Nikon Z 30 DX-Format Mirrorless Camera

2024-12-06T04:01:30

pretty good

Zhiwei Y.

2024-07-28T08:50:49

nice dx camera. does what it is suppose to do. bought it for my daughter who wanted a point and shoot. thought the z30 is better and can be a stepping stone in the world of photography.

Minchan K.

2024-02-26T08:24:57

Nearly a year and a half later, a bit of school, a lot of online research, and a pile of parts later. This thing is rigged out to get some of the best videos I could have asked for. While heat can be an issue, lens options are thin for the relative cost of the camera body, and features on comparable cameras may be lacking. This camera will help you get better at film and photo.

Blohme

Originally posted at

2024-01-02T04:39:48

Overall great camera, especially for a beginner. I've already taken family photos with it outdoor overlooking a river, and the pictures were stunning. Also took it on a recent trip to Disneyland and the battery life did much better than I thought. The only time I had to charge it with my wireless charger I had was during the 25 minute long Christmas Parade. It did an excellent job. Only con i would say is there is no flash so when needed it can be difficult to get the perfect lighting for the shot you're trying to take.

Jenny

Originally posted at

2023-12-31T10:50:38

As a +40 year Nikon user I was excited when Nikon announced thiscool little camera. I have gravitated over the years from shooting fashion and advertising to primarily shooting and videoing corporate gigs. I run 2 Z6ii's and a gen-1 Z6 for work now. They work great. But I'm adding the service of providing live-streaming and SocNet video on-demand of training sessions/events for my clients. Enter the Z30. What a great solution over more formal videography needs and their attendant slow set-up and personnel-heavy productions. I can set up and run a multicam stream piped through an AtomX Cast with little to no drama, in under 15-20 munites. The Z30 is the perfect answer for the needs of online content providers, folks seeking to produce podcasts, etc. with 4k30p that's top-notch. The Nikon Z30 is a tremendous video solution that can also shoot a decent still image if needed. Additionally, its small size and flippy screen make it a very capable C-Cam for tight spots and unattended angles [no camera Op, so set and forget] on bigger productions [the 12-28PZ coupled with the ML-L7 remote is brilliant on a jib, slider, or stashed up high for BTS coverage]. TL;DR: The Z30 is a very capable industry-leading SMALL video solution for certain situations.

Robert A.

Originally posted at

2023-12-26T08:50:45

Before the Z 30, I had not been able to use a mirrorless camera other than on loan. I've ended up enjoying the lack of a viewfinder more than I expected and the adjustment was very natural. As noted in other reviews, the only con I'd list was the USB charging component provided being the only charger that is part of the camera kit. I've enjoyed learning the capabilities and limitations of the Z 30 with my work primarily being in low-lighting concerts, and I look forward to working more with it.

Benedetto M.

Originally posted at

2023-12-25T18:44:38

This is nice little camera for stills and very nice video camera

jslozier

Originally posted at

2023-12-13T11:40:44

I like the speed of the new cameras and this one is a pleasure to use. I am a long time "viewfinder" guy but I am getting used to using the display especially since using pocket cameras. A little difficult in bright sun but guess I will lean to deal. Miss the flash though. Yes, cameras are fast in natural light but I often use daylight fill. I will pay for a viewfinder, flash and battery charger. Give us the option! They can't cost that much!

Geekster

Originally posted at

2023-10-22T14:12:16

I bought this as a pocket camera to take in the concerts when they don't allow cameras other wise I use my z6 or my 780 but this camera is doing a fine job

ChiefSlowroller

Originally posted at

2023-09-30T17:08:52

This camera is primarily marketed as a content creator's tool due to its compact size and video capabilities, but it takes great photos as well! I purchased the Z30 to have a smaller camera that is easy to take with me when I need to pack light. This little camera offers exceptional quality in a small package. I've really been enjoying taking the Z30 out to see what I can capture. The technique for taking photos is a little different from more expensive cameras because it lacks a viewfinder, but the screen is clear and crisp, and gets plenty bright when shooting outside.

