Nikon has launched a new mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z 30. It’s a small, lightweight camera, and the company has designed it specifically for video content creators, vloggers and streamers.
Here are ten reasons to be excited about the Z 30:
4K video
The Nikon Z 30 can record 4K UHD video at up to 30p with a resolution of 3840 x 2160. If you drop the resolution to full HD, you can record up to 120p for great slow motion. In addition, the Nikon Z 30 has a 20-megapixel APS-C / DX-format CMOS sensor and captures 4K video without a crop. The camera records video to SD cards in H.264 and MPEG-4 file formats. The Z 30 can record up to 125 minutes in HD and around 35 minutes in 4K UHD.
Low-light performance
Nikon claims the Z 30 has a superior low-light performance with minimal noise and fast autofocus. The camera’s ISO range goes up to 25,600 for video and 51,200 for photos. Nikon also states that the full-time focus will continuously track you while walking with the screen in self-portrait mode, even in low light. In addition, the Z 30 has Eye Detection autofocus to keep you in focus as you move around the scene.
Vari-angle touchscreen LCD screen
The Nikon Z 30 has a bright three-inch high-resolution touchscreen LCD screen. The screen tilts to help frame low or high-angle shots. It also rotates to be front-facing, making it ideal for vloggers and content creators. In addition, there is a tally light on the front of the camera, so you can be confident that the camera is recording.
Creative picture controls
The Nikon Z 30 has a Picture Control Auto function, which adjusts the video settings according to the scene. There are also 20 different types of Creative Picture Controls to change the look of your video. Nikon also states that the camera’s precise color profiling means that scenes and skin tones are reproduced naturally and accurately straight out of the camera.
High-quality audio
The Nikon Z 30 has a built-in stereo microphone on the top of the camera to record high-quality audio. As an optional accessory, you can also get an outdoor wind muff for the built-in mic. In addition, the Z 30 has a 3.5 mm stereo input, so you can use an external microphone.
Nikon Z mount
The Nikon Z 30 has a Z mount. This means it can be used with a range of more than 30 NIKKOR Z lenses, which are currently available. NIKKOR Z glass is specially designed to address the needs of video creators with silent operation and by minimizing the breathing effect during focusing.
Lightweight design
The Nikon Z 30 is the smallest and lightest Z series mirrorless camera that Nikon has made. It weighs only 12.4 ounces and measures 5.1 inches by 2.9 inches by 2.4 inches deep. Nikon also says that the camera has been designed to be balanced and comfortable to hold for long periods of time.
USB power
The Nikon Z 30 uses the EN-EL25 rechargeable Li-ion battery. Nikon state this will allow the camera to record around 75 minutes of video. You can also use an external USB-C power source with the Nikon Z 30 to avoid the need to swap batteries.
SnapBridge App
You can use the free Nikon SnapBridge App to connect the Z 30 to your iOS or Android smartphone. You can use the app to send videos and images to your phone wirelessly. In addition, with the app, you can use your phone as a remote control to start and stop your recordings.
Still camera features
Of course, the Nikon Z 30 can also take 20 MP still photographs in resolutions up to 5,568 by 3,712 pixels. The camera can also shoot still images at up to 11 fps. In addition, you can also take a photograph while recording video to capture the perfect selfie.
Pricing and availability
The Nikon Z 30 will be available from mid-July 2022. You buy it as a body only for $709 or with a NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 lens for $849 SRP. You can also get a two-lens kit with the NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 lens for $1,199. From November, the Z 30 will also be available with the NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 lens for $1,149 SRP.
Nikon is also launching a Creators Accessory Kit, which will retail at $149. This will include a SmallRig Tripod Grip, the Nikon ML-L7 Bluetooth remote control and the Rode VideoMicro Microphone. The hot shoe-mounted Wind Muff for the built-in microphone will cost $10.