Decision tools · Compare
1 J5 vs Z30
Quick take: The Z30 has the highest resolution at 21MP; the 1 J5 is the most affordable.
Where the 1 J5 wins
- Cheaper new: £93 vs £629
- Burst Rate: 20fps
- Weight: 265g (with battery)
Where the Z30 wins
- Resolution: 20.9MP
- Battery Life: ~300 shots (CIPA)
- Portrait: 6.3 vs 3.9
- Wedding & Events: 4.8 vs 2.9
- Filmmaking: 5.0 vs 3.2
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video, Clifton Cameras, MPB, eBay and Amazon UK
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- 1 J5 98 × 60 × 32 mm · 265 g
- Z30 128 × 74 × 60 mm · 405 g
The 1 J5 is 30 mm narrower, 14 mm shorter, 28 mm slimmer and 140 g lighter than the Z30.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
Verdictwhich should you buy?
Z30 — Travel & Everyday Video: Nikon's lightest Z-mount body — no fuss, excellent subject tracking, and a flip screen for creators.
Who should buy what
Z30 (2022)
is the right camera for you if…
- Vloggers and content creators who don't need an EVF
- Beginners entering the Nikon Z system at the lowest price point
- Streamers who want a compact interchangeable-lens camera for desk use
- Travel and lifestyle shooters who want a compact APS-C Z body
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | 1 J5Nikon · 2015 | Z30Nikon · 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £93 usedBest | £629 |
| Sensor | 20.8MP 1-inch (CX) BSI CMOS | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.8MP | 20.9MPBest |
| Video | 4K UHD/15p, 1080p/60 | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF: 171 areas, 105 with phase detection; face detection, subject tracking | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 20fpsBest | 11fps |
| Battery Life | ~250 shots (CIPA) | ~300 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 265g (with battery)Best | 405g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 98.3 × 59.7 × 31.5mm | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | None (rear screen only) | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon 1 | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single microSD slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
1 J5
Z30
Portrait
3.9/10
6.3/10
Street
6.7/10
6.5/10
Travel
6.1/10
5.8/10
Wedding & Events
2.9/10
4.8/10
Filmmaking
3.2/10
5.0/10
Documentary
4.1/10
5.4/10
Sports & Action
4.5/10
5.6/10
Landscape
3.9/10
4.9/10
Wildlife
4.3/10
6.1/10
Casual
5.1/10
7.3/10
Food
4.6/10
6.8/10
Macro
3.4/10
6.0/10
Architecture
3.4/10
5.3/10
Astrophotography
2.6/10
5.4/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.3/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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