is much better value and maybe you just do not like the cam. The review I feel has holes. Maybe you disliked the camera and have not spent the necessary time with it?

[essiturbo]

A GX10 with g9II Specs would be better than both cameras.
I think Panasonic goes completly wrong way.
Nice test.Thanks

[pete_au]

Hey Jordan, thanks for the review. Always love your work in front of the camera! I would say that your 'defence' of the Sony is perhaps a bit flimsy and built on less important things such as handling, ergo and audio. The S9 wins on two of the most important things that impact the final video output produced by the camera: IQ and stab. The jittery nature of the Sony video due to lack of stab and the heavy crop required to deal with it puts that camera well into the corner in my view. The final output from the S9 puts it way ahead, your honor. I agree that price is an issue. When the Panny drops in price (and there is no doubt it will when initial demand is cleared) then it's another reason to buy the S9.

[jonccwong]

so if the ZV-E10 is usable only when stab is on.... and it crops in heavily. then doesn't that make Panny's 4k60p crop a moot point?
4k60p crop AND it's still better because of IBIS

[itssoaztek]

Very interesting, well made comparison. IBIS of the S9 would make me choose the S9 over the Sony. But, ultimately, both cameras come with issues which are a deal breaker for me, so I wouldn't buy either of them. Too bad, since I really would like to have a small full-frame camera. The Sigma FP is similar. Good, but not good enough.

[shot]

7:28 I think people underestimate how important stabilization is if you ever do walking shoots. Sony footage is borderline unusable imho…the video just looks terrible while moving and it almost gives me motion sickness. It misses the entire point of having a dedicated camera when the footage you capture has worse overall output than a phone because the subject bounces around so much in the frame and it distracts you from what’s going on in the video.

[hasenmyer]

I think you WAY over estimate the headphone jack for "normal" users. I'm not sure if you mentioned video record time limits, but if you didn't it was an important omission.

[houserhythm]

I know it's not exactly pocket change, but with the ZV-E1 being $1900 now, I really can't see spending $1500 on the S9 and not adding those $400 for a camera that puts everything to shame (for video) in this price range and that also has a HUGE variety of 1st and 3rd party lenses available.

[danieldougan]

The S9 makes the most sense as a relatively affordable B camera for an S5 II / S5 IIX. And that's probably where it will sell the most. If you use a multi camera setup for something like wedding videography, you can set up an S9 for a second angle alongside an S5 II / S5 IIX and match the footage seamlessly.

[LoightaFluwid]

The best creator camera is the Pentax Kf

[Markovratonjic]

I do agree with a lot. But when you praise some stuff on Sony as depth of field button and easier menus (which is true), and in the next segment talk about grading your video... I dont think that those are the same people. If you need to have "depth of field button", you are not even aware of what grading is. I don't have those cameras, so i can't judge the rest. I wouldn't buy camera without evf, and it pains me that panasonic didnt put hotshoe on that! They could have sold aftermarket evf for it.

[codythep]

S9 for family photos and short form content with smaller clips.

Sony for long form and getting the job done

[artistjoh]

S9 is puzzling because it would be more logical as a MFT compact.