The tiny but mighty Nikon Z30 is a camera that’s often overlooked in the West, but has proven incredibly popular in Japan, frequently making its way onto the BCN+ Ranking. And there’s one particular feature I don’t think is talked about enough: its imaging prowess.
Before I get into that, though, I want to talk about a few reasons why it hasn’t proven so successful in the US and UK.
The biggest sticking point is the viewfinder – or lack thereof. Now, the Big N would probably justify this due to the Nikon Z30’s vlogger-centric design.
However, while the Nikon Z30 did launch with decent enough video specs for the time, the lack of a headphone port was a major shortcoming for vloggers. And while no 4K 60p and IBIS (in-body image stabilization) were common within the Nikon Z30’s class, just one of those upgrades would have set it apart from the pack.
Add to that Nikon’s lack of solid video credentials in a pre-Red acquisition world and I can see why the camera has been a bit of a hard sell for Western vloggers. As for photographers, the Nikon Z30’s specs are almost identical to the original Nikon Z50, which does have a viewfinder.
No competition, right? Well, that depends on who you ask.
Shift back to the Japanese market and you have an imaging culture that holds small cameras in very high regard. The Nikon Z30 isn’t just small for an APS-C interchangeable-lens camera, it’s also extremely well-built. And not only is it rock-solid, but that deep grip means that it fits firmly in the hand.
The real magic happens when you start taking photos. Nikon is known for producing extremely high-quality RAW files and the Nikon Z30 is no exception. That APS-C 20.9MP sensor delivers the goods: files are richly detailed and pliable in post, and Nikon’s color science is top-notch.
And while it’s not a megapixel monster by today’s 40MP standards, that’s not actually a bad thing. Firstly, it means bigger photosites than a higher-resolution APS-C sensor – resulting in better low-light performance.
Secondly, it’s easier to avoid camera shake when using a 20MP sensor. Because once you’ve applied the 1.5x crop factor to the focal length in question, you can stick to the reciprocal rule rather than having to double or even triple it when using higher-resolution sensors.
Don’t forget that this is a proper Z-Series camera, meaning it’s compatible with the huge amount of Nikon Z lenses, which deliver supreme optical quality time and again.
To top it all off, the Nikon Z30 is an affordable camera. It launched with an RRP of $709.95 / £699 and nowadays you can find some absolute bargains on the used market. All that being said, I really think this camera deserves more respect here in the West!
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Interested in small interchangeable-lens cameras? Check out the Fujifilm X-E5. If you’re open to fixed-lens cameras, here are the best compact cameras. And if you like the Nikon Z30 but want something a little more advanced (and with a viewfinder), look no further than the Nikon Z50 II.
