Nikon registers new cameras: Nikon Z5 and Nikon Z30?

Nikon registers new cameras: Nikon Z5 and Nikon Z30?
Is this the new, 24MP Nikon Z30? (Image credit: Design Watch)

Nikon could be preparing to reveal the Nikon Z5 and Nikon Z30, after the manufacturer registered a pair of new camera bodies with a certification agency. 

According to a new report, the Nikon Z5 would be a full-frame mirrorless system (joining the FX Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7) while the Nikon Z30 would be an APS-C body (joining the Nikon Z50), with both being entry level cameras.

The smoke is accompanied by fire, as Japanese super sleuth Nokishita spotted that Nikon has registered two new cameras with a Russian certification body, with the registration numbers "N1929" and "N1932".

• Read more: Camera rumors

This happened in perfect step with an independent story by Nikon Rumors noting that the manufacturer is set to release two new entry level Z-system cameras in 2020 (followed by the Nikon Z8 / Z9, a professional grade body that will follow in late 2020 or 2021).

"The entry-level full-frame camera should be called Nikon Z5 and it will be positioned under the Z6. The entry-level APS-C model should be called Nikon Z30 and will be positioned under the current Z50," wrote the site.

"It is highly possible that Nikon will announce both the Z5 and the Z30 at the same time, but I cannot confirm that. I do not have a specific time frame yet, but my guess is that we will see the new Z5 and Z30 cameras in the next 3 months."

So what can we expect from these new bodies? Well, according to our own Nikon rumors, the Nikon Z30 looks to be a super-small DX camera with no electronic viewfinder, a fixed LCD screen, a single microSD card slot and a 24 or 26MP sensor.

While we have no further information on the Nikon Z5, it seems likely that it would also strip away a few features from the next model up (the Z6), so we could be looking at a similar EVF-free body with a fixed screen, only with an FX mount.

With big announcements on the horizon from Canon and Sony in the next couple of months, we can't wait to hear more from Nikon on these new cameras. 

Read more: 

Camera rumors: what cameras are coming, officially and otherwise!
The best Nikon camera: including Nikon DSLRs, Nikon Z and Coolpix
Best Nikon Z lenses: best lens for Z6, Z7 and Z50 mirrorless cameras

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.