Nikon Z30 Camera Designed for Vloggers and Content Creators

June 29, 2022 | Mark Goldstein | Compact System Camera | Comment |

Nikon have just launched the Z30, a new mirrorless camera aimed squarely at vloggers.

Offering 4K/30p and FHD 120p video with up to 125 minute maximum recording time (Full HD), the new Z30 is targeting a brand new market for Nikon.

This camera has a 20.9 megapixel DX-format sensor that's very similar to the existing Z50, so the stills and video quality and resolution will be essentially the same, with a maximum ISO of 51200 for stills and 25600 for video.

Other key features include a 3-inch vari-angle LCD screen (the Z50 has a tilting screen), 11fps burst shooting, a very large video record button, and the ability to power the camera through a USB-C port.

Nikon have said that the auto-focusing system is more like the Z6 and Z7 models, rather than the flagship Z9, and there is no EVF on this camera or the ability to fit one.

The most affordable Z-series camera to date will go on sale on July 14th 2022 priced at £699 / $709.95 body only, £839 / $849.95 with the Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens, and £1069 / $1199.95 with the Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR and Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR lenses.

In the UK there's also a special Vlogger kit that includes the Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens, ML-L7 Remote, SmallRig Tripod and SmallRig Windmuff for £879.

Nikon told us that the new Z30 is not intended to be a direct replacement for the D3500 and D5600 DSLRs, despite being similarly priced.

Nikon UK Press Release

London, United Kingdom, 29th June 2022: Today, Nikon is delighted to announce a game-raising vlogging camera, the Nikon Z 30. Small, capable, and super-simple to use, the Z 30 mirrorless camera is for anyone who wants to move beyond a smartphone and create better-looking, better-sounding vlogs—plus keep photo feeds engaging with richly detailed stills.

Product unboxings to recipes, travel to parkour, the Z 30 makes it easy to create vibrant, professional-looking vlogs that have the clarity, depth, and clear sound you’d expect from top-class vloggers and streamers. The camera’s DX-format image sensor (which is much larger than a smartphone’s image sensor) enables the kind of sharp, richly detailed video that’s just not possible to achieve with a smartphone. Vloggers can record long takes with up to 125 minutes1 of uninterrupted video footage and full-time autofocus is available while recording. The Z 30 uses the full width of its sensor to enable a 100% field of view (approx.)—and audio quality is excellent, courtesy of the camera’s built-in stereo mic or an external microphone.

It’s never been easier to create content that pops straight from the camera, and there’s no limit to the stories that can be told using the Z 30—and Nikon’s rapidly expanding range of NIKKOR Z lenses. The vari-angle touchscreen monitor makes it easy to shoot from any angle, and a deep grip allows stable handheld shooting, even when holding the camera at arm’s length. Changing the look of a vlog is as easy as changing lenses, and the Z 30 is packed with advanced automatic functions for even more creative control. However vloggers imagine their content evolving, the Z 30 gives them the space to turn those ideas into reality.

Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager, Nikon Europe says: “We’re really excited to welcome the youngest member of the Nikon Z family. This small yet mighty vlogging camera is a huge step up from a smartphone. Not only do users get a much bigger image sensor—which is vital for capturing footage that stands out—but they also get the freedom to grow their kit as they get more experienced, or want to try creating new styles of content.”

Summary of key features: Nikon Z 30

Next-level vlogs: record up to 125 minutes1 of uninterrupted video. Captivate followers with timelapse movies, or smooth slow motion in Full HD (120p).

Thrilling image quality: large DX-format 20.9 MP CMOS sensor delivers richly detailed videos and stills. Nikon’s electronic Vibration Reduction keeps video footage nice and steady.

Crisp, clear sound: record audio via sensitive built-in stereo mic—or an optional external mic. Control the environment with the onboard wind-noise reduction function.

Vari-angle touchscreen monitor: makes shooting first-person vlogs or selfies a breeze.

Video AF mode: employs full-time autofocus to take the work out of focusing. Ideal when shooting action or first-person vlogs while on the move.

Self-portrait mode: turn the monitor to face forwards and the camera instantly clears the screen for an unobstructed portrait view.

Eye- and Animal-Detection AF: available for stills and video. Maintains focus on the eyes of people, or those of cats and dogs, even if they momentarily turn away from the camera.

11 fps: fast, continuous stills shooting with full AF/AE lets users capture Insta-perfect photos in the midst of the action.

Effortless shooting: the video-record button is positioned on top of the camera for easy access in any orientation, and users can save separate settings for video and stills—then switch between them as needed.

Creative Picture Controls: 20 in-camera filters for video and stills. All customisable and visible in real time while shooting.

Easy connection and sharing: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi make it easy to connect almost anywhere. Nikon’s SnapBridge app lets users transfer video and stills to their smart device.

Included USB-C cable: wire up to provide constant power to the Z 30: livestream a vlog and charge the camera’s battery at the same time.

Interchangeable lenses: choose from the complete range of NIKKOR Z lenses—or attach Nikon’s optional Mount Adapter FTZ II and use Nikon DSLR F-mount lenses.

Vlogging accessories: compatible with a plethora of popular vlogging accessories. Users can also purchase specially curated Nikon vlogger’s kits, with all the gear they need to take their vlogs to the next level.

1 In Full HD/24p/25p at 25℃/77℉. The camera’s ability to always achieve the full 125 minutes is dependent on conditions like battery life or the camera’s internal temperature. Approx. 35 minutes of recording time is available in 4K UHD.

UK Pricing

Z 30 body only

£699.00 (UK)

€829.00 (ROI)

Z 30 standard kit

(Z 30 + Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR)

£839.00 (UK)

€999.00 (ROI)

Z 30 double zoom kit

(Z 30 + Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR + Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR)

£1069.00 (UK)

€1269.00 (ROI)

Z 30 vlogger kit

(Z 30 + Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR + ML-L7 Remote + SmallRig Tripod + SmallRig Windmuff)

£879.00 (UK)

€1039.00 (ROI)

US Pricing

The new Nikon Z 30 will be available in mid-July 2022 in a variety of kit configurations; As a body only for $709.95 SRP*, with a NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 lens for $849.95 SRP*, or as a two lens kit with the NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 for $1199.95 SRP*. The camera will also be available with the NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 lens for $1149.95 SRP* starting in November. Nikon will also offer a Creators Accessory Kit for $149.95 SRP*, which will include a SmallRig Tripod Grip, the Nikon ML-L7 bluetooth remote control, plus the Rode VideoMicro Microphone. A hot shoe-mounted Wind Muff for the built-in microphone will also be available for $9.95 SRP*.

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