Jerry B.

2023-09-07T09:02:59

I'm still learning how to use my new Nikon Z30 but so far very pleased with how easy it was to add my other lenses after buying a connector. Pictures so far look great! Love that it came with other bonuses too and can't wait to try them all out!

MARIA B.

2023-09-07T07:13:35

Camera is great. Nice compact size. Images are very crisp with accurate color. I use it with 14-30 f4 and 24-70 f4 lenses. My only gripe is nikon does not include a charger for this battery only a charging cable to be plugged into a computer USB port. None of the manuals indicate if a non-nikon 5V/2.4A wall charger can be used instead of a computer. I guess I'll need to buy the Nikon wall charger!

Donald

Originally posted at

2023-09-02T03:41:56

I bought two Z30s primarily for video work (most of my paid camera work is videography, not still photography.) It was, at least for me, the first small, real camera that ticked all the boxes for my needs: Light, small, discreet, *no absurd 29m 59s lawyer-limit on video clip length.* Powers and charges over USB, (critical on long video shoots.) Clean HDMI out. Oftentimes, my two Z30s are the static shots in a three camera shoot-we can shoot in 4K, zoom and pan in post. When I'm manning a Z30 for video, I use its Small Rig cage so I can mount smooth zoom wheels, pull focus, etc. Still light, small, easy to deploy. But there's so much more. Nikon has packed the Z30 with amazing capability for video and stills. Customizable buttons, three recall memories, customizable info screens and menus. I bought these for video, but now they have become my favorite travel cameras as well. Once I customized for the way I like to shoot, I was amazed to discover all it can do. I'm far sighted, so for stills, it's challenging to shoot well without a viewfinder. Since I can't adjust a diopter, I tend to use reading glasses so I'll not trying to hold the Z30 as far from my face as my arms will stretch. So perhaps obviously, on the rare occasions I'm paid to shoot sports, action, or wildlife, I lug my Z8, big glass, and sometimes even a tripod and gimbal. (Of course all that gear is like ten times the weight of a Z30 with an Z DX 18-140 f/3.5-6.3.) For the price (and even way above), the size, the weight, the Z30 is untouchable for the eclectic work and hobby video and photography I do.

FelixMendeldog

Originally posted at

2023-08-02T02:03:48

An excellent choice for a starter camera for photography and videos. The camera itself can be used as a webcam for online but then a compact beast for photos. It can take videos in 4k30fps, 1080p60 and so much for slow-mos if you are into that. This was my first choice for a camera starting off because of the durability and protection it has, especially conpared to its competitors (like the Sony EV-Z10). The display screen has a higher resolution than its competitors so what you see on that is what you'll see when you take the picture or taking video. The handgrip for holding the camers is way more ergonomic so it fits and holds better in hand. I also want to talk about how the menu/settings for this mirrorless camera couldn't have been better. Yes, some other brands might have a teeny tiny bit more options, but it can tend to be more confusing depending on your experience level. But overall, even with higher experience the menu/settings is very user friendly and gets the job done, and done well. The battery lasting longer would be nice but its not a deal breaker, or at least for me. It gets about 3hrs battery life which is more than enough for what I use mine for. (I use mine for streaming, vlogging, environmental photos/cars) Along with this camera, the support for Nikon for questions and everything has been outstanding. Registering this on Nikons website will give you access to a free video to help you understand more about the Z30 as well which was handy. Overall, I have no complaints and would definitely buy another if it came down to it.

Jacob

Originally posted at

2023-07-20T05:09:11

I love the small size and high performance of the Z30. It's amazing in low lighting conditions and the flip out screen is much better than the other brands in this price range.

John D.

