Nikon has announced entry-level Z30 Mirrorless hybrid. It has a 20.8MP DX-format CMOS sensor and the ability to shoot UHD up to 30p and HD up to 120p. It uses the same EXPEED 6 image-processing engine that was used in the Nikon Z7.
The Z30 was originally designed as a compact, affordable, mirrorless hybrid for vulgar and live streamers.
Key Features
- 20.8MP DX-format CMOS sensor
- UHD 4K30p and Full HD 120p video
- Live stream 60p, in-camera time-lapse
- Vlogging-optimized design
- Hybrid AF with eye and face detection
- 3 ″ 1.04m-dot free-angle touchscreen LCD
- Shooting up to ISO 100-51200, 11 fps
- Built-in stereo mic, extension. Mike compatible
- Tally lamps and dedicated selfie control
Size and weight
The Z30 tops the 12.3 oz / 350 g (physical only) scale and has almost physical dimensions. Dimensions (width x height x depth) 5.1 inches (128 mm) x 2.9 inches (73.5 mm) x 2.4 inches (59.5 mm).
Video features
As. As I mentioned, the Z30 is capable of recording UHD up to 30p and HD up to 120p on H.264 / MOV / MP4. Continuous recording up to 2 hours and 5 minutes available. Why 2 hours 5 minutes? Well, according to Nikon, under certain conditions, depending on the battery life and the internal temperature of the camera, it may not reach 125 minutes. What the marketing department does not specify is that the estimated shooting time for a 4K UHD is about 35 minutes, not 125 minutes.
You can use the Z30 as a live streaming camera. It is capable of UHD up to 30p and full D streaming up to 60p.
The camera has a 3.0 ″ 1.04m-dot free-angle LCD screen. This positionable screen can face to the front and can be turned inwards to protect the screen when not in use.
Selfie-style control lets you change focus position and exposure via the touchscreen while the screen is at the front. There doesn’t seem to be a headphone jack.
Nikon also includes a front red tally lamp to let you know when you’re recording. Speaking of recording, it is done in a single SD / SDHC / SDXC card slot.
The camera has a 3.5mm external microphone input with a stereo microphone.
The Z30 also has digital e-VR image stabilization and there are picks and zebras.
If you want to record externally, the camera will output the following via HDMI:
- UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 25p / 29.97p
- Full HD (1920 x 1080) up to 50p / 59.94p
Battery capacity
The camera uses an EN-EL25 rechargeable lithium-ion, 7.6 VDC, 1120 mAh, but it can also be powered by a USB-C input.
Other features
The camera employs a hybrid autofocus system that uses phase-detection and contrast-detection methods for both still and video applications.
The Z30 is capable of continuous shooting speeds up to 11 fps. It uses eye detection AF, and face and eye tracking can recognize people, dogs and cats.
The camera has an ISO range of 100-51200 ISO, or ISO 25600 when recording video.
In-camera time-lapse recording can also be done and the camera will automatically create a timelap from the still image.
Built-in presets and filters can also be used when taking photos or recording videos. Below are the available options:
- Auto
- Equal
- Landscape
- Monochrome
- Neutral
- Portrait
- Standard
- Lively
- Creative Image Control: (Dream, Morning, Pop, Sunday, Monday, Dramatic, Silence, Bleached, Melancholic, Pure, Denim, Toy, Sepia, Blue, Red, Pink, Charcoal, Graphite, Binary, Carbon)
- Selected image controls can be changed
- Storage for custom image controls
The camera is compatible with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and will work with the Snapbridge app for mobile devices. It enables users to remotely control the camera as well as wirelessly transfer photos and videos to a smartphone or tablet.
One for entry-level users ‘?’ Buttons that provide a clear explanation of all camera settings, as well as a dedicated auto mode.
Price and availability
Nikon Z30 is available for pre-order $ 706.95 The US dollar. That makes it a few hundred dollars cheaper than a Canon R10.
It is also available in a kit with a 16-50mm f / 3.5-6.3 VR lens 846.95 USD And for this with 16-50mm and a 50-250mm F / 3.5-6.3 VR lens 1,196.95 USD.
The scheduled release date for the camera is August 5, 2022.
While there’s nothing like jumping off a page with this camera, this seems like a decent offer for anyone interested in an entry-level mirrorless hybrid. There is a possibility of direct competition from the recently announced Canon R7 And R1.