In a previous article, I laid out my reasoning for purchasing the Nikon Z30 as my B camera for video. Here's the TL;DR: I am lazy and don't want to take my Z6II off the tripod to shoot B-roll.
I've been using the Z30 primarily for video for several weeks now, with some photography sprinkled in at times. It's a simple little camera that packs a big punch. For what I need, it is serving me well.
Now, despite being an honorary Nikon fanboy (too lazy to switch systems), I should highlight some downsides to this camera. I mentioned some of them briefly in my previous article, but I want to go a little more in-depth on each. This camera is marketed to the entry-level consumer crowd who might not fully understand or appreciate some of these drawbacks.
No IBIS
In-Body Image Stabilization, or IBIS for short, is a hardware feature that stabilizes the camera sensor when shooting in situations that cause excessive camera movement. For example, most vloggers will find themselves in situations where they are walking and talking to a camera. With IBIS, the sensor is stabilized to prevent excessive camera shake in the footage. The end result is smooth and clean video. Without it, the video can be jittery and probably cause a lot of your audience to click away or otherwise find themselves retching up their lunch in a nearby trash can. All that being said, you want IBIS.
The Z30, unfortunately, does not have IBIS. Nikon most likely excluded this feature to cut production costs so that the Z30 fell into a more affordable price point for new users. Instead, it has digital image stabilization. Now, think of digital image stabilization as off-brand Coke. Sure, it looks the same, but it's not. Digital image stabilization aims to do the same as IBIS, but instead of accomplishing it through hardware, it does so via cropping. Essentially, the image is cropped in to reduce the effects of camera shake that are more evident on the edges of the video. So, if you are using a 20mm lens with digital image stabilization turned on, the lens will look more like a 24mm lens with the digital crop.
There are ways to avoid using digital image stabilization and thus avoid the crop factor. The easiest is to use a tripod when filming. Since the camera is stationary and not moving, you don't have to worry about camera shake. Another way is to use lenses that have image stabilization built in. The Nikon 12-28mm PZ VR lens has the ability to produce stable footage internally. Unfortunately, as of this writing, Nikon has not released many lenses that have image stabilization.
No 4K60
The Nikon Z30 can only shoot 4K up to 30p (frames per second). This is not an issue for most content creators who shoot talking head videos or have no need for slow motion. However, if you are looking to do slow motion in 4K, then the Nikon Z30 is not for you.
For proper slow motion, you need to be able to shoot at least 60p. When slowed down, 60p creates a more fluid video when compared to slower frame rates like 24p or 30p. If you film sports, action, or wildlife content, then you may want to consider another camera like the Sony A6700 or Fuji X-S20. Both can shoot 4k60p but will cost you a bit more.
Now, it is worth noting that if you DON'T NEED 4K60p, you can always drop down to Full HD (1080) on the Z30. In Full HD, you do have the option of shooting in 60p, 100p, and 120p. These options are perfectly suitable for slowing down in post.
One Card Slot
The one camera feature that separates consumer cameras from professional ones is the number of card slots. It is widely accepted that professional cameras require 2 card slots. If there is only one, then you might as well just throw that camera in the trash because you are going to absolutely lose all of your photos from the lack of redundancy. Just kidding. But you might. Who knows.
The benefit of two card slots is redundancy. If you set up your camera to record to both cards simultaneously, you lessen the risk of losing your photos or videos to a corrupted SD card. Now, with only one card slot, like with the Z30, if your card is corrupted, your photos and videos are toast.
To "kind of" mitigate this risk, it is wise to buy quality SD cards. Don't go on Amazon and buy the cheapest Chinese knock-off SD to save some money. Buy a well-known brand, like SanDisk or Lexar.
No EVF
Some of you who grew up strictly using a camera phone for photos and video will have no issue with this next drawback. But for you photogs out there, this might be a concern. The Z30 has no Electronic Viewfinder (EVF). Instead, its sole means of framing up a shot is the LCD screen.
Using the EVF vs. LCD screen for photos is more of a personal preference than a requirement. You can take the same quality of photos using either. But in terms of framing up a shot and getting the right composition, EVF is the clear winner. The EVF brings your eye "closer" to the subject. Being closer allows you to really assess the scene, vice starring at the back of the camera. Also, think about how difficult it is to look at your phone in bright mid-day sun. The EVF is great for blocking out excess light so that you can get a clear look at your subject.
The Z30 is, in my opinion, more of a video-focused camera. Therefore, not having an EVF is not a big deal to me. However, if you intend to use this camera for mostly photos, then you may be better off buying the Nikon Z50 or Zfc. These crop sensor cameras have almost identical specs to the Z30 but have the benefit of an EVF.
Should You Buy the Z30?
That is the million-dollar question. It really boils down to your needs and shooting style. If you have to have slow motion in 4K, tend to record yourself on the move, are terrified that your sole SD card will fail, and can't live without an EVF, then the Z30 is not for you.
Now, if you are not a paranoid schizophrenic, then the Z30 and its humble set of video and photo features will be more than enough. Sure, you have to make some sacrifices or accept that a bad SD card is going to ruin your day. But overall, I believe that the Z30 is going to make any new or seasoned creator happy.
.jpg)
Comments