Nikon Z fc vs Sony ZV-E10 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Mirrorless · 21 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Nikon Z fc
72
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Sony ZV-E10
65
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Z fc and the Sony ZV-E10 are both 2021 APS-C mirrorless cameras that suit different shooting styles. The Z fc includes a built-in electronic viewfinder, while the ZV-E10 has none and is built around its flip-out screen for framing yourself. The ZV-E10 is the smaller, lighter body at 115 x 64 x 45 mm and 343 g, against 135 x 94 x 44 mm and 445 g for the Z fc, a 102 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2021 | 2021 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 29, 2021 | July 27, 2021 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 135 x 94 x 44 mm | 115 x 64 x 45 mm |
| Camera weight | 445 g | 343 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony ZV-E10 is the stronger choice for stills detail, with 24 MP against 21 MP in the Z fc, giving you more pixels when cropping or printing larger. Its 425 autofocus points outnumber the Nikon's 209, so you have more positions for your focus point. The Z fc is the pick for eye-level shooting. It offers a 2360000-dot electronic viewfinder, while the ZV-E10 has none and relies on its rear screen. The Nikon's standard ISO range also reaches 51200 against the Sony's 32000, for extra headroom in dim light. Both share an 11 fps top burst rate and no in-body stabilisation, so lens choice matters for handheld work. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
21 MP050 | 24 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5568 x 3712 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
23.5 x 15.7 | 23.5 x 15.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
11 fps045 | 11 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon Z | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 6 | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 |  4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 320003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
2048003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
2090300 | 4250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 91/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras handle the same core video work, with 4K recording, a 120 fps maximum frame rate and built-in timelapse. For slowing a skateboard trick, either body offers the same top limits. The ZV-E10 supports MPEG-4, XAVC S and MOV, while the Z fc supports MPEG-4 and MOV, so the Sony gives XAVC S as an extra recording choice for your editing workflow. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 1920 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, XAVC S, MOV |
| Features | 70/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesRear screen detail favours the Z fc, whose 1040000-dot LCD shows finer detail when checking focus than the ZV-E10's 920000-dot panel. Both are 3-inch touch LCDs that flip out for low-angle work. Connectivity and protection are shared ground. Both offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer, and both support an external flash. Neither includes a built-in flash, GPS or weather sealing, so both need accessories for geotagging or rain protection. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe ZV-E10 suits longer outings between charges, with a 440-shot battery rating against 260 shots for the Z fc. The Z fc offsets that with USB charging, so you can top up from a power bank, while the Sony does not offer this. Both accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, with the Z fc supporting UHS-I cards and the ZV-E10 additionally taking Memory Stick Pro Duo media. Neither offers a second slot. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL25 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
260 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Z fc for eye-level shooting with its built-in electronic viewfinder. Its higher-resolution rear LCD and USB charging help on location, and its higher standard ISO ceiling gives more headroom in dim interiors such as concerts.
Choose the ZV-E10 if you vlog, shoot handheld for long days or want a lighter travel body. It runs to 440 shots per charge, and its 24 MP sensor plus 425 AF points suit portraits where you crop afterwards. They use different native lens systems, Nikon Z and Sony E, so your existing lenses and the viewfinder drive the final call.