Originally posted at

2023-07-08T11:03:39

I have a D780 and D750 so I bought the Z30 to be a travel camera and to do video/podcasts. I love it. Besides being small and lite, it's fast, takes great pictures even in auto mode, has good color balancing, and uses the familiar Nikon settings. I can use my other lenses on it with the FTZII adapter with no loss of quality. For me it's a great third camera but is my first mirrorless camera and I'm really impressed.

Thomas N.

Originally posted at

2023-06-21T20:16:22

I wanted a small camera in my bag to go along with my full-frame camera, it had to be small, light, and simple to use. The Z30 is all of that and much much more. The photo quality is amazing, I don't care that this camera is marketed for "creators" (a.k.a. vloggers), I am just using it to "create" still photographs and this camera has a very good sensor for that, with good dynamic range and great color, plus, the B&W mode is quite nice. The small 16-50 kit is also good, and very sharp at all focal lengths. I highly recommend this camera/kit.

Eduardo P.

Originally posted at

2023-06-05T10:19:42

I started shooting Nikon back in the film days, over 50 years ago. Recently got it as an alternative to my Z6ii. Got it with the kit lens and the creator's kit. This is a nice, light, everyday camera. That touch screen is off the scale. Great for silent candid shots, videos, portraits and street photography. Excellent for low light situations, such as nigh and indoor images. Darn right I recommend it!

Riberto R.

Originally posted at

2023-05-03T07:27:33

Perfect for vlogging and video production

Peter A.

2023-04-04T11:20:53

I recently purchased the Z30 with the 16-50mm. I think its much more than a vlogging / content creator camera. Due to its size and video capabilities, it makes for an excellent small camera to take on trips, photo walks and doing street photography. I find it has quick focusing, support silent photography, nice menu customization modes and the ability to create your own filters within in camera. The only downside I've found is in bright sun the screen is hard to see (needs to be brighter) the screen. Plus, the pixel count is only 21MP; IMO, it should be 24MP considering how long 24MP has been in the marketplace. Lastly, the price is great...very affordable.

PhilG

Originally posted at

2023-02-02T14:02:58

I am blown away by the Nikon Z30 and its kit lenses! They produce results that I am more than satisfied with. Because of the high quality of the kit lenses, this kit is worth every penny.

TAEKYUN C.

2023-01-08T00:29:33

I am delighted with this camera and often use it as a backup to my Z6 or as Travel Camera. I am especially pleased with the video quality for the price of the camera. I have had great fun playing around with some vintage glass on it. The picture profiles are good, but would be nice to have some kind of LOG option

Paul N.

Originally posted at

2022-12-16T07:45:30

Light and easy to carry all day long. Autofocus is great. I have had no problems with it.

Richard

Originally posted at

2022-12-15T06:21:55

Great second camera to my Z7ii. Compact, lightweight and easy to use. Started to use with the provided kit lens, but shortly switched to 18 to 140/3.5-6.3 Excellent travel and all around system. enjoy very much. Strongly recommend.

Libor K.

Originally posted at

2022-12-13T03:19:31

I?ve really enjoyed this camera. To be fair I was concerned about not having an EVF. However the screen being able to articulate really makes this tiny camera a joy to shoot with. The light weight design and figged exterior still feels like a Nikon in the hand. Being able to program the buttons to match my other bodies makes it easy to pick up and run with as well. I?ve already won awards for photos taken with the camera even though my main reason for purchasing it was for video. The video renders nicely and looks great on screen. Honestly. I can?t really find fault in this camera.

Bryan H.

Originally posted at

2022-12-08T02:17:04

When it was time to upgrade my production equipment from my Nikon D3400, the z30 came HIGHLY recommended by my friend who actually owns a z50!

Brandon M.

2022-12-05T14:09:49

A really great camera for video shooting. Good iso performance, good focus, VR, stabilization, amazing screen and lightweight. But PLEASE FIX the overheating problem. You are making the camera unusable for creators.

Giorgos R.

