Nikon Z30 vs Nikon Z50
- Nikon Z30 vs Nikon Z50: Overview
- Nikon Z30 vs Nikon Z50: Imaging Performance
- Nikon Z30 vs Nikon Z50: Video Performance
- Recommended Nikon Z Mount Lenses
- Final Thoughts on the Nikon Z30 vs Nikon Z50
- Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
- Nikon Nikkor Z 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR
- Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S
- Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S
- Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S
Nikon is one of the premiere camera companies in the world, and two of their most sought-after models are the Nikon Z30 and Nikon Z50. Having said that, if you are on the fence between these two popular Nikon mirrorless cameras and want to compare and contrast them, you’ve come to the right place!
In this Nikon Z30 vs Z50 review, we share everything you need to know about these two cameras. We’ll start with general overviews of the cameras before breaking down their individual photo and video capabilities. Also, thanks to innovative online platforms like MPB, buying a pre-owned mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier than it is today.
MPB is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling pre-owned photo and video gear at unbeatable prices. All their cameras and lenses are carefully hand-inspected by professionally-trained product specialists and backed by six-month warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
We’ve been using MPB’s online marketplace to buy, sell, and trade in camera equipment for longer than we can remember, and not once have we been disappointed by the quality of their products and services. That’s why we are stoked to recommend them to you here today. Now, it’s time to look closer at the Nikon Z30 vs Z50 and see which one best fits you and your needs!
Check out the video above by Praveen Bhat Photography for a detailed head-to-head camera comparison of the Nikon Z30 vs Z50.
Table of Contents
Nikon Z30 vs Nikon Z50: Overview
Nikon Z30
The Nikon Z30 was released in 2022, while the Z50 first launched in 2019. Both cameras house identical 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensors and Expeed 6 image processing engines. Together with the Nikon Z fc, they make up the company’s DX camera lineup of crop sensor mirrorless cameras.
The Z30 and Z50 are lighter than the average mirrorless or DSLR camera, but because the Z30 doesn’t have a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) or flash, it is considerably more compact than the Z50. The improved portability makes the Z30 our preferred camera for traveling and everyday use.
Nikon Z50
Another shared strength of the Nikon Z30 vs Z50 is their handling and ergonomics. Both boast well-placed control dials and buttons, and the menu systems are user-friendly and easy to navigate. On top of that, there are plenty of customization options, allowing you to best set up the cameras to meet your shooting requirements.
The cameras have three other notable design features in common: single memory card slots, built-in Wi-Fi, and touchscreen rear LCDs. One thing to note is that the Z30’s screen is fully articulating, while the Z50’s only tilts (up by 90° and down by 180°).
Nikon Z30 vs Nikon Z50: Imaging Performance
Nikon Z30
For still photography, the Nikon Z50 is clearly superior to the Z30. Although the cameras have the same imaging sensors (meaning they will produce images with the same resolution), the Z30's lack of an EVF is the one giant difference. The Z50’s large EVF makes it much easier to consistently compose and capture high-quality photos.
If you want to quickly and easily shoot flash photography, you will also want to go with the Z50. It has a built-in pop-up flash for shooting at night or in poorly lit environments. Alternatively, since the Z30 has no built-in flash, you will be forced to purchase an external one to shoot flash photography with the Z30.
Nikon Z50
The rest of their imaging capabilities are identical. For example, they both can shoot JPEG and RAW files, have impressive dynamic range scores (in RAW), and produce photos with gorgeous colors. If you plan to edit your photos in post-production, it’s always better to shoot in RAW because they store more data and give you more control and flexibility.
Additionally, both cameras can shoot continuously at speeds up to 11 frames per second. That’s the same max shooting speed found on similarly priced Sony mirrorless cameras like the a6100 and a6500. This makes the Z30 and Z50 good options for photographing moving subjects, such as sports, action, and wildlife photography.
Which is the best Nikon camera for imaging? The Nikon Z50 reigns supreme!
Learn More:
Nikon Z30 vs Nikon Z50: Video Performance
Nikon Z30
The headlining video feature of the Nikon Z30 and the Nikon Z50 is their 4K video capabilities. Both cameras record stunning 4K video footage at frame rates of 24, 25, and 30 frames per second (fps). If you are filming for a vlog or social media, we usually recommend shooting at 30 fps. However, if you want your content to have a cinematic look, use 24 fps.
The Z30 and Z50 can also record beautiful slow-motion video clips directly in the camera in 1080p/120p Full HD. Slow-motion content has seen a huge boom in popularity in recent years on YouTube and other social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. And not having to manually slow down the footage in post-production will save you tons of time.
Nikon Z50
Now, let’s get to the differences. The primary difference when using these Nikon cameras in video mode is the recording time limit. While the Z50 has a maximum capture time of only 30 minutes, the Z30 can shoot forever! That makes the Z30 an ideal camera to use for live streaming or as a webcam.
Speaking of live streaming, unfortunately, the Z50 doesn’t have live streaming capabilities. On the other hand, the Z30 can live stream directly to platforms like YouTube and Twitch, making it a popular choice for vloggers and gamers. The last thing we want to point out is that the Z30 has a slightly better battery life than the Z50 and can record for around 2 hours.
Which is the best Nikon camera for video? It’s close, but the Z30 takes it!
Recommended Nikon Z Mount Lenses
Nikon Z50 with 16-50mm lens
Here’s a quick list of the best Nikon Z Mount lenses for photo and video to pair with the Nikon Z30 and Z50. They are listed by price in ascending order.
Final Thoughts on the Nikon Z30 vs Nikon Z50
Nikon Z30 with 16-50mm lens
We appreciate you taking the time to read our Nikon Z30 vs Z50 camera comparison guide. As you can see, the Z30 and Z50 are both excellent digital cameras. However, they are better suited to create different types of content. With that in mind, here are our final recommendations.
The Nikon Z30 is a more video-oriented camera, making it the better option for beginner vloggers, YouTubers, and influencers. On the other hand, hybrid shooters who regularly take photos and videos will prefer working with the Nikon Z50. If you want a professional camera, check out the list below of full-frame Nikon mirrorless cameras at MPB:
