I couldn't resist any longer.... the Z Cam E1 is now MINE!! :-D

The orders have been placed with B&H

@markr041

Think about writing to their marketing, as I guess that only here you helped them sell around 10-15 cameras.

@IronFilm @markr041 I took the plunge as well!

For those who are coming late to the party, the price has gone up but only to $250:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1203955-REG/z_camera_e1cam3a701_e1_mini_4k_video.html

(Although strangely the white "gift" box version is $300!)

The SLR Magic 8mm f4 is still $169 (as the E1 is perfect for low budget but higher end 360VR, if a person plans to buy a bundle of them):

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1322738-REG/slr_magic_slr8m4_8mm_f_4_lens.html?sts=pi

Has anyone done a battery run-down? Am I understanding that the camera will operate on USB power?

"Am I understanding that the camera will operate on USB power?"

It is hard to answer such a question. What does "USB power" mean? I think I know what you are asking.

In any case, here are the facts:

1. The camera external power requirement is 5V, 2 amps. So, most "USB" chargers could power the camera, since they are usually 5 volts, if the power port were USB. But an AC adaptor can provide 5 volts and 2 amps and not be USB. Indeed, the included AC adaptor provides 5V 2A but is not USB. And, an AC adaptor can be other than 5 volts and be USB. So, "USB power" means nothing.

2. The camera will work indefinitely plugged into a power source that gives 5V 2 amps. It can operate without a battery therefore. It will operate on external DC power alone.

3. The power port, however, is not a USB port. You can purchase, as I have, a cable that has a standard USB male plug on one end and a barrel connector on the other end that plugs into the camera port. This will enable one to use standard cell phone "USB" AC adaptors or those "USB" external batteries. Or, you can just use the included non "USB power" adaptor.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/251682414785

The camera does have a USB port, for data transfer and perhaps remote control. It is actually useful to have a seperate power port from the usb port, since the unit can be powered while using the usb port.

I hope this adds to your understanding. :)

@Mark041 Thanks. I wonder when we will just get all the frame rates in cameras.
@Ironfilm I have 8 or so G7, GX85 whatever, ax100s for my multicam stuff. 23.976 is the common rate, although I could go 30p I suppose, I never liked the look of 30p so much. Every now and then I need a tiny cam for a funny angle or to hide on a stage.

@DrDave To clarify - the Z Camera E1 shoots 4K UHD at 23.976. So it will match all of your other cameras at that resolution. Only 4K DCI is at 24.00, the film standard. This is exactly the same as the GH4.

So the USB port on the camera can't be used to power it?

@orey10m Thanks. But, this video shows what I said - what the GX85 does is not the same as what the Z can do for focus pulls with pre sets. The A/B transition on the Z is in standard video mode. There is no need to go into any mode like "Snap Movie". And when you choose your A and B points you do not have to set any time interval. You simply touch A then touch B for any interval you want while shooting. No limit to a 4-second or 8 second little movie.

And finally, and most importantly - on the GX85, this gimmicky 4/8 second little video mode (yes, you are limited to 4-8 seconds of a video clip) is limited to 1080p and all auto. There is no resolution limit for using the A/B transition on the Z and it works in PASM and you have no time limit - you can do the transition at any time and keep shooting, just as my video shows.

I do not find this "Snap Movie" mode on the GX85/G85 to be comparable at all. The A/B capability of the Z is similar to what the GH5 can do. It is a professional feature; on the GX85 it is a consumer gimmick.

@IronFilm As was said, there is a usb port for data transfer and possibly remote control. There is another port for power, but it conforms to the standard "usb" power requirement - 5V 2A, so if you get the right cable, you can use any standard "usb" chargers and external batteries. The advantage of not having the usb port be the power port is that you can use the usb port for many uses and still fully power and charge the camera externally.

I get that the disadvantage is that you cannot use any standard usb cable to charge (you need a special usb cable (readily available)). But once you get the cable, you can use standard power adaptors/batteries.

Actually, can you post instructions on how to update the firmware? I'm on a mac. I downloaded the .bin file from their website. Now my computer just keeps 'archiving' it, and creating what look like zip files but have the extension .cpgz

price is up to $499 -(;