Melville, NY—Nikon’s newest mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, the Nikon Z 30, is specifically for video content creators, vloggers and streamers. The small, lightweight camera features ease of use to create pro-looking 4K UHD 30p video.
The budget-friendly Z 30 offers many advanced features, including its ability to create video with the main subject in sharp focus along with artistically blurred backgrounds. In addition, it provides quality audio; better low-light performance; a swiveling front-facing LCD; a rec lamp; a mic input; as well as simple controls.
“A real camera with interchangeable lenses is a big leap in a creator’s personal evolution,” said Jay Vannatter, executive vice president, Nikon Inc. “We want to support creators by taking the guesswork out of how to get the best production value, which helps them to take their creativity further and grow their communities.”
Nikon Z 30 Creator-Centric Features
The camera’ s 20-megapixel APS-C/DX-format CMOS image sensor captures sharp, high-res still images, in any light. Moreover, creators can use fully automatic modes or benefit from advanced settings. In addition, it can capture people and pets at 11 frames per sec via its mechanical shutter, with the benefit of eye-detection AF. In addition, its ISO range goes up to 25,600 for video and ISO 51,200 for photos.
The new ILC also boasts a front-facing, vari-angle touchscreen LCD that lets users see themselves in the scene as they compose shots, confirm the frame and adjust focus. The bright 3-inch high-res screen permits them to swipe, pinch and zoom through playback and menus. It also tilts to frame unique angles from below the hip or from above.
What’s more, if users like what they see in the LCD, they can snap a selfie while recording video. Plus, even in low light, full-time focus continuously tracks while users are walking with the screen in self-portrait mode.
Other video features include Full HD up to 120p recording for slow-motion effects. Also, the Z 30 captures 4K with no additional crop, so none of the frame is lost. What’s more, its picture control auto function adjusts the video settings according to the scene. Further, the ILC offers more than two hours (125 minutes) of recording time.
There are also 20 types of creative picture controls to add creative flair to videos; they also eliminate the need for extra color grading. Additionally, Nikon’s color profiling reproduces scenes and skin tones naturally out of camera.
Additional Features
In addition, the camera’s rec lamp acts as a tally light; it illuminates on the front of the camera to confirm recording. Other features include a built-in stereo microphone; an additional input for a more powerful external stereo or directional microphone; and the ability to record to SD cards.
Videographers can also keep the camera running using an external USB-C power source. As a result, they don’t need to swap batteries during a shoot. The camera also works with Nikon’s free Webcam Utility streaming software to integrate for streaming or web conferences.
Moreover, with the Nikon SnapBridge app, the ILC is always connected to the user’s phone (iOS/Android) for automatic transfer of images. They can also connect to wirelessly send videos from the Z 30 to a device. In addition, with the app, they can use a smartphone as a remote control to start and stop recording.
The Nikon Z 30 sells in various kit configurations with the following suggested retail prices: body only, $709.95; with a Nikkor Z DX 16–50mm f/3.5–6.3 lens, $849.95; and as a two-lens kit with the Nikkor Z DX 50–250mm f/4.5–6.3, $1,199.95.
Nikon will also bundle the Z 30 camera with the Nikkor Z DX 18–140mm f/3.5–6.3 lens for $1,149.95 this November. In addition, a Creators Accessory Kit will retail for $149.95. It will include a SmallRig tripod grip; the Nikon ML-L7 Bluetooth remote control; plus the Rode VideoMicro microphone. A hot shoe-mounted wind muff for the camera’s built-in microphone will also sell for $9.95.