Originally posted at

2022-11-27T14:49:15

Autofocus needs to be fixed. I have the z50 and the autofocus is 10 times better and stable than the z30. Please fox in a firmware update.

Sam K.

Originally posted at

2022-11-09T12:57:14

I purchased this camera for content creation and Youtube videos. I absolutely LOVE it. Right out of the box, I was able to get quality images and video. I only use it on AUTO mode right now, but I am not disappointed at all. I do recommend watching the course to take advantage of some of the settings if you are a newbie.

Shadiamond H.

Originally posted at

2022-11-05T14:33:13

The Nikon Z30 is Nikon?s newest and smallest camera in its DX (APS-C, or cropped sensor) lineup. The Z30 is an entry-level camera designed primarily for vloggers, although it borrows all of its major components from the Z50 and Z fc, both very good cameras that can produce excellent photos. The biggest difference between this camera and all other Z cameras is that the Z30 does not have an electronic viewfinder, or any viewfinder, so photos or videos must be taken from the rear screen. The flippy screen on the Z30 also opens to the side and can be rotated 180 degrees, a big positive for vloggers and video content creators. The Z30, like the Z50, can record 4k video up to 30p, but the Z50 and Z fc has a 30-minute video or clip limitation, while the Z30 is capable of recording up to 125 minutes of full HD 24p/25p video, depending on battery life, memory card limits, and the body?s internal temperature. The Z30, like most Nikon cameras, has very good ergonomics, with a deep grip. All of the buttons on the back of the camera are reachable with one hand, and the camera as two Function buttons, a nice touch for an entry level camera. It feels well-built and substantial. Additionally, like all Nikon DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, many of the buttons can be customized. The red ?Recording? button is larger than it is on other Nikon cameras, since this camera is aimed primarily at video creators. The Z30 can also be charged while in use with a compatible USB-C to USB-C cable (not included). Nikon does include a USB cable for charging the battery from a standard USB charger or laptop. The Z30 also includes a Tally light (recording light) on the front, useful for vloggers, but the Z30 does not have a headphone jack, so you cannot monitor audio (you can visually check audio levels on the screen for clipping). As an entry-level camera aimed primarily vloggers on the go, the lack of a headphone jack may not be a big deal. The Z30 also offers twin mics, so vloggers and video creators should get good audio results without an external mic. The Nikon Z 30 comes with one or two ?kit? lenses, the 16mm-50mm and a 50mm-250mm. Both are very light and are made of plastic (except for the glass), but both produce very good photos, and the 16mm-50mm in particular, is very small. You can easily fit the Z30 and the small 16mm-50mm lens in a jacket pocket. Nikon also makes a 18mm-140mm DX lens, and all of its full frame lenses, which for the most part are heavier and more expensive, can be used on the Z30. Additionally, Nikon has a 12mm-28mm DX lens on its lens ?roadmap,? a lens that will be likely be popular with vloggers and video creators. Taking photos with the Z30 is a bit more challenging for people who are used to or grew up using cameras with a viewfinder. The kit lenses are light, which helps, but in situations where careful composition is required, a camera with a traditional viewfinder would be more preferable. The rear screen, with 1,040,000 dots, does a pretty good job, even in full sunlight, but it is easier to see the details of a scene with a viewfinder. The Z30 has Nikon?s latest autofocus features, found in Nikon?s latest full frame mirrorless cameras, and the human and dog (or cat) eye detection feature works well. Additionally, the AF-F autofocus choice, for video, works quickly and holds focus. The Nikon Z30 is aimed at smartphone users looking to move up to a camera that can provide higher quality video and photos, and vloggers and videographers looking for an entry-level option. Additionally, the camera, with its small 16mm-50mm lens, or with the Z 28mm prime lens, is unobtrusive, and is a great option for street photography. Finally, combined with its two kit lenses, the Z30 makes for a very small, light, and affordable travel kit.

Richard A.

Originally posted at