The second mirrorless camera with this size sensor is the Nikon Z30. This new product comes for vloggers and content creators searching for a portable. It has a light camera of higher quality than its smartphone.
The Z30 employs the same Z lens mount as Nikon’s considerably bigger full-frame sensor cameras, such as the Z9, Z7 II, Z6 II, and Z5, despite its small size. As a result, it can use the same selection of Z branded FX lenses, however, with a 1.5x crop factor.
The Nikon Z30 offers several notable features, including a 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor. The EXPEED 6 processor, 4K UHD video recording at 30p and 1080 Full HD up to 120p, both without cropping, a maximum of 125 minutes of continuous recording time, stereo microphones, a fully articulating touch-screen LCD, an autofocus system with 209 phase-detection AF pixels, an ISO range of 100-51200 that’s expandable to 20400.
The current list price for the Nikon Z 30 is $846.95. There are also numerous kits with DX-format Z-mount lenses available. The Nikon Z30 is made in Thailand.
What we will see here?
Build and Handling
The Z30’s body closely resembles the current Z50 model, save for the absence of the viewfinder and the addition of a tally lamp on the right. But it’s more complex than that; the hand grip has been made a little deeper, and the buttons on the top plate have been rearranged to make it simpler to access the REC button whenever you’re holding the camera in front of you that direction.
Like the Z fc, the rear screen articulates out to the side and, by default, activates a self-portrait mode with streamlined touchscreen controls meant to be used at arm’s length. Although it isn’t a brand-new feature for the Z30, it is appropriate for this camera.
The option to modify exposure compensation—the brightness level the camera tries to maintain—while in auto mode is new. As a result, you can control the brightness and contrast of your footage without switching to a more complicated mode on the camera.
The camera feels sturdy if you’ve used a Nikon, and the menus are pretty simple. Twelve of the camera’s most important settings are accessible via the I menu, which you can edit if there are other settings you want quick access to.
Features
A Z50 or Zfc camera without the viewfinder should turn into a Z30. Since development is always going on beneath the surface, it is never relatively straightforward, but it may be a reasonable summary of facilities.
This is not bad because the focus is on vlogging, and people who carry the camera for lengthy periods will appreciate its reasonably light body. The various-angle screen is clear and straightforward to view, and it switches to selfie mode when it is facing forward.
Although this is a DX-format body, the wide Nikon Z mount on the front of the camera will support crop sensor DX optics and full frame FX lenses.
The Nikkor Z DX 16–50mm f–3.5–6.3 VR lens included with this package is considerably better suited for the camera because it is small, light, and performs superbly. Although unfortunately, there is no weatherproofing, vlogging in the rain is probably not very common.
WiFi or Bluetooth connections are guaranteed, and the SnapBridge App for cellphones enables image backup and sharing. With the free Nikon Webcam Utility software, the camera can also be used as a high-end webcam. You may get this from the Nikon website.
Performance
Poor to mediocre stability is seen. The Z30 relies on lens-based and the body’s electrical VR because it lacks IBIS. When used in tandem, they can maintain the appearance of steadiness in static photos. Still, if you attempt any form of camera movement, such as a steady pan or walking while filming, the VR quickly reaches its limits. Although it somewhat smooths things out, leaps rather than jitters are produced.
The electronic VR can also cause noticeable edge wobble when you’re moving forward while filming. The electronic VR maintains the center object steady, exaggerating the movement of those close to the edges. There are slight changes in camera location between frames and parallax variations between near and far objects.
You can use the Z30 with one hand while standing and get excellent steady images. Use a gimbal or tripod and turn off both VR modes. Unfortunately, 4K 60p isn’t offered, especially since the iPhone 13 Pro has it. However, asking for a budget video camera would have been a lot.
Undoubtedly, the Z30 is a competent vlogging tool. There is a noticeable learning curve for people accustomed to shooting with a smartphone. Unfortunately, the camera lacks a specific, automatic video mode to fill the void.
Image and Video quality
Additionally, the Nikon Z30 will provide clear and bright images up to ISO 6,400 in various shooting situations. If you can, try to avoid ISO 12,800 and 25,600 if you want to minimize the adverse effects of noise.
It’s important to consider how autofocus affects white balance. For instance, the Z30 appears to favor subject detection when rendering colors. Depending on whether autofocus has tracked and locked on to a person, you can photograph the same image and have dramatically different white balance results.
Although some full-frame Z mirrorless lenses, like the 40mm f/2 and 28mm f/2.8, are sharper and physically compatible with the Z30 camera, the 16-50mm kit lens is remarkably crisp.
No APS-C lenses, not even a single prime, are available. Users are suspicious of this camera system since it has an unhealthy camera-to-lens ratio of three to one.
Battery
The Nikon Z30 has a CIPA rating of 330 shots per charge and utilizes the same EN-EL25 battery as the other two APS-C Z-series cameras. Depending on how you shoot, you might obtain twice this number, but these ratings tend to be somewhat cautious.
330 isn’t an excellent rating, but the Z30 can be powered by an additional external battery or recharged using its USB-C port if you have a powerful PD power supply.
Does Nikon Z30 have ibis?
The Z50 and Z30 lack in-body image stabilization (IBIS), relying instead on the lens attached to provide it. On the new Z30 and Z50, you can use the electronic vibration control option to assist in stabilizing your video footage, although it does result in an additional 1.3x cut.
Which is better, DSLR or mirrorless?
The optical viewfinder on the DSLR allows for improved low-light shooting and a greater variety of interchangeable lenses. On the other hand, mirrorless cameras can capture more photos at faster shutter speeds, are lighter and more portable and offer better video quality even in entry-level versions.
Conclusion
The Nikon Z30 follows the Nikon Z50 and Nikon Z fc as the third APS-C mirrorless camera. Although each of the three cameras has its design style, they all have a similar build quality and the same photo and video recording capabilities.
The Z30 is the most affordable option, designed for those new to vlogging, and it openly competes with the Sony ZV-E10. Its viewfinder-free, compact design, including a vari-angle touch screen and tally lamp, is undoubtedly video-centric.
The Z30 is a competent shooter with the fantastic 16-50mm kit lens, but we wish it had a headphone jack and a more comprehensive range of lenses.
