Sony suspends orders for their cameras as global chip shortage continues to wreck havoc

First it came for the graphics cards, then it came for the video game consoles, and now the global semiconductor shortage appears to also have caused more trouble for Sony’s cameras.

In a post on their Japanese website, Sony issued a notice apologising to customers that they’ll be suspending the acceptance of orders from both customers and distributors for the Sony Alpha ZV-E10 mirrorless vlogging camera. Despite having only launched it a few months ago, Sony is struggling to find and obtain parts to manufacture the camera due to the global semiconductor shortages, and will only consider taking in orders again if they can improve their supply chain.

The ZV-E10 was Sony’s attempt to target the vlogging crowd. It offered a large APS-C 24.2MP sensor with an ISO range between 100-32,000, and had Sony’s Fast Hybrid auto-focus with 425 points of focus. The interchangeable mirrorless mount also allowed it to use any Sony 60-plus E-mount lenses. It shot video at up to 4K 30fps, with built in three-capsule directional microphone and a windscreen in the box too. It did lack in-body image stabilisation though, instead using electronic stabilisation as well as recording gryo sensor metadata for further stabilisation during post-processing.

Unfortunately for Sony, it’s just the latest product of theirs that has had production suspended due to supply chain issues. Back in November, Sony had to put the A7 II, A6400 and A1600 cameras on hold as well as the PXW-Z190 camcorder and ECM-B1M shotgun mic. Meanwhile, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX680 camcorder was also suspended back in April of this year. And of course, Sony still has trouble keeping up with the massive demand for their Sony PlayStation 5 among other things.

As for the ZV-E10, it’s currently listed as sold out on the Sony Malaysia website, and judging by the suspension of orders from Sony’s HQ, it’s perhaps safe to say that we’re likely not going to see it becoming available again anytime soon. Which is quite a shame, as the ZV-E10 did seem like a good camera not just for vloggers, but also streamers who wanted a good webcam, or even just as a solid entry-level camera.

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