Sony FX30 & ZV-E10 II Run and Gun Settings

Sony FX30 & ZV-E10 II Run and Gun Settings

If you've ever picked up a Sony camera like the FX30 or ZV-E10 Mark II and thought, "How do pros actually use this without diving into menus every 30 seconds?", you're not alone.

Sony FX30 & ZV-E10 Mark II

Oleg, a 15+ year videographer shares personal settings that minimize menu diving, allow real-time adjustments while recording, and speed up run-and-gun shooting. Oleg has refined the setups that turn these menu-heavy beasts into intuitive tools. These custom button assignments and function menu tweaks let you adjust exposure, focus, audio, white balance, and more – often while recording – for faster, smoother filmmaking.

Sony FX30 Custom Buttons: Exposure Triangle & Real-Time Adjustments

The FX30's button layout is a dream for customization. Head to Menu > Operation Customize > Custom Key/Dial Set > Video to replicate this pro setup.

Sony FX30 Custom Buttons

Exposure Dials:

Sony FX30 Dials

  • Front dial: Aperture
  • Rear dial: Shutter speed
  • Control wheel: ISO

Change all three core settings instantly – no menu required.

Record Options (for flexibility):

Standard top record button

Front record button (perfect for self-shooting/vlogs)

Shutter button reassigned to record (toggle in menu)

Key Custom Buttons:

  • C1: ISO Auto (quick EV compensation)
  • C2: White Balance (critical – adjustable even while recording, e.g., for concerts or shifting lights/tint)
  • C3: Magnify (precise manual focus aid)

C1, C2 & C3 on Sony FX30

C4: Focus Map (color overlays – red/blue show front/back focus miss)

C5: AF/MF Toggle (lock focus after AF for stable reportage)

Control Wheel Extras:

Sony FX30 Control wheel

  • Center press: Quick home menu (lock shooting, format card, etc.)
  • Left: Audio gain (mic levels – adjustable while recording)
  • Right: Screen brightness (Sunny Weather or manual)
  • Bottom: SteadyShot modes (Off/Standard/Active – change mid-record)

Top Joystick: Frame rate toggle (e.g., 100/50/25 fps)

This setup transforms the FX30 into a filmmaking powerhouse.

Sony FX30 Function Menu: Essential Quick-Access Tools

Go to Menu > Operation Customize > Function Menu Set > Video for these assignments (swipe up during shooting to access).

Sony FX30 Function Menu

Top recommendations:

  • Variable Shutter (fine steps to combat flicker)
  • AF Transition Speed (1=slow/smooth, 7=fast)
  • AF Subject Shift Sensitivity (1=sticky to one subject, 5=quick jumps)
  • Focus Area (Wide default; joystick to move zone/spot)
  • Display LUT (toggle Log preview)
  • Picture Profile (switch gammas, e.g., S-Log3)
  • Peaking On/Off
  • Recording Settings (view/change codec, fps, bit rate/depth instantly)
  • Zebra (toggle & levels – more below)
  • SteadyShot Adjust (Auto for electronic lenses; Manual for vintage – input focal length)
  • Touch Operations (tracking vs spot focus)

These keep critical video tools one swipe away.

Variable ND Recommendation:

Person adjusting a Locking VND lens with a blurred backgroundFreewell Real locking variable ND

Stackable, secure, adjustable density. Essential for fast lenses in bright light to maintain 180° shutter without stopping down.

Pro Exposure Tips: Zebra, SteadyShot & Variable ND Filters

Zebra Stripes (in Fn menu):

Zebra Display

  • 75+ for skin tones (expose until stripes vanish from face)
  • 95+ for highlights (decide what to clip – e.g., bright windows ok)

SteadyShot Manual:

Steady Shot

 

  • For vintage/non-electronic lenses: Input focal length manually for optimal IBIS

Sony ZV-E10 Mark II Custom Buttons: Smart Workarounds for Fewer Controls

The compact ZV-E10 II has limited buttons, but clever assignments make it vlog-ready.

Dials:

  • Rear dial: Shutter speed
  • Control wheel: Aperture & ISO (right press toggles ISO)

Record:

  • Shutter button reassigned solely to record

Custom Buttons:

  • Top C1: Magnify (manual focus help)
  • Main record button: White Balance (consistent muscle memory with FX30)
  • Trash: AF/MF toggle

  • Wheel left: Mic levels
  • Wheel bottom: SteadyShot (Standard/Active – Active adds ~1.4x crop)
  • Wheel right: ISO
  • Wheel top: Display functions

Touch Goodies:

  • Swipe side: Quick modes (Product Showcase, face/animal tracking)
  • Touch Functionality: Switch Touch Tracking (follows moving subjects) vs Touch Focus/Spot Focus (taps lock to MF)

Perfect for solo creators who need speed in a small body.

These best Sony video settings 2025 for FX30 and ZV-E10 II eliminate constant menu hunts, letting you focus on creativity. Pause any demo video, copy the assignments, and watch your workflow speed up dramatically. Happy shooting!

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