After I reviewed the Nikon Z30 , I awarded it 4 stars. I preferred it. However I didn’t suppose it was going to fly off the cabinets. Turns on the market’s a motive why I’m not making the large cash selections at Nikon HQ: as a result of the Nikon Z30 has been promoting very effectively of late.
In February my colleague, Hillary Okay Grigonis, reported on the way it was shortly turning into Nikon’s best-selling digital camera . Information from BCN+R , listed the Nikon Z30 because the sixth best-selling digital camera in Japan in 2024, with the outlet additionally crowning it the most-sold digital camera in Japan initially of February.
It appears the resurgence in compact cameras has boosted the Nikon Z30’s attraction exponentially. And whereas it’s not strictly a compact digital camera, it’s a very compact interchangeable lens digital camera. Positive, the Nikon Z30’s absence of 4K 60p is missing in 2025 (the Sony ZV-E10 II ’s 10-bit 4:2:2 4K 60p and 6K oversampling has it comfortably beat) however the place the Z30 nonetheless reigns supreme is its construct high quality.
You’d have a tough time discovering a extra premium-feeling digital camera in the marketplace for the Z30’s present of $600 / £600 / AU$1,200 asking value. In truth it’d simply be high canine in that regard, interval.
It additionally boasts a extremely strong grip, making it really feel very comfy within the hand. And because it’s an interchangeable-lens digital camera, you achieve entry to Nikon’s formidable vary of Z-mount lenses.
The Canon EOS R50 V appears like a unbelievable entry-level video digital camera (Picture credit score: Chris George)
However maybe the largest type of flattery for the getting old Z30 is Canon ’s newest digital camera announcement, the Canon EOS R50 V . Evidently, Canon thinks there’s room out there for a Z30-style digital camera, and it’s obtained me champing on the bit for a Nikon Z30 II.
Trying on the spec record, I see the Canon can shoot 4K 60p at 10-bit 4:2:2, which I feel is an absolute should for a next-gen Z30. You additionally get oversampled 6K at 10-bit 4:2:2 4K 30p, which is good, though it’d be a boon if Nikon may enhance that to 4K 60p.
Now, the Canon does lack in-body picture stabilization – just like the Z30 – which might be a beautiful characteristic for Nikon to implement. However it’s value noting that we’re speaking about extraordinarily aggressive pricing right here, in order that may be somewhat an excessive amount of to ask. Different neat options on the brand new Canon is an influence zoom lever, and a tripod thread on the bottom and grip aspect of the digital camera.
And effectively finished Canon for together with a headphone jack; that was one in all my largest gripes after I reviewed the Z30. Certainly Nikon will rectify that the second time round. And eventually, I’d like to see a brighter rear LCD display from a brand new Z30. In any case, there’s no viewfinder to look via, and it is a video-centric digital camera.
I will sit up for seeing how the Canon fares in our ultimate overview – it is actually an thrilling time in the event you’re simply moving into videography.