Expert review Nikon Z30
Nikon Z30 Vlog Kit
- With this kit, you'll have all accessories at hand to make stable recordings with good audio quality.
- The camera is very compact, so you can easily take it on a trip.
- You can use the 16-50mm lens for landscape, architectural, and portrait photography, or to record yourself and your surroundings.
- The 16-50mm lens gets less light-sensitive when you zoom, due to the variable aperture.
- There's no viewfinder on this camera, so you can only choose the frame with the touchscreen.
First impression
I notice that the camera doesn't have a viewfinder. This makes the camera very compact and it easily fits in your backpack or handbag. That also means you can take photos and record videos via the foldable touchscreen. Via this screen, you can also choose the frame of your image. I need to get used to it, because I'm used to a viewfinder. This camera will feel intuitive if this is your first camera or if you often take photos with your smartphone.
Design
The screen of this camera is completely folds out and swivels. This allows me to see myself clearly while I'm vlogging. The fold-out screen is a great solution to take photos from difficult angles. The camera is small and compact. I have relatively large hands, but I can easily reach every button. The sturdy grip is also useful while I vlog. This way, I can easily record at arms length to capture my surroundings.
Creative editing options
With the Creative Picture control function, I can edit the photos I took. I can choose one of the 20 profiles, which look like filters. This allows me to adjust the ambience, color, and lighting of my photos with 1 press of the button. I can make small adjustments on the touchscreens, such as the saturation. In addition, I can send the edited photos to my phone via WiFi. I think that's a useful and user-friendly function, because I can share my photos on social media right away.
Audio quality
The Nikon Z30 has a built-in stereo microphone. This way, you don't need an external microphone when you vlog. I notice that the sound of the camera is very good. The sound is especially clear when I walk outside on the street. In a closed space or an area with more buildings, I hear the sound a bit less clear. In these situations, I recommend an external microphone.
Image quality
I'm very happy with the image quality. The vlog footage is sharp and clear, thanks to the maximum resolution of 4K at 30 fps. The camera records in 4K without crop, so nothing falls outside the frame. I can record at 120 fps for slow-motion footage, so I can slow the footage down a lot. I'm most impressed by the photos I take with the camera. The dynamic reach of the photos is large, So I have enough options to adjust the photo to my liking when I edit it.
Conclusion
The Nikon Z30 is a compact mirrorless camera that you can easily take with you. You can mainly use this camera for vlogs, but the photo quality is also good. Audio quality of the Z30 stands out, so you don't need an external microphone in most cases. If you're used to taking photos with a viewfinder, you'll have to get used to the camera. But it's a compact all-rounder.
