We have used the Z CAM E2-S6 camera on numerous shoots recently and have been seriously impressed!

Here is a short review on the why this small, cost effective cine camera shouldn’t be overlooked by filmmakers.

Where does Z CAM come from?

Z CAM are a Chinese company that established themselves in 2015 when they brought out the Z CAM E1. This was the world’s smallest 4K, MFT interchangeable lens mount camera. In Hollywood these cameras made an appearance on Mission Impossible 7 as an action camera for stunt scenes. In the short time that they have been producing cine cameras they have developed some of the best, affordable cine cameras out on the market. As well as the Z CAM cine range they are actually mainly known for leading the way in VR camera design.

The Pro’s

This Z CAM camera is a gateway into the cine camera world. We use RED Komodo’s and Blackmagic Ursa’s depending on the shoot, however these cameras do come at a much higher cost. You can pick up a Z CAM E2-S6 for around £1850.00.

One of the main reasons that we have grown to love the Z CAM is simple. The image quality. The footage looks absolutely stunning and with 14 stops of dynamic range the results we get are superb.

Not only is the Z CAM more affordable, has great image quality, but it is very robust being made out of mainly aluminium. Z CAM have made their cameras really adaptable with interchangable lens mounts but the ability to be rigged on many different grip setups is a huge plus. We use rigs such as Ronin’s and Tilta Car Mount rigs and the Z CAM works fantastically with them both. The ability to mount this camera on different camera rigs means that you can get extra creative with your shots and push the boundaries further. 

The Con’s

This wouldn’t be a review if there wasn’t a couple of downsides…

If you are thinking about investing in a Z CAM it is worth noting that there is very little (if any) image stabilisation. Depending on the type of filming that you do this is something to bear in mind. If you tend to film run-and-gun style, you need a gimbal rig such as a Ronin. If you have the budget you may want to look at the upgrade to the Z CAM E2-F8 where the global shutter really helps with that stabilisation. This comes at a much higher cost of £4500.00. Another downside is that the autofocus is pretty poor. This camera and has a long delay time to catch up with focusing on your subject.

The Verdict

The pros’s definitely outweigh the cons with the Z CAM. If it used in the right filming scenario it is worth every penny!. If you are thinking of investing in your first cine camera, this is the perfect camera to start with. The results from the footage speaks for itself.